Director of Nursing
Billerica, MA
Full Time
Experienced
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (“MSO”) is seeking a qualified Director of Nursing (“DON”) to work in a correctional setting at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction (“MJHOC”) in Billerica, MA. The MSO provides 24-hour care to inmates and detainees at the MJHOC. The MSO Health Services Unit (“HSU”) provides a wide range of services to both the sentenced and pre-trial populations. Services include – but are not limited to – physicals, sick calls, mental health consultations, optometry, and physical therapy. Medical staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The HSU has a 21-bed in-patient unit, 15 of which are allocated to the regional Evaluation and Stabilization Unit (“ESU”). An incarcerated individual's first HSU contact comes as part of the intake process, where they are screened and undergo initial assessments for underlying substance use, medical and behavioral health issues.
Under the direct supervision of the Health Services Administrator (“HSA”), the DON is a senior healthcare leader responsible for ensuring high-quality nursing care, regulatory compliance, efficient operations, and strong staff performance within the MSO HSU. The DON oversees all nursing operations, manages staff, develops policies, and maintains high standards of patient care. The hours of work will be 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. flex, Monday through Friday. The DON is an essential employee and will be required to respond to any HSU needs when required and depending on the needs of the MSO. The hours of work and days off are subject to change and based on the discretion of the HSA. This is a full-time, exempt, at-will employment position.
Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Working Conditions:
Working in a correctional setting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Must be able to work on varied shifts (7:00AM-3:00PM; 3:00PM-11:00PM; 11:00PM-7:00AM when necessary), weekends, nights, and holidays. Must be able to work over 8 hours depending on operational and medical needs. May be required to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress; stand and walk for prolonged periods of time; work alone in an isolated area; lift and carry heavy objects; restrain inmates/detainees in accordance with policy; work under exposure to adverse weather conditions.
Qualifications:
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Salary: Starting salary range is $117,000.00 to $117,486.10 plus additional incentives, bonuses and employment benefits. Interested candidates can review this job posting at www.middlesexsheriff.org and may submit a cover letter and resume via email to [email protected].
Submissions must be received by November 27, 2026 at 5:00p.m.
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer
Under the direct supervision of the Health Services Administrator (“HSA”), the DON is a senior healthcare leader responsible for ensuring high-quality nursing care, regulatory compliance, efficient operations, and strong staff performance within the MSO HSU. The DON oversees all nursing operations, manages staff, develops policies, and maintains high standards of patient care. The hours of work will be 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. flex, Monday through Friday. The DON is an essential employee and will be required to respond to any HSU needs when required and depending on the needs of the MSO. The hours of work and days off are subject to change and based on the discretion of the HSA. This is a full-time, exempt, at-will employment position.
Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Oversee the nursing staff at the MSO including the coordination of the nursing schedule and assignments. Ensure adequate nursing staff coverage for the HSU. This includes supervising RNs, LPNs, and other staff assigned to the HSU. Responsible for making high‑level clinical and operational decisions;
- Builds and develops nursing teams. Evaluate nursing performance, providing training, and foster professional development to strengthen the nursing workforce;
- Ensure safe, high quality patient care. Review care plans, and ensure that MSO policies and procedures promote patient safety and consistent quality of care;
- Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care;
- Assist the HSA with managing departmental budgets, allocating resources, and maintaining inventory;
- Assure compliance with nursing protocols and standards set forth by the MA Department of Corrections, MA Department of Public Health, American Correctional Association, National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and CMR’s. Responsible for regulatory compliance and quality metrics. Ensures the MJHOC is prepared for inspections;
- Coordinate care with other MSO departments for detainees/inmates who are leaving the MJHOC with reentry plans back into the community;
- Assist with recruitment and hiring. Coordinate training and mentoring of new staff and assist with retention efforts. Coordinates and monitors new employee orientation, on the job training, in service training, and continuing education with HSA;
- Work with HSA to coordinate monthly staff meetings and ensures that all communication is delivered to staff in a timely and effective manner;
- Monitor HSU bed space on a daily basis to ensure patients are seen in a timely manner by medical providers;
- Participate in the utilization review process with medical providers;
- Monitor triage rooms throughout the MJHOC to ensure adequate equipment and daily equipment checks are being completed. Check all equipment on a monthly basis;
- Monitor all new intakes to the MJHOC to ensure tasks are completed and medications are verified in a timely manner. Ensure tasks are created for Tuberculosis Purified Protein Derivative (PPD), ensuring labs and physical exams are in place;
- Review all medication errors and work with the HSA for any corrective action that is required;
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure all patients discharging from the HSU transition appropriately (both medical and mental health patients). Collaborate with classification and operations regarding restrictions and other housing concerns of inmates/detainees throughout the facility. This includes transportation restrictions and bottom bunk assignments. Ensure that alerts are added in the internal Offender Management System (“OMS”) regarding these restrictions;
- Work with the HSA to prepare monthly, quarterly and statistical reports relating to health services delivery to the inmate/detainee population according to standards;
- Work with the Re-Entry / Mass Health staff to assist inmates/detainees in obtaining medical and substance abuse treatment upon release from custody if necessary;
- Work with the MA State Office of Pharmacy Services representative to ensure medications are ordered, securely stored and inventoried according to the CMR’s;
- When necessary, depending on nursing staff vacancies, may be required to assist with medication pass and other nursing functions;
- Must understand and abide by MSO policies and procedures regarding Medication Assisted Treatment (“MAT”) services, infection control, restrictive housing and restraint procedures, medication pass, and ESU;
- May be required to rotate schedule and be on-call in conjunction with the HSA;
- Perform other work as required by the HSA or designee.
Working Conditions:
Working in a correctional setting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Must be able to work on varied shifts (7:00AM-3:00PM; 3:00PM-11:00PM; 11:00PM-7:00AM when necessary), weekends, nights, and holidays. Must be able to work over 8 hours depending on operational and medical needs. May be required to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress; stand and walk for prolonged periods of time; work alone in an isolated area; lift and carry heavy objects; restrain inmates/detainees in accordance with policy; work under exposure to adverse weather conditions.
Qualifications:
- Must have an active Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
- Must have an Associate’s degree in Nursing; Bachelor’s degree in Nursing preferred;
- Must have three (3) years of RN experience;
- Prior experience in a correctional or similar setting preferred;
- Advanced degree in Nursing or Healthcare Administration preferred;
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills;
- Must have knowledge of healthcare regulations, standards, and clinical systems;
- Proven ability to manage budgets and resources effectively;
- Strong written, communication, organizational, analytical, problem-solving and time-management skills. Ability to complete multiple projects in a timely and accurate manner while maintaining comprehensive and cohesive records;
- Must have the ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job. Must be cognizant of the confidential and sensitive nature of working in a law enforcement agency and must comply with all institutional rules regarding confidentiality, safety and security;
- Capacity to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude;
- Must have a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record and the right to legally operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts;
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check, which includes medical, drug (including marijuana) and psychological screenings.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Salary: Starting salary range is $117,000.00 to $117,486.10 plus additional incentives, bonuses and employment benefits. Interested candidates can review this job posting at www.middlesexsheriff.org and may submit a cover letter and resume via email to [email protected].
Submissions must be received by November 27, 2026 at 5:00p.m.
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer
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