Director, Office of Correctional Health

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is the senior leader responsible for American Correctional Association’s (ACA) correctional healthcare initiatives and programs. This role provides strategic direction to ensure that correctional professionals have access to effective health services standards, training, and support, in line with ACA’s mission of improving practices in correctional systems. Reporting directly to ACA’s Executive Director, the OCH Director oversees a dedicated team (Health Services Specialists, Subject Matter Experts and Administrative Assistant) and works closely with stakeholder groups such as the national network of correctional health authorities and ACA’s healthcare committees. Key responsibilities include guiding the development of correctional health standards, managing health related accreditation/certification programs, grant management, and serving as ACA’s chief expert and liaison on correctional healthcare issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•Set strategic direction for correctional health programs and initiatives in line with ACA’s mission. Ensure ACAremains at the forefront of correctional health practices and policy by monitoring trends (e.g. communicabledisease management, mental health in prisons) and responding with appropriate initiatives.

•Facilitate the development, revision, and promotion of ACA’s performance-based health care standards andexpected practices for correctional facilities in coordination with the Standards and Accreditation department and the Commission on Accreditation in Corrections. This includes facilitating efforts to update standards manualsand guidelines that member institutions use to achieve ACA accreditation in healthcare. The Director works withACA’s Standards & Accreditation department to integrate up-to-date medical practices and legal requirementsinto correctional health standards.

•Administer ACA’s health training programs and professional certifications. The Director is responsible for ACA’sHealth Care Professional Certification program, which offers credentials for Correctional Nurse, CorrectionalNurse Manager, Health Services Administrator, and Correctional Behavioral Health Professionals. Responsibilitiesinclude developing training curricula, organizing workshops and continuing education, and ensuring certificationexams/content remain relevant.

•Serves as ACA’s primary subject-matter expert and point of contact for member agencies on correctionalhealthcare. The Director provides technical assistance and advisory services to correctional systems seeking toimprove health services delivery. This can involve answering inquiries from prison/jail administrators,disseminating best practice resources, or deploying expert committees to help jurisdictions address health crises(e.g. managing an infectious disease outbreak). The Director often facilitates peer networking among correctionalhealth professionals through ACA’s channels.

•Liaise with ACA committees and external partners on all matters of correctional health. Supports ACA’s health-focused committees, such as the Coalition of Correctional Health Authorities (CCHA) and ACA’s HealthcareProfessional Affiliates. In this role, the Director gathers input from practitioners in the field and ensures theirfeedback informs ACA initiatives. Externally, the Director represents ACA in partnerships with organizations like the CDC, National Institute of Corrections, and state correctional health boards to promote collaborativesolutions. This includes managing grant-funded collaborative projects and speaking at national forums on behalf of ACA.

•Oversee the development of correctional health content for ACA publications and advocacy efforts. The Director may author or review articles in Corrections Today or ACA newsletters on health topics, ensuring ACA’s publicpolicy positions reflect sound healthcare practices, and contribute to grant proposals that advance correctionalhealth research.

•Manage the Office’s staff and resources, including supervising any Health Services Specialists or project managers within the OCH. The Director prepares and oversees the OCH budget (often funded partly by grants andconference revenues), and ensures that OCH projects are delivered on time and within scope. They also report on OCH activities and outcomes to ACA leadership

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

•A clinical background (e.g. licensed physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse) with experience in public health is advantageous, given the need to interface with medical practitioners and public health agencies.

•Experience as a Chief Medical Officer, Health Services Administrator, or equivalent role in corrections is ideal. This background ensures familiarity with the unique challenges of delivering medical, dental, and mental health care in secure environments.

•In-depth knowledge of health standards, accreditation process, and relevant regulations. Understanding of legaland regulatory requirements governing correctional health (e.g. consent decrees, federal healthcare laws,constitutional mandates on inmate care) is essential for providing credible guidance. Familiarity with public health guidelines for detention settings (CDC recommendations, etc.) is also expected.

•Demonstrated ability to lead programs and teams. This includes strong project management skills, budgetoversight experience, and talent for mentoring professional staff. The Director should be adept at strategicplanning, setting goals and executing plans to meet those goals.

•Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. The Director frequently presents to diverse audiences, from ACA’s executive leadership and board members to front-line correctional healthcare staff. They must beable to translate medical/public health concepts into practical guidance for correctional administrators.

•Strong interpersonal skills are essential to collaborate with a wide network: ACA colleagues, correctional officials, healthcare providers, and external partners. The ability to build consensus and sustain partnerships is a keyqualification.

•Experience in policy development or advocacy related to health care is beneficial. Experience with grant writing or project management in areas like public health or justice system improvement is also a plus since the Directoroften engages in funded initiatives (e.g. federal grants for improving prison healthcare services).

Please visit https://www.aca.org/resources/job-bank to apply