Admin Director Nursing - Correctional Health

Harris Health; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris Health seeks an Admin Director of Nursing for Correctional Health to lead nursing philosophy, vision, and strategy across the Correctional Health division. The role oversees operations, HR, finance, and quality improvement, guiding professional practice in alignment with system priorities.

The ADON champions standards, ensures safe, compassionate care, and maintains regulatory compliance while partnering with medical leadership and local academic programs to advance practice and research.

Qualifications

• Ten (10) years as a Registered Nurse (Correctional Health Nursing preferred).
• Five (5) progressive nursing leadership experience in complex healthcare organizations (Correctional Health experience preferred).
• Basic Life Support from a hospital-based American Heart Association (AHA) program.
• Registered Nurse; licensed to practice nursing in the State of Texas.
• CCHP or CCHP-RN preferred.
• Holds at least one nursing degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral).

Responsibilities

• Lead operational nursing leadership and strategic direction within Correctional Health.
• Oversee human resources management, financial controls, and quality improvement for nursing.
• Collaborate with hospital leadership to ensure policy alignment and high-quality patient care.

Skills

Verbal communication

Public speaking

Written communication

Analytical abilities

Research knowledge

Education

Doctorate in Nursing

Master's in Nursing/Business Administration/MPH/MHA

Nursing degree (Bachelors/Masters/Doctoral)

Job description

Admin Director Nursing - Correctional Health

Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At Harris Health, we prioritize the well-being of our most valuable asset--our people--ensuring a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in serving Harris County's most in need. With integrity and accountability at our core, we commit to 'leading with love', embodying our dedication to quality care, education, and a steadfast respect for every individual's contribution to our mission.

Job Summary

The Admin Director of Nursing (ADON), Correctional Health is the leader responsible for implementing nursing's philosophy, vision, and strategic direction within the Correctional Health organization. The ADON is accountable for operational leadership, human resource management, financial control, and quality improvement for nursing within his/her defined areas of responsibility.

The ADON advances and leads professional nursing practice based on the Correctional Health System Nursing Professional Practice Model, nursing strategic plan, and the American Nurses Association's Nursing Administration Scope and Standards of Practice. The ADON establishes an environment of professional nursing practice that empowers nurses to provide safe, effective, compassionate, and efficient care.

The ADON serves as the moral and ethical compass for nursing, ensuring alignment with Correctional Health and Harris Health System's strategic priorities and Nursing's foundational standards of practice including professional and legal regulation.

The ADON champions initiatives that improve care and protect patients, including monitoring and reporting quality and safety data and maintaining regulatory and accreditation standards.

The ADON maintains high-level communication and productive relationships with physicians and other health care personnel. The ADON serves as a catalyst for change among the healthcare leaders and personnel within the System, and in the community. The ADON partners with affiliated schools of Medicine and Nursing to support academic development, research and practice improvements consistent with Correctional Health and Harris Health System's Mission and Vision.

Supervises all aspects of nursing at Harris County Jail and works collaboratively with Chief Medical Officer for Correctional Health and VP of Operations for Correctional Health as the triad leadership team responsible for all aspects of health care delivery at Harris County Jail.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

The ADON has a direct reporting relationship to the Associate CNO Correctional Health.

Minimum Qualifications

Degrees

• Doctorate Degree in Nursing or related field preferred
• Master's degree in nursing, Business Administration, MPH, MHA or related field.
• Holds at least one (1) of the following in Nursing: Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral degree.

Licenses & Certifications

• Basic Life Support from a hospital- based American Heart Association (AHA) approved program.
• Registered Nurse; licensed to practice nursing in the State of Texas
• Other applicable certificates as required by unit/service.; CCHP or CCHP-RN preferred

Work Experience

Ten (10) as a Registered Nurse (Correctional Health Nursing preferred)

Management Experience

Five (5) progressive nursing leadership experience in complex healthcare organizations (Correctional Health experience preferred)

Communication Skills

Above Average Verbal Communication (Heavy Public Contact) Exceptional Verbal (Public Speaking), Writing/Correspondence, Writing/Reports

Proficiencies

Personal Computer

Job Attributes

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Analytical Abilities, Design Knowledge and Skills, Medical Terminology Knowledge, Research Knowledge and Abilities, Statistical Knowledge and Abilities

Work Schedule

Flexible, Holidays, On-Call, Travel, Weekends