Psychiatric Nurse 1/2 (PCN 20-8649)

Job Description

Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased 3%. The Alaska Department of Corrections, Division of Health and Rehabilitation Services, is recruiting for a Psychiatric Nurse 1/2 position located at the Anchorage Correctional Complex (ACC) in Anchorage, Alaska.

Under direct supervision, this position will be trained to provide the full range of psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill prisoners housed on the mental health units within the Department of Corrections. Primary responsibilities of this position included, but are not limited to, triage and assess patients, administer prescribed medications and treatments, provide general nursing care to patients housed on the acute and subacute mental health units, monitor physical and mental conditions of the inmates, and maintain patient medical records.

What You Will Be Doing:

Under direct supervision, this position will be trained to provide the full range of psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill prisoners housed on the mental health units within the Department of Corrections. Primary responsibilities of this position included, but are not limited to, triage and assess patients, administer prescribed medications and treatments, provide general nursing care to patients housed on the acute and subacute mental health units, monitor physical and mental conditions of the inmates, and maintain patient medical records.

Mission, Values, and Culture:

The Alaska Department of Corrections, Division of Health and Rehabilitation Services, is committed to providing the health and welfare of offenders committed to the custody of AK DOC. Health and Rehabilitation Services HARS provides essential healthcare in secure facilities housing sentenced and unsentenced offenders aged 16 and older. You will be a part of a team and enjoy work/life balance working a schedule of 7 on 7 off work week. HARS offers free online education for CEUs through Relias along with an exceptional benefits package. Come join our team of medical professionals and start a rewarding career as a Psychiatric Nurse!

Working Environment:

You will be working on an acute mental health unit providing nursing care to inmates with severe mental illness, low cognitive abilities, suicidal ideation, and various medical issues. This unit is located in segregation.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary
• Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Integrates best research practices with clinical and/or subject matter expertise and patient values for optimum care and participates in learning and research activities to the extent feasible.
• Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Eligibility for licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Alaska;
• AND EITHER
• Successful completion of a formal training plan as a Psychiatric Nurse 1 with the State of Alaska;
• OR
• One year of entry level experience as a Registered Nurse. Examples of this experience include but are not exclusively limited to prior service as a Psychiatric Nurse 1, Corrections Nurse 1, or Nurse 1 with the State of Alaska or its equivalent with another employer.

Substitution: Combinations of prior training and experience in other specializations of nursing care (e.g., Med-Surg, Corrections, Public Health, Critical Care) will be evaluated for comparability on a case-by-case basis.

Special Note: Candidates not currently licensed by the State of Alaska, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Alaska and requisite qualifying experience, may apply for vacancies in this job class. Applicants qualifying under this option may receive a conditional job offer; however, proof of licensure will be required prior to final appointment and reporting for duty.

Some positions may require the successful applicant to pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting, as a prerequisite to employment. These requirements will be indicated at the time of recruitment.

Some positions may require the successful applicant to provide proof they are free from active pulmonary tuberculosis at the time of hire. Employees are required to be tested annually. These requirements will be indicated at the time of recruitment.