Charge Nurse

About the Role

The Charge Nurse is a working medical leader responsible for providing direct patient care while supporting nursing operations during assigned shifts in a residential behavioral health setting. This role serves as a liaison between nursing leadership and frontline staff to ensure safe, effective, and compliant patient care. The Charge Nurse spends the majority of time performing hands-on nursing duties, while also assisting with staff coordination, clinical guidance, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Shift Coordination
  • Assist with shift coordination and assignment delegation
  • Provide real-time coaching and feedback
  • Escalate performance concerns to management
  • Ensure nursing staff adheres to policies, procedures, and standards of practice
  • Assist with shift coverage and assignments of duties
  • Address staffing issues and escalate concerns as necessary to supervisor
  • Audit nursing documentation for quality and compliance; support staff in correcting deficiencies
  • Ensure all nursing documentation is completed accurately and within timeframes in the EMR, including MARs, assessments, and incident reports
  • Ensure all incidents are reported immediately per policy, including completion of incident reports before end of shift when applicable
• Client Care
  • Provide direct and indirect nursing care to clients in a residential behavioral health setting
  • Perform hands-on duties alongside nursing staff
  • Collaborate with leadership to ensure appropriate treatment protocols
  • Utilize trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques (CPI)
  • Participate in admissions/intake assessments as needed
  • Administer medications as prescribed; verify MAR documentation and report discrepancies immediately
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Communicate effectively with physicians, counselors, and other healthcare professionals to develop and update treatment plans
  • Lead or participate in team meetings to discuss patient care, progress, and challenges
  • Ensure all patient documentation is accurate and up-to-date, including nursing assessments, progress notes, and treatment plans
• Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure safety protocols and infection control measures are strictly followed
  • Monitor and report any adverse events, complications, or changes in patient condition
  • Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory standards, including Joint Commission standards, Environment of Care, Medication Management, and National Patient Safety Goals
  • Maintain survey readiness at all times
  • Assist with incident reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
  • Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations
  • Respond to emergencies and adverse reactions, providing timely interventions
• Training & Education
  • Support and guide newly hired nurses through their training period
  • Promote ongoing professional development and education for nursing staff
• Detox Protocol (if applicable)
  • Assess and monitor patients undergoing detoxification from alcohol, drugs, or other substances
  • Perform physical assessments and monitor vital signs, withdrawal symptoms, and overall health status
  • Administer medications as prescribed to manage withdrawal symptoms
  • Provide support and education to patients regarding their detoxification process and treatment options
  • Stay updated on evidence-based practices for detoxification and substance abuse treatment
  • When assigned to detox services, monitor withdrawal using approved assessment tools (e.g., CIWA, COWS), administer protocol-driven medications, and escalate to provider as clinically indicated
• Other Duties

  Other duties may be assigned within the scope of practice for a licensed RN.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse (RN) with a valid license
• At least 3-5 years of experience in nursing, preferably in addiction medicine, detoxification, or behavioral health settings
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training required (completed within the first month of employment)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred
• Certification in psychiatric or addiction nursing preferred

Skills

• Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage crisis situations and emergencies
• Knowledge of behavioral health and substance use disorders
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment

Work Environment

This is an in-person role requiring daily face-to-face interaction with staff and clients. Responsibilities may include sitting at a desk, working on a computer, meeting with clients, and completing paperwork. The position requires working in a temperature-controlled environment, standing for periods of time, and occasional lifting of 50 lbs or more. Potential exposure to violent situations, airborne/blood-borne pathogens, or other potentially infectious materials.