SEARCH CONTINUES FOR NURSE FOR WASHINGTON CO. JAIL
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office continues their search for a nurse for the County Jail.
Sheriff Otto Hanak says the office has not received a single application in their month-long search to try to fill the critical position.
Hanak says this is a hard, demanding job and he understands why there is such little interest.
According to Hanak, Washington County EMS is being called to the jail several times daily for prisoners complaining about medical issues.
Jail administrator Jerry Green says authorities must take prisoner medical complaints seriously, even though they often “fake” health problems. Green says he does not want “to put jailers in the position to make medical decisions.”
Hanak says EMS can only transport the prisoners to the hospital and cannot treat a patient unless a medical director is present. Dr. Stuart Yoffe is the jail’s medical director, who Hanak says abruptly announced his retirement at the end of the year. Yoffe tendered his resignation December 17th after Hanak says he’d originally indicated he’d maintain the post as long as needed.
Hanak says the jail will face more requirements regarding medical treatment for prisoners with the passage of the Sandra Bland Act this year by the Texas Legislature.
Hanak and Green said a plan is being developed to handle the medical needs, but the cost is unknown at this time.
Green said there are private companies that provide medical services to jails.