Correctional Health Nurse I

Fairfax County Government; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Fairfax County Government is seeking a dedicated Registered Nurse to join the Medical Services Branch at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. The role involves providing routine and emergency care, conducting health histories, and coordinating referrals to physicians, NPs, dentists and mental health specialists.

The position requires nursing licensure in Virginia, BLS, and may include rotating shifts, night differentials, and a $10,000 sign-on bonus for fully qualified new county

Qualifications

• Graduation from an NLN-accredited program: BSN or ASN.
• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Virginia.
• BLS certification required; ACLS within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct health care to inmates in the detention center.
• Conduct admission histories and health screenings.
• Administer medications and monitor vitals and lab results.
• Refer patients to physicians, NPs, dentists or mental health professionals.
• Maintain documentation and ensure safety and universal precautions.

Skills

Nursing knowledge

CPR

Critical thinking

Communication

Security awareness

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Associate's degree in Nursing

Tools

BLS certification

Job description

Job Announcement

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is committed to providing world-class public safety with honor, courage, and a dedication to service. Our office is the largest sheriff's office in Virginia with over 600 professional men and women. We serve a population of over 1.1 million citizens in one of the most diverse counties in the nation.

We are looking for medical professionals who want to contribute to the outstanding quality of life that Fairfax County residents currently enjoy. Works as a member of the Medical Services Branch located in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. As an individual and team contributor, provides patients with routine and emergency health care. Duties may include obtaining health histories on newly incarcerated patients and, when necessary, making referrals of patients to the staff physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, mental health professional, or specialist in alcohol and/or drug abuse treatment. Ensures all medication is administered in accordance with standard operating procedures and as ordered by the authorizing authority.

Schedule: The incumbent will be assigned to 12.5 hours shift on a squad schedule and will work 15 days per month, equal to 87.5 hours per two-week pay period. (Day shift is from 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and night shift is from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). The incumbent may receive additional pay, such as night and evening differential, foreign language stipend, holidays, environmental stipend. May receive annual performance increases as allowed by the county budget.

Note: Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

*This position includes a sign-on bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $10,000 (full-time).

Illustrative Duties

The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.

• Provides direct health care services to Adult Detention Center inmates;
• Conducts admission interviews to gather medical, mental health and social histories;
• Performs medical, dental, and mental health screenings and/or assessments;
• Provides therapeutic nursing services including administers tests (e.g., PPD, pregnancy testing) and injections, dispensing medications, and collecting vital signs;
• Reviews and interprets laboratory and diagnostic test results for advanced level practitioner follow-up;
• Assesses and identifies contributing or co-occurring mental health issues, determines risk of harm to self and/or others;
• Monitors medical status of patients through the acute and chronic disease management and the withdrawal/detoxification of alcohol and drugs processes;
• Triages and refers the patients to the staff physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, mental health or substance use disorder professional;
• Administers medication as ordered by the authorizing authority and in accordance with standard operating procedures;
• Documents all treatment and counseling on the appropriate records;
• Ensures proper protective equipment is worn or used;
• Maintains universal precautions and promotes their observance by all agency staff.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.

• Knowledge of nursing standards, theories, principles, practices, methods, and protocols;
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, policy and procedures relating to the nursing services provision;
• Knowledge of human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology (e.g., medication therapeutic use, side effects, contraindications), preventive medicine, epidemiology, and nutrition;
• Knowledge of federal and state pharmacology regulations specific to the storage, dispensing and administration of medications;
• Knowledge of psychiatric, psychological, and/or sociological terminology and concepts;
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, addiction signs and symptoms, assessment techniques, and applicable treatment interventions;
• Ability to perform technical and complex nursing procedures (e.g., injections, venipuncture, blood pressure screening, STD testing, tube feeding, nebulization treatment, wound care assessment and dressing, and use of various medical equipment in delivering services to clients;
• Ability to apply emergency medical techniques such as CPR, control of bleeding and airway maintenance;
• Ability to assess and monitor the 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.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing with a bachelor\'s degree in Nursing; or an associate\'s degree accredited by the National League for Nursing or equivalent program as determined by the Virginia State Board of Nursing.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Possession of a current license or a multistate licensure privilege to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification (Required within 1 year after the appointment).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check, polygraph examination, psychological examination, and clearance from the National Practitioners Database to the satisfaction of the employee. Must undergo a medical screening prior to starting work.

Must be able to work a shift work schedule which includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience working as a nurse in an emergency room (ER) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
• Experience working as a nurse in correctional health.
• Experience providing hands-on health care.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Required to walk, stand, sit, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs and carry equipment up to 25 pounds in weight. Uses hands to grasp, handle or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor. Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise.

This job announcement is listed with a closing date of October 16, 2026, and interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process may close prior to the currently advertised closing date when the positions have been filled.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail] EEO/AA/TTY.

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