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

Registered Nurse – Correctional Facility (Travel/Contract)

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Night (4 shifts of 12 hours each, 18:00–6:30)
Contract Length: 13 weeks (minimum new contracts and extensions must be at least 10 weeks)
Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours/week (facility may call off up to 3 times during a 13-week assignment)

Job Overview

• Provide routine and emergency healthcare to inmates in a detention center with an average daily population of approximately 1640.
• 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 every other weekend.
• Open to block scheduling accommodations.
• No local candidates accepted within a 100-mile radius.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Mexico (pending licenses accepted).
• Minimum 1 year of nursing experience within the last year, excluding Home Health, Hospice, and School Services.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification.
• MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior) certification.

Facility & Work Environment

• Type: Detention Center
• Charting system: Cerner
• Parking: No fee
• No public transportation nearby; valid driver’s license and transportation plan required.
• Facility capacity approximately 1900 inmates.

Scheduling & Contract Details

• Night shift, 4 shifts of 12 hours each (48 hours/week scheduled, guaranteed 36 hours/week).
• Weekend work required every other weekend.
• Contracts are 36/48 hour based.
• Overtime applies after 48 hours starting 10/30/2025.
• Return-to-office (RTO) restrictions: absences longer than 7 days require approval.
• Travelers must take a 6-month break after 4 consecutive assignments or 1 year of cumulative work, whichever comes first.

Additional Notes

• COVID-19 vaccination is optional; facility reports vaccination status but does not require it.
• MOAB certification is valid for two years and must be maintained.
• Candidates without MOAB certification will receive training during the first week and have two chances to pass.
• Facility provides fingerprinting onsite during orientation; candidates pay the fee upfront and may be reimbursed.
• Candidates with prior positive TB results must provide additional documentation as specified.
• Flu vaccine exemptions for personal reasons are accepted with proper documentation.

This position is ideal for RNs with at least 1 year of experience who are comfortable working in a correctional/detention center environment, have strong clinical skills including emergency care and behavioral management, and are willing to work night shifts on a travel contract basis.