Correctional Nurse Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $134,700.80 - $171,974.40 Annually
Location : Orange County
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 4153HP-0726-042 (0)
Department: Health Care Agency
Division/Service Area: Correctional Health Services
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
CAREER DESCRIPTION
COMPREHENSIVE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER I
(Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
Correctional Health Services
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
Premium Pay
In addition to the hourly salary, eligible applicants may receive premium pay for the items listed below:

• Bilingual pay: Qualified employees who meet the criteria found (page 16) shall receive an additional seventy $0.70 per hour for all hours paid.
• Night Shift Differential pay: Employees assigned to a night shift shall be paid a night shift differential for each hour actually worked on the assigned night shift. Pay rate is determined by assigned shift hours found here (page 14).
• Nurse Hiring Incentive: Upon completion of new employee probation, eligible employees shall receive a one-time lump sum incentive of $1,000, within 2 pay periods.
• Nurse Retention: Upon completion of 10,400 service hours (approximately 5 years of service) in a Nurse classification, you will receive 3% of your annual base salary as a one-time lump sum payment.
• Jail Supplement pay: An employee in this classification who is assigned to work in an adult or juvenile correctional or institutional facility shall receive an additional $1.50 per hour for all paid hours.
• Call-Back pay: An employee in this classification who returns to work because of an agency/department request shall be eligible for Call-Back pay as detailed (page 15)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an openeligible list that will be used to fill current and future Comprehensive Care Nurse Practitioner I (CCNP I) positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days. It will remain open on a continuous basis and will close at 11:59 PM (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
THE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family, and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
THE PROGRAM Correctional Health Services (CHS) is comprised of two separate entities. Adult Correctional Health Services (ACHS) provides medical, dental, nursing, infection control, health education and pharmaceutical services at a community standard of care and provides mental health services, including 24-hour emergency triage and crisis intervention, suicide prevention, treatment beds, individual and group therapy, substance use counseling, medication assessment and discharge planning to all adult inmates in the County's five (5) correctional facilities. Juvenile Health Services (JHS) provides medical, nursing, dental and pharmaceutical services at a community standard of care for youth who reside in the County's four (4) residential facilities operated by OC Probation and Social Services Agency (SSA).
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Comprehensive Care Nurse Practitioner I (CCNP I) - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) position provides psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment, medication management, crisis intervention, and ongoing mental health care to incarcerated adults within the Orange County Jail system. Services are delivered in collaboration with psychiatrists, nursing staff, psychologists, therapists, social workers, and custody personnel.
Under clinical supervision and mentorship, the CCNP I - PMHNP will:

• Conduct psychiatric evaluations and mental status examinations.
• Assess and treat inmates with acute and chronic mental illness, including serious mental illness (SMI), co-occurring disorders, and substance use disorders.
• Prescribe, monitor, and adjust psychotropic medications pursuant to established protocols and scope of practice.
• Respond to urgent psychiatric concerns, including suicide risk, self-harm behaviors, decompensation, and psychiatric emergencies.
• Provide patient education regarding diagnoses, medications, and treatment recommendations.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning and case conferences.
• Coordinate care with psychiatrists, nursing staff, behavioral health clinicians, and custody personnel.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation within the electronic health record.
• Rotate through assigned correctional facilities and specialty housing units as needed.
• Participate in quality improvement, peer review, and ongoing professional development activities.

The CCNP I - PMHNP incumbents are required to pass a comprehensive background investigation prior to offer and acceptance of employment.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES:
Six (6) or more months of nursing experience in a psychiatric or correctional health setting is highly desired but not required.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:
Technical Knowledge:

• Performing psychiatric assessments, including interviewing patients to obtain complete medical histories as well as ordering, interpreting and evaluating diagnostic tests and examinations
• Establishing and documenting treatment plans and prognosis, maintaining records of each case that are detailed and complete for any psychiatrist/physician reviewing to evaluate the plan's effectiveness
• Following standardized protocol in initiating drug therapy, taking responsibility for appropriate dosage, indications, contradictions and side effects
• Assuming preceptorship and other supervision responsibilities for Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health nursing students as needed

Service Oriented:

• Creating a climate of patient-centered care to include confidentiality, privacy, comfort, emotional support, mutual trust, and respect
• Providing genuine and compassionate nursing care towards incarcerated clients
• Applying ethically sound solutions to complex issues related to mentally ill clients
• Relaying essential medical information efficiently to mental health staff for client's continuity of care
• Work collaboratively with other CHS staff and processes, including OC Sheriff personnel

Adaptability and Safety Focus:

• Working effectively in a changing and stressful environment, and adjusting as necessary
• Reducing jail-related liability risks by being compliant with Federal and State laws and mandated standards
• Being aware of any environmental hazards while working inside the facility
• Being alert and aware of personal safety and security while providing care and/or treatment to unstable or unpredictable clients

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must NOT have felony convictions or be on any form of probation
• Must be able to pass and maintain background investigation to the satisfaction of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. Background screening includes: completing a Personal History Form, interview with a background investigator, fingerprinting and may include a polygraph test. Some of the areas considered in the background screening include prior convictions, traffic violations, drug use and credit problems, employment history, professional references and education verification (i.e., degree, license, or official transcripts. Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.)
• The Correctional facilities are a 24-hour, 7 day a week facility, incumbents must be able to work on weekends, evenings or night shift and holidays

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Please click here for details on Comprehensive Care Nurse Practitioner I classification, including physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.
RECRUITMENT PROCESSHuman Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Application ScreeningApplications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step or will be placed on the eligible list.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Eligible List: Once the screening has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Veterans Employment PreferenceThe County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Gazala Yerunkar at (714) 834-3205 or
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Please note that Extra Help employees are not eligible for the benefits listed.
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
01
Please select the option that best describes your experience.

• Six (6) or more months of nursing experience in a psychiatric or correctional health setting
• Less than six (6) months of nursing experience in a psychiatric or correctional health setting

02
Please provide your California Registered Nurse license number issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing for verification.
03
Please provide your Nurse Practitioner license number issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing for verification.
04
Please provide your Nurse Practitioner Furnishing number issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing for verification.
05
Please provide your valid DEA license for Controlled Substances Level II for verification.
06
Do you possess a current Basic Life Support for Health Care Professional Card-American Heart Association or from an approved equivalent provider?If yes, please attach a copy of your BLS certification to your application.

• Yes, and I have attached a copy of my BLS.
• No, I do not,

07
Please describe any work experience you have as a Nurse Practitioner or Registered Nurse, including any experience as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric-Mental Health Registered Nurse. In your response, include the employer(s) name, dates of employment, your role, and key responsibilities. If none, write N/A.
Required Question