Are you thinking about a career in correctional healthcare but aren’t certain about the job opportunities available? If so, here’s the rundown of the types of correctional healthcare jobs you may want to explore.
Why Work in Correctional Healthcare?
Correctional healthcare provides inmates with necessary medical, mental health, and preventive services within the constraints of the corrections environment. Jobs in correctional healthcare offer many benefits that make working in this area rewarding.
Benefits of working in correctional healthcare include:
- Attractive Compensation Packages. Positions often provide attractive compensation packages to account for the specialized nature of the work. Employers may offer higher-than-average salaries, comprehensive benefits, and even sign-on bonuses or training and education stipends.
- Opportunities for Growth. There’s never a dull moment in correctional healthcare. These professionals are exposed to various medical and mental health conditions in an often fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional development, on-the-job learning, and promotion.
- Unique and Rewarding Challenges. Correctional healthcare professionals tackle complex cases, often involving people who have had little to no prior access to medical care. These challenges help them practice approaching issues in unique ways.
- Making a Difference. Many jailed people come from underserved communities and lack access to quality healthcare. Correctional healthcare offers a chance to address disparities by providing care that improves people’s overall health outcomes.
Categories of Correctional Healthcare Jobs
It takes a strategically formed team to meet the diverse medical and mental health needs of people in jail. The types of roles filled at each jail depend on the county’s needs and, therefore, its contract with the correctional healthcare company it uses. Here are the primary jobs within correctional healthcare and their key responsibilities.
Physicians
Physicians in correctional facilities diagnose and treat various conditions, including chronic illnesses, acute injuries, and infectious diseases. Their role involves oversight of the healthcare team, managing patient care, providing preventative care and health education, and collaborating with other healthcare providers and correctional staff to meet patients’ needs. Some physicians work telemedicine, while others are on-site during various times.
Nurses
Nurses are the backbone of daily healthcare operations in correctional facilities, which is part of the reason this type of healthcare requires multiple types of corrections nurses, including Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).
Nurses’ responsibilities include managing treatment plans, administering medications, responding to medical emergencies within the jail, and monitoring patient progress.
Mental Health Professionals
People in jail have a myriad of mental health issues, making a team of mental health professionals essential.
Psychiatrists may assess, diagnose, and treat jailed people with mental health disorders. They also develop treatment plans and prescribe and monitor medications. Meanwhile, psychologists and counselors conduct psychological assessments and provide therapy and other mental health support.
Dental and Vision Care Providers
Some jails provide dental and vision services. Dental professionals provide routine care and address urgent dental issues. Optometrists offer essential vision care, particularly for jailed people who may not have had prior access to such services.
Administrative and Support Roles
Running a medical operation of any size requires some support roles, including administrative assistants and Health Services Administrators. HSAs oversee the healthcare operations within correctional facilities, managing budgets, staffing, and compliance with regulations. These administrators typically have previous experience in correctional healthcare and typically are promoted from within.
Skills and Qualifications for Correctional Healthcare Jobs
Correctional healthcare demands a blend of clinical expertise, adaptability, and interpersonal skills. Professionals in this field must navigate the complexities of providing care in secure environments while addressing the diverse needs of jailed people.
Skills and qualifications necessary in correctional healthcare roles include:
- Relevant Licensure and Certification. All healthcare professionals must have valid state licenses for their roles. Also, specialized certifications can enhance credibility and job prospects.
- Experience. While new graduates are often welcome, experience in primary care, emergency medicine, or behavioral health is highly valued.
- Core Clinical Skills. Providers must demonstrate strong clinical capabilities, including proficiency in managing chronic illnesses and acute conditions and knowledge of mental health and substance abuse treatment protocols.
- Adaptability and Problem-Solving. Correctional healthcare settings require professionals to think critically, prioritize care based on available resources, and adapt creatively to dynamic situations, such as emergencies.
- Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills. Healthcare professionals in correctional facilities work with diverse populations, including patients, other healthcare staff, and correctional officers. They need empathy, compassion, cultural sensitivity, and an attitude focused on teamwork.
- Resilience and Emotional Intelligence. The corrections environment can be emotionally taxing. Professionals must be able to cope with challenging situations and successfully manage stress.
- Knowledge of Security Protocols. Providing healthcare in a correctional facility requires adherence to strict security measures. Professionals must understand and follow security protocols, balance patient care and safety, and maintain professional boundaries while fostering caring relationships.
- Commitment to Ethical and Professional Standards. Ethics play a critical role in correctional healthcare. Professionals must uphold patient confidentiality, practice unbiased care, and advocate for the rights and dignity of jailed people.
Getting Started in Correctional Healthcare
Embarking on a career in correctional healthcare offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a dynamic and challenging environment. If you’re interested in pursuing a role in this field and meet the necessary qualifications, TK Health is hiring for multiple roles in various locations.
TK Health is a leading correctional healthcare provider, serving about 150 jails in a dozen states. Our team oversees the day-to-day healthcare operations in facilities with patient populations ranging from 25 to more than 2,000. Visit our jobs page to learn more about the roles we’re offering.
