Working in prison health services

Prison healthcare

Working in prison healthcare isn't like any other job. Every day is different.

Our primary health care teams include medical, nursing and allied health professionals where we:

• have a positive impact on some of our most vulnerable people
• work in a unique environment
• gain experience in a wide range of settings
• are part of a supportive and collaborative team.

Working in a prison

Working in a prison will be different from anywhere else you're likely to work. There are some things that will take a little while to get used to, like:

• working in a secure area
• Queensland Correctional Service (QCS) security checks when you arrive and leave
• leaving restricted items like your phone or cigarettes outside the building.

These differences will feel completely normal over time.

Safety and support

Before you start, we'll make sure you're ready for your new work environment.

This includes:

• orientation, safety and security
• your day to day routine
• how to get help and support.

It's also important to remember that you're part of a team. Everyone on site is supportive and understands the challenges of our unique environment. Correctional officers are on hand whenever you need them, and you'll carry an alarm in case of emergencies.

Unique career experience

We work in small multidisciplinary teams. We work to a primary health full scope of practice. You may also get the chance to expand your skills and work beyond the standard scope of practice. For example, nursing staff can do extra training to specialise in things like x-rays and vaccinations.

You'll also be able to move between correctional centres and experience different settings. Every prison clinic is different with new things to learn.

Your working day

Once you start your shift, you'll be inside the prison until the end of your day.

While you're working, you'll get:

• free parking
• a paid lunch break
• a free meal in the prison canteen.

The medical team follows a strict routine as part of the prison’s structured day. There are times when unpredictable events can change the routine. This might mean you’re not able to do your planned duties. Working in a prison means you sometimes need to be flexible and work with QCS to find quick and creative solutions.

Types of care

Prison and youth primary care

We have 9 primary health clinics in correctional centres in the West Moreton region where we:

• diagnose and treat health problems
• manage long term conditions
• give specialist mental health care
• respond to medical and mental health emergencies
• give advice on how to stay well, for example quitting smoking
• help with addictions to alcohol and other drugs.

We also have in-reach services, such as pharmacy, dental and other allied health services.

Some of our clinics have equipment like x-ray machines. If we don’t have specialist facilities on site, we arrange for our patients to be taken to a hospital.

We also transfer patients to a local hospital:

• if their condition becomes more serious
• in an emergency
• for specialist outpatient appointments.

Mental health services

We have 2 types of mental health care across our correctional centres:

• primary mental health care
• mental health in-reach service.

Our primary and in-reach mental health services see people with a wide spectrum of mental health conditions. We treat people based on their individual needs. We work closely with specialists and other services inside and outside the prison to make sure people get the help they need.

Locations

We have staff in the following correctional centres.

• Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre
• Borallon Training and Correctional Centre
• Brisbane Correctional Centre
• Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre
• Brisbane Youth Detention Centre - general health services only
• Helena Jones Centre
• Southern Queensland Correctional Centre
• Wolston Correctional Centre
• West Moreton Youth Detention Centre - general health services only

Join us

We're always looking for:

• primary health nurses
• mental health nurses
• medical officers
• psychiatrists
• social workers
• psychologists
• occupational therapists
• pharmacists and pharmacy assistants
• dentists and dental assistants
• dual diagnosis clinicians
• Indigenous Mental Health Workers.

We need to make sure that our correctional centres stay safe and secure. That means that we need to take a bit longer for our security checks on new staff. The average time it takes from applying for a job to starting work is about 8 weeks.

We'll keep in touch throughout the process so you know what's happening and what to expect.

Find your new prison healthcare role on SmartJobs.