Juvenile Detention Center Registered Nurse

Adamscountyil; Quincy (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Adams County Health Department in Quincy, IL is seeking a part-time Juvenile Detention Center Registered Nurse to provide professional nursing care and health services to detained youth. You will conduct assessments, manage medications, document care, and coordinate with providers while maintaining confidentiality and trauma-informed care in a secure detention setting.

This role requires IL RN license, BLS/CPR certification, ability to work 20 hours weekly, and collaboration with detention

Qualifications

• Licensed RN in Illinois
• BLS/CPR certification required

Responsibilities

• Conduct nursing assessments upon admission and during detention stay for youth
• Identify and respond to acute and chronic health conditions in youth
• Provide direct patient care and coordinate healthcare services within detention center
• Manage medication administration and reconciliation according to orders
• Maintain confidential medical records and HIPAA compliance
• Work in a secure juvenile detention environment and collaborate with staff

Education

Registered Nurse License IL

BLS/CPR Certification

Job description

Juvenile Detention Center Registered Nurse

• Type: Part Time
• Salary/Pay Rate: $29.00 / hour
• Posted Date: 09/30/2026 3:37 PM

Job Title: Juvenile Detention Center Registered Nurse

Division: Health Protection

Reports to: Director of Health Protection

Position Type and Hours:

Part time - 20 hours per week

Requirements:

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of IL
• BLS/CPR Certification

Position Summary: The Juvenile Detention Center Nurse provides professional nursing care and health services to youth residing in a juvenile detention facility. The nurse is responsible for assessing, monitoring, documenting, and addressing the health needs of detained youth in accordance with professional nursing standards, applicable laws and regulations, health department policies, detention center procedures, and established standards for correctional juvenile healthcare.

The nurse provides direct patient care, responds to sick calls, organizes and sets up medications and treatments as ordered by their provider, coordinates healthcare services, and communicates with healthcare providers, families/guardians as appropriate, detention center staff, and community healthcare agencies.

The position requires the ability to work effectively in a secure environment while maintaining professional boundaries, patient confidentiality, trauma informed care, and respect for the rights and dignity of each youth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Nursing Care:

• Conduct nursing assessments of youth upon admission and throughout their detention stay
  • Identify immediate medical needs, communicable disease concerns, allergies, medication needs, or other conditions for follow-up
  • Identify youth requiring immediate or ongoing medical, dental, behavioral health, or specialty services
• Identify and respond appropriately to acute and chronic youth health conditions
• Obtain and document health histories, vital signs, screenings, and other pertinent information
• Provide nursing interventions within the scope pf practice and according to established policies or standing orders
• Promptly communicate significant findings to the appropriate detention center staff for follow up with a medical provider
• Determine when physician, advanced practice provider, emergency department, dental, behavioral health, or other specialty services are indicated
• Work with detention center staff to facilitate outside medical appointments and referrals as directed; ensure documentation from outside appointments is maintained in the youth’s medical record
• Provide health education and counseling appropriate to age, developmental level, and health needs of detained youth

Medication Management:

• Teach detention center staff the 5 rights of medication administration upon hire, and as needed/requited by the department
• Set up medications safely and accurately in accordance with provider orders and applicable laws, regulations, and health department policies
• Maintain appropriate medication administration records and documentation
• Monitor youth for medication effectiveness, adverse reactions, side effects, and changes in condition
• Maintain medication security, storage, inventory, and accountability according to the shared detention center and health department policy.
• Communicate medication concerns or discrepancies promptly to the appropriate supervisor or healthcare provider
• Coordinate medication reconciliation during admission, transfers, and discharge as appropriate in collaboration with detention center staff.

Documentation and Medical Records:

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential medical records in coordination with the detention center
• Maintain confidentiality of protected health information in accordance with HIPAA and applicable laws and policies

Juvenile Detention Environment:

• Practice nursing in accordance with the unique safety and security requirements of a juvenile detention center environment
• Follow facility security procedures and instructions provided by the detention center supervisors
• Maintain awareness of environmental and behavioral safety risks
• Work collaboratively with detention center staff while maintaining the nurse’s professional and clinical responsibilities
• Notify detention center personnel of safety, behavioral, or health concerns that may affect the youth or the facility
• In additional to the 5 rights of medication management, the detention center nurse will health related education to the detention center staff twice a year, or as needed for specific chronic health conditions
• Participate in required orientation, continuing education, competency assessments, and staff training as required by the detention center
• Participate in quality improvement and performance improvement activities as assigned

The detention center nurse works collaboratively with the detention center staff and the health department leadership team but ultimately reports to the health department.

The nurse is responsible for providing professional nursing services within the legal scope of practice, professional standards, established protocols, and standing orders.

The nurse does not have responsibility for security operations, disciplinary functions, custody decisions, or supervision of detention center staff.

Clinical decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment, medication changes, referrals, and other medical interventions shall be made within the nurse’s scope of practice and in collaboration with the health department medical director.