This position requires a thorough understanding of the facility’s treatment program and philosophy, admission process and criteria, support and administrative services, medical knowledge of substance abuse disorders, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, dual diagnosis.  This individual is a member of the treatment team providing professional level of nursing care to patients under minimum supervision and consultation.  This is a complex position which directs and guides activities on the unit and assignments of ancillary personnel assigned to unit and shift.

Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Complete an accurate assessment of newly admitted patients; conduct fall risk and SBQR assessments and establish precautionary measures.
• Perform accurate assessments for safe detox using COWS & CIWAS.
• Calls the appropriate team member (i.e., on call provider) with all non-life threatening medical and medication issues to obtain guidance regarding his/her plan of action for the patient; documents in the EMR.
• Coordinates with the medical providers and other interdisciplinary team on the plan of care to provide the individual treatment needed. Ensures that care plans are kept current.
• Responds to medical and psychiatric concomitants in treatment and develops nursing interventions that are appropriate for the situation.
• Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals, teaching patient to understand condition, medications, and self-care requirements, answers patient questions.
• Cross trains in medication administration in order to complete safe medication passes following standards of care per the Board of Nursing.
• Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following philosophies and standards of care set by State Board of Nursing,  and other governing agency regulations.
• Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies, including de-escalation techniques.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to:  infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance handling.
• Maintains continuity among teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.  Ensures compliance with Patient Privancy, HIPPA and Joint Commission Standards.
• Provides oversight to ensure face checks are completed based on hospital policy.
• Responds appropriately to all Code Calls.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications.  Provides CEU documents for annual review.
• Follows the incident reporting policy and procedure in reporting any unsafe/unusual  safety issues.
• Functions as a role model for nursing staff.
• Role models problem solving as the effective means of resolving conflict.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with staff, management, and other members of the health care team.
• Effectively prioritizes communication issues pertaining to all departments and provides collaborative intervention as necessary.
• Provides clinical direction to staff and evaluates the level of care provided by the nursing staff on assigned shifts; holds staff accountable for functioning in a reduced risk manner.
• Functions with an awareness of patient safety issues and applies basic principles of safety as identified within the facility.
• Mentors and assists with providing essential training to the new staff.
• Assists in the development of the discharge plan and review and educate patients of discharge plan care.
• At end of shift communicates to incoming RN pertinent data regarding patient activity or needs.
• Treats patients, and colleagues with dignity and respect; honors each person’r right to privacy/ maintains very strict patient and colleague confidentiality; respects all individuals’ differences; supports cultural diversity.
• Consistently arrives to work on time and adheres to attendance policies.
• Other duties, as needed. 

Education/ Experience:

• Associates Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) Required 
• Knowledge of addiction and drug treatment preferred
• Ability to read and interpret written information; write clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar. Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; and participates in meetings
• Working knowledge of EMR

Certifications and Licenses:

• Current RN License in in State of operations required
• CPR and First Aid Certified
• CARN encouraged

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Experienced RNs will function as Charge Nurse.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged sitting at a desk
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time

Compensation Transparency: In accordance with the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act, the reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position $46.00-$54.00 flat rate per hour (does not include shift differentials). Actual compensation within this range will depend on the candidate’s skills, experience, education, and relevant qualifications. Generally, placement within the upper portion of the range is reserved for candidates with several years of directly related experience or exceptional expertise.