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Correctional Health Nurse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Certified Correctional Health Professional Registered Nurse (CCHP-RN) certification. Experience working as a nurse in a correctional facility. Experience providing hands-on health care. PHYSICAL ...

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Correctional Health Nurse information

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$15

$36

$59

How much do correctional health nurse jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for correctional health nurse in the United States is $36.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.12 and $43.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a correctional health nurse?

A Correctional Health Nurse is a registered nurse who provides healthcare services to inmates within correctional facilities such as prisons or jails. Their responsibilities include assessing patient health, administering medications, managing chronic conditions, responding to emergencies, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. These nurses play a crucial role in maintaining the physical and mental health of incarcerated individuals, often working in challenging and high-security environments. They must also adhere to strict safety protocols and understand the unique healthcare needs of the incarcerated population.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a correctional health nurse?

To thrive as a Correctional Health Nurse, you need a solid background in nursing practice, assessment, and emergency care, usually supported by an active RN license and experience in correctional or acute care settings. Familiarity with electronic medical records, medication administration systems, and security protocols is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, resilience, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to de-escalate tense situations help nurses excel in this unique environment. These skills and qualities are important to ensure the safety, well-being, and effective care of incarcerated individuals while maintaining a secure environment.

What unique challenges might a correctional health nurse face when providing care in a correctional facility?

Correctional Health Nurses often navigate complex challenges such as maintaining professional boundaries, ensuring personal safety, and managing limited resources while delivering quality care. The patient population may present with higher rates of chronic illness, mental health issues, and substance use disorders than the general public. Additionally, nurses must adapt to strict security protocols and collaborate closely with correctional officers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure both effective care and institutional safety. Developing strong communication and de-escalation skills is essential for success in this environment.

What is the difference between Correctional Health Nurse vs Correctional Staff Nurse?

AspectCorrectional Health NurseCorrectional Staff Nurse
CredentialsRN license, possibly correctional health certificationsRN license, general nursing certifications
Work EnvironmentPrison or jail healthcare facilitiesPrison or jail healthcare facilities
Employer & IndustryCorrectional facilities, healthcare providersCorrectional facilities, healthcare providers
Job FocusProviding healthcare services, managing inmate health issuesAssisting with general nursing duties, supporting healthcare teams

Correctional Health Nurses specialize in providing healthcare within correctional facilities, focusing on inmate health management. Correctional Staff Nurses may perform similar duties but often have a broader role supporting general nursing tasks. Both roles require RN licensure and work in correctional environments, but Correctional Health Nurses typically have additional training in inmate health issues and correctional protocols.

What cities are hiring for Correctional Health Nurse jobs?

Cities with the most Correctional Health Nurse job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Correctional Health Nurse jobs?

The top employers for Correctional Health Nurse jobs are:

What states have the most Correctional Health Nurse jobs?

States with the most job openings for Correctional Health Nurse jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Correctional Health Nurse jobs?

For Correctional Health Nurse jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Correctional Health Nurse job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,096 per year, or $36.1 per hour.

Correctional Health Nurse III

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

$84K - $148K/yr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Fairfax County rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Correctional Health Nurse III

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfaxcounty/jobs/newprint/5459584)

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Correctional Health Nurse III

Salary

$84,670.14 - $148,172.75 Annually

Location

ADULT DETENTION CENTER, 10520 JUDICIAL DR, FAIRFAX (FJ23), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

26-01309

Department

Sheriff

Opening Date

08/29/2026

Closing Date

9/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S28

Posting Type

Open to General Public

  • Description

  • Benefits

  • Questions

Job Announcement

*$10,000 Sign-on Bonus

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is committed to providing world-class public safety with honor, courage, and a dedication to service. We are the largest sheriff's office in Virginia with over 600 professional men and women. We serve a population of over 1.1 million citizens in one of the most diverse counties in the nation. We are looking for medical professionals who want to contribute to the outstanding quality of life that Fairfax citizens currently enjoy.

