Registered Nurse (RN)

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Cherokee (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment payment $3,000

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, 9

State benefits

Retirement plans and 401(k) style plan

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders (CCUSO) in Cherokee is seeking a dedicated Registered Nurse to provide specialized care in a highly structured clinical environment. This full-time role focuses on acute and chronic nursing care, therapeutic interventions, education, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to promote safety and rehabilitation.

A background check is required; shifts include PM or overnight with differential and

Qualifications

• Current Iowa RN license or multistate license via compact.
• Background check completion is required for all applicants.
• Experience in a high-risk, structured clinical setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver acute and chronic nursing care with focus on health promotion.
• Provide therapeutic interventions, psychological support, and education.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, quality care.
• Maintain clear documentation and participate in admissions and treatments.

Skills

Nursing

Patient Care

Documentation

Team Collaboration

Education

Registered Nurse licensure (IA/compact)

Job description

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State‑Operated Specialty Care is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) to join the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders (CCUSO). This is a meaningful opportunity to make a difference by providing high‑quality care to a unique, high‑risk population within a structured clinical environment.

Incentives

This position is eligible for a $3,000 recruitment payment. Speak to the Hiring Manager for more eligibility information. Current state employees are not eligible for recruitment payments upon transfer, demotion, or promotion to another agency. Pay increases are eligible after successfully completing the 6‑month probationary period, and again every 12 months. On day one, you begin enjoying many of the state benefits! See below for more details.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Opportunity to use your nursing skills in a specialized, team‑focused setting


• A supportive environment where your clinical judgment and professional growth are valued


• A chance to contribute to patient safety, rehabilitation, and long‑term wellbeing

What You’ll Do

In this full‑time position, you will:

• Deliver acute and chronic nursing care with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention.


• Provide therapeutic interventions, psychological support, and patient education.


• Participate in treatment activities, escort patients as needed, and maintain clear and accurate documentation.


• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team committed to quality care and safety.

Work Schedule Options

• PM shift: 1:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. – with a $0.90/hour shift differential


• Overnight shift: 9:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. or 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m. – with a $1.00/hour shift differential


• A rotating schedule includes working every third weekend. Flexibility is important—there may be times when overtime or hours outside the standard schedule are required.

Additional Requirements

All applicants must successfully complete a background check.

CCUSO provides a secure, long‑term, and highly structured setting to treat sexual offenders who have served their prison terms, but, in a separate civil trial, have been found likely to reoffend. The facility provides state‑of‑the‑art treatment to patients to lower their risk of re‑offending and to release them from confinement as quickly as possible. There is a full range of diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative services focused on addressing the conditions impacting a patient’s likelihood of re‑offending. For more CCUSO info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/civil-commitment-unit-sexual-offenders

Benefits Of Joining CCUSO

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well‑being and professional growth.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!


• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation(96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).


• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).


• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.


• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long‑term disability insurance for added peace of mind.


• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.


• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

For Additional Information On Benefits Click Here .

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Cherokee Highlights

CCUSO is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well‑developed parks and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951. Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60‑member orchestra has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Northwest Iowa.”

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa .

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Licensure as Registered Nurse in the State of Iowa by the Iowa Board of Nursing or licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrator's Agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.