Correctional Registered Nurse (RN)

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Correctional Registered Nurse (RN) to join our healthcare team within the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF). This position plays a critical role in delivering comprehensive, safe, and timely medical and behavioral health care to incarcerated individuals, supporting wellness, stabilizing acute and chronic conditions, and contributing to a secure therapeutic environment. Correctional healthcare offers a fast-paced, highly collaborative clinical setting where RNs work closely with medical providers, mental health clinicians, and sworn staff to address diverse physical and behavioral health needs. The RN performs assessments, plans and implements nursing care, responds to emergencies, and ensures compliance with professional standards, correctional regulations, and legal documentation requirements.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited nursing program with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or higher
Considerable experience providing nursing care in a psychiatric setting serving clients with mental health, substance abuse or developmental disabilities
Active Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) License in the state of Virginia
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Nice To Haves

Preference may be given to applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Health Care Administration, Public Health, Business Administration, or a related field as well as experience in one or more of the following:
Nursing experience in a correctional, forensic, emergency, behavioral health, or detox environment
Conducting intake screenings, suicide risk assessments, and acute triage
Documenting within electronic health record systems
Working in fast-paced clinical settings requiring rapid prioritization
Collaborating with law enforcement, mental health providers, or interdisciplinary clinical teams.

Responsibilities

Performing medical, psychiatric, and withdrawal assessments; prioritizing care based on risk; conducting intake screenings; and determining whether suicide watch or observation protocols are necessary
Identifying urgent medical issues and determining whether patients can be managed in-house or require referral to the provider or EMS; providing follow-up care and monitoring chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension
Coordinating labs, vitals, medication refills, and ongoing clinical needs; maintaining thorough and compliant documentation of all assessments, interventions, refusals, and emergencies
Administering daily medications, including controlled substances and psychotropics; monitoring for side effects, diversion risks, and the effectiveness of treatment plans
Monitoring individuals on suicide watch or mental health observation; providing crisis support; and communicating behavior and safety concerns to mental health staff
Responding to medical and psychiatric emergencies within housing units; initiating emergency protocols, performing CPR/first aid, and coordinating with EMS and custody staff
Assessing and managing withdrawal symptoms using established clinical protocols (e.g., CIWA, COWS); determining when to initiate withdrawal protocols or escalate for provider review
Ensuring adherence to safety procedures, infection control practices, HIPAA regulations, and facility guidelines; participating in audits, quality assurance reviews, and documentation improvement efforts
Coordinating discharge planning and continuity of care when applicable; completing patient handoffs and collaborating with the nursing team to ensure consistency of care
Performing other duties as assigned, including incident reporting, managing competing priorities, and adjusting workflow to meet clinical and legal deadlines.