Admin Director Nursing - Correctional Health

Harris Health; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris Health System seeks an Admin Director of Nursing (ADON) for Correctional Health to lead nursing practice and implement the vision within its correctional health services at Harris County Jail. The role focuses on operational leadership, HR, and quality improvement in nursing across assigned areas.

The ADON will guide nursing practice per the Nursing Administration Scope, collaborate with academic partners, and drive performance aligned with system priorities and standards.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Nursing or related field (preferred).
• Master’s in Nursing, Business Administration, MPH, MHA or related field. Holds at least one Nursing degree.
• RN license in Texas (active).
• BLS certification from AHA program.
• CCHP or CCHP-RN certification preferred.
• 10+ years experience as a Registered Nurse (Correctional Health Nursing preferred).
• 5+ years progressive nursing leadership in complex healthcare organizations.
• Strong verbal communication and public speaking abilities.
• Proficiency with computers; analytical thinking, research, and statistics.

Responsibilities

• Work schedule: flexible, with holidays, on‑call, travel, and weekends as required.

Skills

BLS certification

RN licensure TX

Nursing leadership

Public speaking

Analytical thinking

Computer proficiency

CCHP/CCHP-RN

Education

Doctorate in Nursing or related field

Master’s in Nursing, MBA, MPH, MHA or related field

Nursing degree (Bachelor/Master/Doctoral)

Job description

Job Summary

The Admin Director of Nursing (ADON), Correctional Health is the leader responsible for implementing the nursing 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. It also serves as the moral and ethical compass for nursing, ensuring alignment with Correctional Health and Harris Health System’s strategic priorities and foundational standards of practice.

The ADON serves as a catalyst for change among the healthcare leaders and personnel within the System, partnering with affiliated schools of medicine and nursing to support academic development, research, and practice improvements consistent with the mission and vision of Harris Health System.

Reporting Structure

The ADON reports directly to the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Correctional Health and works collaboratively with the Chief Medical Officer for Correctional Health and the Vice President of Operations for Correctional Health as part of the triad leadership team responsible for all aspects of health care delivery at Harris County Jail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Nursing or a related field (preferred).
• Master’s degree in Nursing, Business Administration, MPH, MHA or related field. Holds at least one of the following in Nursing: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.
• Basic Life Support certification from a hospital‑based American Heart Association (AHA) approved program.
• Registered Nurse licensed to practice in the State of Texas.
• Other applicable certificates as required; CCHP or CCHP‑RN preferred.
• Ten (10) years of experience as a Registered Nurse (Correctional Health Nursing preferred).
• Five (5) years of progressive nursing leadership experience in complex healthcare organizations (Correctional Health experience preferred).
• Above‑average verbal communication skills and exceptional public‑speaking, writing, correspondence, and report‑writing abilities.
• Proficiency with personal computers.
• Knowledge and abilities in analytical thinking, design knowledge, medical terminology, research, and statistical analysis.

Job Attributes

Work schedule: flexible, with holidays, on‑call, travel, and weekends as required.