This position is located in the Medical Section of the Adult Detention Facility. As the team supervisor, counsels, guides, directs, and supervises subordinates in the administration of appropriate and effective inmate health care, and participates in the development of procedures for delivery of health care. Oversees and administers routine and emergency health care delivered by team to inmates. Ensures that: subordinates adhere to agency operating procedures and health care standards; there is adequate staff coverage for all medical workstations; medications are properly receipted, stored, distributed, administered, and documented; and proper protective equipment is worn and used by staff. Oversees the proper disposal and destruction of soiled and contaminated clothing and equipment. Evaluates the work performance of subordinates. Serves as a liaison with community and family members.

Schedule: 12.5 hours on a squad schedule, will work 15 days per month, equal to 87.5 hours per two-week pay period. Day or Night Shift depending on the needs of the agency. The incumbent may receive additional pay, such as night and evening differential, foreign language stipend, holidays, environmental stipend. May receive annual performance increases as allowed by the county budget.

*This position includes a sign-on bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $10,000 (full-time). This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

  • As the team supervisor, counsels, guides, directs, and supervises subordinates in the administration of appropriate and effective inmate health care, and participates in the development of procedures for delivery of health care;

  • Oversees and administers routine and emergency health care to inmates;

  • Ensures that subordinates adhere to agency operating procedures and health care standards adopted by the Virginia Board of Corrections, the American Correctional Association, the Virginia Board of Health Professionals, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC);

  • Ensures adequate staff coverage for all medical work stations;

  • Ensures preliminary physical examinations are completed as mandated by NCCHC;

  • Ensures blood for DNA analysis is drawn;

  • Ensures medications are properly receipted, stored, distributed, administered, and documented;

  • Reviews orders directed by the staff physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, or psychiatrist, and manages the administration of such orders;

  • Serves as the resource nurse for the health care team, and as quality improvement nurse as designated;

  • Makes final decision regarding care or treatment of inmates that can be resolved at the shift level, deferring to higher level medical personnel as needed;

  • Discusses and counsels inmates on complaints and grievances related to health care;

  • Educates and counsels inmates on special health care needs;

  • Consults with inmate's families and attorneys regarding health care delivery;

  • Ensures that proper protective equipment is worn and used by staff, and oversees the proper disposal and destruction of soiled and/or contaminated clothing and equipment;

  • Evaluates the work performance of subordinates.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

  • Thorough knowledge of nursing standards, theories, principles, practices, methods, and protocols;

  • Through knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, policy and procedures relating to the nursing services provision;

  • Knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision and training;

  • Knowledge of general operations in the Adult Detention Center;

  • Knowledge of available community resources for referral, continuity of care and/or community reintegration;

  • Knowledge of human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology (e.g., medication therapeutic use, side effects, contraindications), preventive medicine, epidemiology, and nutrition;

  • Knowledge of federal and state pharmacology regulations specific to the storage, dispensing and administration of medications;

  • Knowledge of psychiatric, psychological, and/or sociological terminology and concepts;

  • Knowledge of substance use disorders, addiction signs and symptoms, assessment techniques, and applicable treatment interventions;

  • Ability to effectively supervise, guide, educate and motivate nursing personnel;

  • Ability to assess and monitor the effects of medical and psychiatric medications;

  • Ability to maintain security of the work environment and comply with facility rules, regulations, policies and directives;

  • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private organizations, and community medical and mental health providers;

  • Ability to maintain composure in fast-paced, potentially stressful situations.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing with a bachelor's degree in Nursing; plus, three years of post-licensure experience as a nurse, including two years in an equivalent health care setting; plus at least one year of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

  • Possession of a current license or a multistate licensure privilege to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification (Required within 12 months).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, polygraph exam, psychological exam, pre-employment medical evaluation, and clearance from the National Practitioners Database to the satisfaction of the employer.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

Must be able to work a shift work schedule which includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Emergency room or critical care nursing experience.

  • Certified Correctional Health Professional Registered Nurse (CCHP-RN) certification.

  • Experience working as a nurse in a correctional facility.

  • Experience providing hands-on health care.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Duties are performed in a correctional facility medical environment. Ability to effectively supervise the work of subordinate health care professionals; ability to quickly assess an emergency and respond appropriately. Maintain physical requirements needed to perform duties. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview) .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov . EEO/AA/TTY.

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