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

Registered Nurse - Correctional

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks (minimum 10 weeks for new contracts and extensions)
Shift: Day (4 shifts of 12 hours each; 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM)
Hours per Week: 48 hours (guaranteed 36 hours/week; facility may call off up to 3 shifts in a 13-week assignment)
Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend

Job Description

• Provide routine and emergency healthcare to patients in a detention center 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 in a facility with a capacity of about 1900 inmates.
• Must be able to pass a facility background check.
• No local candidates accepted within a 100-mile radius.
• Open to accommodating block schedules.
• Pending license candidates accepted.
• Return-to-Office (RTO) restrictions: absences longer than 7 days require approval.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Mexico
• Minimum 1 year of correctional nursing experience, with correctional experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
• MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior) certification

Facility & Work Environment

• Type of Facility: Detention Center
• Charting System: Cerner
• Parking: No fee
• No public transportation nearby; valid non-local driver’s license required.
• Candidates must complete PREA training prior to start.
• Badge photo and issuance coordinated during first week.
• New contracts and extensions require a minimum of 10 weeks.
• A 6-month break is required after 4 consecutive assignments or 1 year of cumulative work, whichever comes first.
• Overtime applies after 48 hours worked per week (effective 10/30/2025).

Documentation & Compliance

• Must complete employment application with at least 3 years of work history.
• Two professional references within the last 3 years required.
• Work history verification for 3 years required.
• Must complete facility-specific forms including traveler compliance, background registration, emergency contact, and Cerner training attestation (Cerner training may be tested out if experienced).
• Must review and sign facility welcome materials and arrhythmia exam attestation if applicable.

Important Notes

• No RQI certifications accepted for BLS or ACLS.
• MOAB certification is mandatory for all RNs working in this facility; failure to pass onsite training results in contract termination.
• Candidates must be able to pass all required background checks and health screenings.
• Locals within 100 miles are not accepted for this position.
• Pending licenses are accepted but must be valid and unencumbered.
• Candidates must be able to provide their own transportation; public transit is not available.
• Fingerprinting is required onsite during orientation unless completed within the past 12 months.
• Flu vaccine is required year-round with acceptable exemptions.
• COVID vaccine is required with exemptions accepted; documentation must be provided.

This position is ideal for experienced Registered Nurses comfortable working in a correctional/detention center environment, with required certifications and the ability to manage both routine and emergency healthcare needs in a secure setting.