Job Description

Posting number: 2026JE27873

Department: DAJD-Adult/Juvenile Detention

Division: Juvenile

Job classification: Registered Nurse - Juvenile (R2 : WSNA-Staff Nurses-DPH, DAJD)

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Corrections, Public Health, Nursing, Professional, Medical

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is accepting applications for Registered Nurses who are interested in bringing their nursing expertise to a specialized practice setting and making a meaningful difference in the lives of youth in detention.

Nursing practice in a detention setting is highly specialized and centers on providing safe, compassionate, and equitable health care to a vulnerable population. Detention nurses practice as part of an interdisciplinary team while maintaining a strong focus on independent clinical judgment, assessment, and patient advocacy. They perform many of the core functions of nursing practice found in traditional health care settings, including assessing health needs, identifying and responding to acute and chronic conditions, developing and implementing care plans, administering medications and treatments, and educating patients about their health.

What distinguishes detention nursing is the environment in which that care is delivered. Nurses must adapt their practice to a secure setting, where resources may be more limited and immediate access to other health care professionals or services may not always be available. This creates opportunities for nurses to exercise a high degree of autonomy, critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and resourcefulness.

DAJD nurses have the opportunity to build therapeutic relationships with youth, promote health and wellness, respond to emerging health concerns, and advocate for patients who may experience significant barriers to health care. Through their practice, detention nurses play an essential role in ensuring that every young person receives competent, trauma-informed, and compassionate nursing care while in custody.

If you are a Registered Nurse looking to expand your practice, strengthen your clinical judgment, and serve youth in a unique and challenging environment, DAJD offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact through nursing.

Examples of duties

• Provide nursing assessments and interventions including medical, dental, and psychiatric screening and triage with patients; obtaining health history, chief complaint; conducting drug and alcohol withdrawal assessments, patient care planning, and evaluation and medical care coordination; carrying out prescribed treatments; collecting specimens as needed; administering medications and vaccinations; and monitoring and documenting treatment progress and patient response.
• Oversee the general operations of the health clinic.
• Provide mental health services, as a member of an interdisciplinary team, to patients = with emotion, behavioral, cognitive, and social impairments.
• Refer to or consult with other health providers in person and on the phone.
• Follow established Public Health medical records policies and procedures and the State and Federal laws that govern the release of health care information.
• Establish relationships with individuals to promote interactive problem solving and provide patient education.
• Delegate as allowed under the Nurse Practice Act.
• Participate and assist in the training and orientation of new health care employees and students.
• Provide for clinic maintenance of supplies and equipment and maintain a safe environment according to standards of OSHA/WISHA.
• Provide patient care based upon practice guidelines, community standards of care, and Federal and State laws and regulations.
• Respond to emergencies, injuries, and illness throughout the facility; perform CPR when needed.
• Maintain professional competence by pursuing opportunities for continuous learning, attending continuing education offerings, reading professional literature, and engaging in other activities which develop new knowledge and skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• An active and unencumbered Washington State license as a Registered Nurse or Multi-State Licensure
• Associate's degree in nursing science, bachelor's degree in nursing or a graduate level nursing degree of MSN, DNP or PhD from an accredited school of nursing
• Documentation of current BLS-CPR for Health Care Providers. CPR/AED HeartSaver courses do not meet this requirement
• Willing to provide options counseling.
• Washington state driver's license or ability to travel to sites within the county.
• Pass background check, pre-employment physical and credentialing.

Supplemental information

WHO MAY APPLY: This opportunity is open to all qualified applicants. This recruitment may be used to fill current and/or future needs within the next 12 months.

HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

Completion of the entire King County application and supplemental questionnaire is required. Resumes or letter of interest alone will not substitute for a full application. Online applications are preferred. For assistance with the online application process, please contact NEOGOV Customer Support toll free at: 1-877-204-4442 (Governmentjobs.com customer support).

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• King County application
• Responses to supplemental questions
• Copy of BLS-CPR for Health Care Providers Certification
• Copy of Associate's degree (or higher) in Nursing
• Copy of Washington State license as a Registered Nurse or Multi-State Licensure

WORK LOCATION: King County Juvenile Detention Center, 1211 E. Alder, Seattle, WA, 98122. The individual selected for this position will work within the secure perimeter of the juvenile detention facility.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

WORK SCHEDULE: STT employees are at-will temporary employees and provide coverage for Juvenile Health Clinic shifts when career services employees are out sick or on vacation and will be on-call. The typical work schedule is a non-traditional schedule (e.g. weekdays, weeknights, weekend days, weekend nights and holidays). This position is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. S hift assignments for Short Term Temporary Registered Nurse - Juvenile (following orientation) varies. Short Term Temporary Registered Nurse - Juvenile should be able to work four shifts on average per month

CONTACT: For information about this position, please contact Amy M. Curtis, BSN, RN, Healthcare Recruitment Manager at (206) 263-8358 or amy.curtis@kingcounty.gov

For information about the application process please contact Jennifer Eugene, Human Resources Analyst at (206) 263-2397 or Jennifer.Eugene@kingcounty.gov

For assistance with the online application process, please contact NEOGOV Customer Support toll free at: 1-877-204-4442 (Governmentjobs.com customer support).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The individual selected for this position will be required to complete a thorough background investigation process, including fingerprinting, criminal history check, medical physical, and reference checks. A valid Washington State Driver's License or alternate ability to travel around the county is required by time of hire.

DAJD SELECTION STANDARDS: The selection standards regarding drug and criminal history for Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention are available on our website: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/jails/jobs.aspx

The individuals hired into these positions will be required to adhere to the policies of the Department of Juvenile and Adult Detention (in addition to those of the Public Health Department) in meeting and maintaining the standards required for continued access to the facility as well as other standards related to conduct.

Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.

UNION AFFILIATION: Positions in this classification are represented by the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA).

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Jennifer Eugene at Jennifer.Eugene@kingcounty.gov