Sheriff's Detentions Nurse

Overview

The Sheriff’s Detention Nurse provides medical and mental health nursing services to incarcerated individuals in the San Diego County detention facilities. The role is entry‑level and requires independent decision‑making within the legal scope of practice under established procedures.

• Perform routine and emergency nursing care for inmates, including assessment, treatment, medication administration, and documentation.
• Apply standardized nursing procedures and protocols, including infection control, crisis intervention, and mental health support.
• Collaborate with correctional staff and medical team to coordinate care and maintain safety.
• Maintain accurate medical records and comply with county and state regulations.

• Experience in correctional, psychiatric, geriatric, critical care, or emergency nursing settings.
• Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP) certification.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and customer‑focused skills.

• Base salary commensurate with qualifications with scheduled increases: 5.67% in June 2026, 5.17% in June 2027.
• Shift premiums: $1.50 /hr for evening shifts and $2.50 /hr for graveyard shifts.
• 10 % institutional work‑location premium.
• Free food while on duty and an annual uniform allowance.

• All nursing encounters occur in a locked detention facility with a deputy present.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, psychiatric illness, unpredictable behaviors, and possible verbal abuse.
• Rotating shifts (morning, midday, night) and work on holidays and weekends.

• Honest and trustworthy reputation.
• Felony convictions disqualify; misdemeanor convictions may disqualify depending on type, number, and recency.
• Candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, including psychological and polygraph testing.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case‑by‑case basis to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The County of San Diego is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages veterans to apply. Veterans receive preferential consideration under the County's Veteran's Preference Policy.