Correctional Health Nurse Practitioner

About This Role

Wellpath is recruiting Correctional Health Nurse Practitioners to deliver primary and urgent care services within county jails, state prisons, and detention facilities. You will be the primary clinical provider for a largely underserved incarcerated population with complex medical and psychiatric needs, practicing with significant autonomy in a structured security environment.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Correctional Health Nurse Practitioner
• Company: Wellpath
• Location: Houston, TX / Los Angeles, CA / Columbus, OH / Jacksonville, FL / Philadelphia, PA
• Job Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Mid-level
• Salary Range: $50–$66/hr
• Posted Date: 2026-06-04
• Application Deadline: 2026-07-04

Role Context

Correctional NPs manage a defined patient population within a facility — evaluating sick call requests, managing chronic disease clinics, responding to emergencies, and coordinating outside hospital care for complex cases. You work alongside licensed nursing staff and a facility medical director, with strong clinical independence in day-to-day decision-making. The patient population often has high rates of substance use disorder, mental health conditions, and untreated chronic disease.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct intake health assessments for newly incarcerated individuals
• Manage sick call evaluations and triage acute complaints within the facility
• Provide chronic disease clinics for hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and hepatitis C
• Manage opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs with buprenorphine or methadone protocols
• Coordinate hospital transport and follow-up for acute and emergent cases
• Complete mental health clearance and urgent psychiatric referrals with psychiatric staff

Requirements & Skills

• FNP-BC or AGNP-C certification
• Active NP license and DEA registration
• X-waiver (buprenorphine prescribing authority) highly valued
• Experience with HIV management, hepatitis C treatment, and MOUD preferred
• Strong autonomous clinical decision-making in resource-limited settings
• Non-judgmental, trauma-informed approach to patients with complex social histories

Benefits & Work Conditions

• $50–$66/hr with correctional setting differential
• Structured daytime shifts — no hospital call schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Malpractice coverage provided by Wellpath
• CME allowance and MOUD certification support
• 401(k) with company match

Who Should Apply

Well-suited for NPs who value clinical autonomy, have experience with underserved populations, and are comfortable in structured, security-conscious settings. Correctional medicine offers consistent hours, meaningful work, and strong pay for NPs willing to practice in a non-traditional environment.

About the Company

Wellpath is one of the nation's largest providers of healthcare services in correctional and behavioral health settings, serving more than 300,000 patients daily across county jails, state prisons, and civil commitment facilities in 37 states. It employs over 15,000 clinical professionals nationwide.

How to Apply

Apply at wellpathcare.com/careers. Search "Nurse Practitioner" and filter by state. The process includes an HR screen and a clinical interview; background clearance is required for all correctional facility positions.