What Types of Health Certification are Available?

Target Population: Adult/Juvenile Correctional Officers Community Corrections Officers Allied Behavioral Health Staff Eligibility is extended to Correctional Officers, Community Corrections Officers, and Allied Behavioral Health Staff, who, because of their education, credentials, and experience, are associated with the provision of behavioral health services for mentally ill inmates or offenders.

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Adult/ Juvenile Correctional Officer (CBHC-CO)

A. Correctional Officers: Individuals responsible for the custody, safety, security, and supervision of inmates in a correctional facility.

1. Current county, state, or federal correctional officer certification. Equivalent of one year accumulated experience in a prison, jail/detention facility or community/work release center providing custodial supervision and working with behavioral/mental health staff in providing care for inmates/offenders in an inpatient mental health unit, residential treatment unit, secure therapeutic unit, intensive management unit, behavioral adjustment unit or other specialized unit or program for inmates with mental illness;
2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.
   
   

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Community Corrections Officer (CBHC-CC)

B. Community Corrections Officers:  Individuals, including probation or parole officers, that supervise offenders who have been sentenced to non-custodial sanctions or those released from incarceration.

1. Current county, state, or federal community corrections officer certification Equivalent of one year accumulated experience coordinating with community-based behavioral/mental health providers and/or court systems in the supervision of mentally ill offenders.  
2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS)

Allied Behavioral Health Staff:  Nursing, medical support staff, and individuals under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional that provide rehabilitative, recreational, case management, re-entry planning, psycho-educational and other supportive services to mentally ill inmates/offenders.

1. Equivalent of two years accumulated experience providing structured activities, psycho-educational programs, nursing/medical support, recreational, and other supportive behavioral services in a mental health setting.  At least one of the two years must be in a correctional or juvenile justice facility for inmates/offenders in an inpatient mental health unit, residential treatment unit, secure therapeutic unit, intensive management unit, behavioral adjustment unit or other specialized unit or program for inmates with mental illness.
2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.

This category includes individuals who manage major health related units or programs within a correctional setting. They are management staff who may contribute to the development of policy and procedures, are responsible for their implementation, and have authority over staff members. They plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the health care system. Qualification: Licensed RN with three years’ experience; or, Degree requirements: - Bachelor of Science Degree in a health related field or a Bachelor degree in Business or Health Management; or, - Master of Science in Administration, or  - Master of Public Health, or  - Master of Health Services Administration Minimum of three years’ experience as a HSA. The requirement of an RN license or other provisions in order to take the examination may be waived at the discretion of the American Correctional Association.

Correctional Nurse

Certified Corrections Nurse (CCN)

This category includes staff nurses, who work in a correctional environment and who work with both staff and offenders. It includes those responsible for implementing agency policies and procedures. Qualification: Licensed RN, LPN, LVN One (1) year work experience in correctional nursing in present position

 

 

Correctional Nurse Manager

 Certified Corrections Nurse/Manager (CCN/M)

This category includes individuals who work as nurse managers in a correctional environment. They are management staff who may contribute to the development of policy and procedures, are responsible for the implementation and have authority over staff nurses.  Qualification: Associate, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science in Nursing, or three-year Nursing Diploma  Licensed RN One year work experience in correctional nursing in present position as a correctional nurse manager