What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director - Correctional Health position at jpshealthnet?
Job Summary: The Executive Director of Correctional Health provides leadership and operational oversight for all nursing and healthcare delivery functions within the correctional system. Reporting to the VP Clinical Operations, this position ensures safe, high-quality, and cost-effective care through strategic management of nursing operations, continuous quality improvement, risk mitigation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The Executive Director is responsible for aligning care delivery with accreditation standards (NCCHC, ACA), contractual obligations, and evidence-based nursing practices.
Essential Job Functions & Accountabilities:
- Direct and oversee all jail and nursing operations, including intake, chronic care, acute/urgent care, discharge coordination, and administrative programs.
- Develop and implement strategic and operational plans to improve access to care, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency.
- Lead Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives, including data analysis, reporting, corrective action plans, and process improvement (Lean/Six Sigma).
- Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies (state, local and federal) and accrediting bodies such as the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).
- Collaborates with Tarrant County Jail (TCJ) to ensure quality care is provided while meeting the requirements of the Tarrant County Sherif’s Department and maintaining compliance with the Texas Jail Commission standards.
- Develop, maintain, and enforce policies, procedures, and clinical standards for healthcare delivery within the jail.
- Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff; oversee recruitment, training, retention, and professional development.
- Develop staffing models based on patient acuity, security level, and clinical needs; ensure adequate coverage and competency.
- Oversee risk management, patient safety, mortality reviews, incident investigations, and root cause analyses.
- Partner with custody, behavioral health, and specialty service providers to deliver coordinated, trauma-informed care.
- Ensure safe and effective patient care for all incarcerated individuals while maintaining positive relationships with patients, families, staff, and other stakeholders (i.e. Sherriff’s Department).
- Prepare and maintain accurate statistical data, financial reports, dashboards, and standard operating records; develop and manage annual goals, objectives, and budgets.
- Analyze data to support planning, risk management, and improved service utilization; provide actionable insights to management and executive leadership.
- Represent nursing and correctional health in interdisciplinary and administrative committees, accreditation processes, audits, and external oversight reviews.
- Act as a liaison with city, state, and local authorities, the Sheriff’s Department, and other external stakeholders regarding healthcare operations and compliance.
- Communicate effectively with management, staff, inmates (including those with special needs), and external stakeholders; mediate disputes, respond to grievances, and provide testimony as needed.
- Serve as the nursing subject matter expert in correctional health, providing guidance, education, and regulatory updates to staff.
- Job description is not an all-inclusive list of duties and may be subject to change with or without notice. Staff are expected to perform other duties as assigned.