Correctional Health Nurse II

Description

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is seeking dedicated healthcare professionals to provide routine and emergency care to individuals in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. This position is part of the Medical Services Branch and includes a $10,000 sign‑on bonus for fully qualified new county employees (full‑time).

Responsibilities

• Serve as team leader of the medical team on a 12.5‑hour rotating shift.
• Provide guidance and support to lower‑level medical staff in delivering appropriate medical care to inmates.
• Perform quality audits to ensure compliance with agency procedures and health‑care standards (American Correctional Association, NCHC, Virginia Board of Corrections, Virginia Board of Health Professionals).
• Conduct new‑hire orientation, peer monitoring, and training; act as the medical team training officer.
• Assist the supervisor with scheduling, delegation of assignments, and development/implementation of new initiatives and processes.
• Provide direct health‑care services to Adult Detention Center inmates, including admission interviews, medical/ dental/ mental‑health screenings, and assessments.
• Administer therapeutic nursing services such as tests (PPD, pregnancy), injections, medication dispensing, and vital‑sign collection.
• Review and interpret laboratory and diagnostic results for practitioner follow‑up.
• Assess and identify co‑occurring mental‑health issues, determine risk of harm, and coordinate referrals to physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, mental‑health or substance‑use professionals.
• Manage acute and chronic disease processes, including withdrawal/detoxification of alcohol and drugs.
• Administer medications in accordance with authorized orders and standard operating procedures.
• Document all treatment and counseling in appropriate records.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment and maintain universal precautions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of nursing standards, theories, principles, practices, methods, and protocols.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and procedures related to nursing services.
• Knowledge of training principles and techniques.
• Understanding of general operations in an adult detention center.
• Familiarity with community resources for referral, continuity of care, and reintegration.
• Knowledge of human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, preventive medicine, epidemiology, and nutrition.
• Knowledge of federal and state pharmacology regulations for medication storage, dispensing, and administration.
• Knowledge of psychiatric, psychological, and sociological terminology and concepts.
• Knowledge of substance‑use disorders, assessment techniques, and treatment interventions.
• Ability to guide, educate, and motivate nursing personnel.
• Ability to assess and monitor 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing, plus one year of post‑licensure nursing experience; or an associate’s degree accredited by the National League for Nursing (or equivalent) plus two years of post‑licensure nursing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working as a nurse in an Emergency Room (ER) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
• Experience working as a nurse in correctional health.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license or multistate licensure privilege to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification (required within 12 months of hire).

Special Requirements

• Completion of a criminal background check, pre‑employment medical evaluation, polygraph exam, psychological exam, and clearance from the National Practitioners Database.
• Designation as emergency/essential services personnel (required to report for duty during inclement weather or other emergencies).
• Ability to work a shift schedule that includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to quickly assess an emergency and respond appropriately.
• Capability to perform duties in a correctional facility medical environment.
• Maintain physical stamina needed for the role; accommodations may be provided as required.

Selection Procedure

• Panel interview (may include an exercise).

Compensation and Schedule

• Sign‑on bonus: $10,000 (full‑time, fully qualified new county employee).
• Shift: 12.5‑hour rotating squad schedule, 15 days per month (87.5 hours per two‑week pay period).
• Day shift: 6:30 am – 7:00 pm; Night shift: 6:30 pm – 7:00 am.
• Additional compensation may include evening/night differential, foreign‑language stipend, holiday pay, and environmental stipend.
• Annual performance increases may be provided as permitted by the County budget.