Healthcare
(Tim Kelly , DOC Communications)
Health Services is responsible for basic primary care for incarcerated inmates. Services includes medical, dental, and mental healthcare which are provided to inmates by on–site State employed health services staff. All disciplines within each of the 12 facilities work closely together in order to reach a common goal, providing the best, most efficient, and cost effective health care possible. Emphasis is placed on early identification of health concerns, care for acute and chronic health problems, and preventive care. Providers offer medically necessary and quality care in accordance with the Department’s Offender Health Plan (OHP)
(also available in Español).
We believe in the core foundations of corrections; to make the public safer; and to run a humane system where people can change for the better.
Benefits of joining our team are:
- We value our employees for the ideas they have, the experience they bring and the effort they put into making changes that improve the lives of inmates and the safety of our communities . This is expressed in our benefits, our educational policies and the opportunities our staff have for promotion, transfer or new assignments.
- Our organization is on the cutting edge of correctional health care and we are committed to growing, changing and improving; you will be challenged to grow and improve as well. This is expressed in the level of care afforded inmates in our system, the research, publications and presentations by our staff and the programs or initiatives we are currently pursuing in reentry, patient safety, pain management, preventive dental care etc.
- Our health care system is growing and the Health Services Division is an important and valuable voice in the Department’s organization. Our centralized health services unit is responsible for the representation of health services staff on projects, committees and initiatives throughout the Department and within state government.
Healthcare Professions at DOC
The Department of Corrections (DOC) operates dental clinics at 9 of its facilities throughout the state. We employ 18 clinical dentists, 7 hygienists, and over 30 dental assistants. Our dentists work closely with physicians and other health professionals to provide medically necessary dental care to underserved inmate populations, some of which have complicated medical conditions. This provides dentists an opportunity to gain experience treating these types of patients and improving their knowledge of medicine and pharmacology as related to the practice of dentistry. The dental care we provide inmates also allows dentists an opportunity to hone their surgical skills.
Examples of dental positions offered are:
- Dentist – Check out our Careers in Dentistry
recruitment video!
(Tim Kelly , DOC Communications) - Dental Hygienist
- Dental Assistant
The Department of Corrections (DOC) continues to build an integrated health care system to meet the needs of the over 16,000 inmates in their custody. Our goal is to provide medically necessary care and to prepare our patients for reentry into normal society. We are building a team of medical providers to work collaboratively in providing high-quality, humane, and efficient health care. Our medical team includes mid-level providers (Physician Assistants and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners) working under the supervision of physicians in a primary care practice setting.
The Department is seeking high-quality physicians to participate in and lead our health care team. The clinical work includes outpatient primary care and infirmary care, plus management of referrals for specialty care. We are seeking specialists in internal medicine with an interest in general primary care practice, with a public health orientation. These positions also offer the opportunity to assume facility medical director positions in a number of our facilities.
Examples of medical positions offered are:
- Facility Medical Directors (FMD)
- Physician 3
- Physician Assistant / Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (PA/ARNP)
The Department of Corrections (DOC) employs psychiatrists and psychiatric mid-level prescribers at facilities around the state. They function as part of a multi-disciplinary team with every patient being assigned a primary therapist and primary care provider. The Department has a good range of psychotropic medications on formulary and solid ancillary services as well. Services range from outpatient level to residential care for seriously mentally ill.
Examples of mental health positions offered are:
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Correctional Mental Health Counselor
- Social Worker
The Department of Corrections (DOC) employs over 400 nurses to provide nursing care to inmates during their confinement at our correctional facilities. Correctional Nurses are usually the first healthcare provider an incarcerated person sees. Department of Correction Nurses deliver services which promote health, foster healing, and support coping and adjustment to various health conditions. Nursing services are provided to individual patients, their families, groups of patients, the staff employed at a correctional facility and to the public at large.
What makes correctional nursing so unique is the opportunity to work in a medically diverse setting. Correctional Nurses require a high ability to adapt quickly to ever changing medical and/or mental health circumstances requiring critical thinking and assessment skills to keep the patient, staff, and community safe. It can be challenging at times because resources can be limited – so creativity is needed and welcomed. Knowing that you are making a difference in people’s lives, every day provides a rewarding experience for our Correctional Nurses.
Examples of nursing positions offered are:
- Licensed Practical Nurse 2 & 4
- Registered Nurse 2
- Nurse Supervisor (Registered Nurse 3)
- Nurse Manager (Registered Nurse 4)