Correctional Registered Nurse
Albuquerque, New Mexico
University of New Mexico Metropolitan Detention Center

Job Opportunity: Correctional Registered Nurse

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Provide routine and emergency healthcare to patients in a detention center setting with an average daily population of approximately 1640 inmates.
• Conduct health assessments, triage and assess new patients, and make referrals to providers including detoxification, dental, and mental health professionals.
• Perform detox rounds per protocol.
• Work a day shift schedule: 4 shifts of 12 hours each (6:00 AM – 6:30 PM).
• Weekend work required every other weekend.
• Guaranteed 36 hours per week; facility may call off up to 3 shifts during a 13-week assignment.
• Open to block scheduling accommodations.
• No local candidates accepted within a 100-mile radius.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Mexico.
• Minimum 1 year of correctional nursing experience, with correctional experience within the last year required.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior) certification required; facility provides a 4-hour de-escalation course during the first week if not already certified. Failure to pass may result in contract cancellation.

Facility & Work Environment

• Facility Type: Detention Center
• Charting System: Cerner
• Parking: No fee
• Facility capacity: ~1900 inmates
• Location not near public transportation; valid non-local driver’s license required.

Additional Requirements & Notes

• New contracts and extensions must be at least 10 weeks.
• A 6-month break is required after completing 4 consecutive assignments or reaching one year of cumulative work at the facility.
• Overtime paid after 48 hours worked.
• Relias Basic Dysrhythmia Exam required for certain units (not specifically stated as required for this position).
• Candidates must complete various facility-specific documents and training, including PREA training and Cerner training attestation.
• Two professional references within the last three years required.
• Complete employment application with at least 3 years of work history verification required.
• Must complete medication and competency exams as part of credentialing.

Shift Details

• Day shift: 4 shifts of 12 hours (6:00 AM – 6:30 PM)
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend

Important Notes for Candidates

• No locals within 100 miles accepted.
• Pending licenses accepted.
• Must be able to pass background checks and fingerprinting.
• MOAB certification is mandatory; onsite training provided if needed.
• COVID vaccination required with exemptions allowed.
• Facility may call off up to 3 shifts during the assignment.
• Valid non-local driver’s license required due to lack of public transportation.

This position is ideal for RNs with at least 1 year of experience who are comfortable working in a correctional/detention center environment and have or are willing to obtain MOAB certification.