Nurse, Youth Residential Recovery

At Jefferson Center, we are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

About the role

The Youth Residential Recovery Nurse (RN/LPN) will provide on-site nursing and attendant care to adolescents residing in the center’s Youth Residential Recovery program. This includes direct care, nursing services, and medication administration to adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18.5 participating in substance use disorder treatment.

This position works weekends, 9:00am to 9:00pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Jefferson Center's Youth Residential Recovery (YRR) program is a structured and supportive environment designed to help adolescents build stability, strengthen coping skills, and process their recovery journey. The program provides comprehensive services including individual and family therapy, daily therapeutic groups, case management, and academic time. Youth receive coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team—such as clinicians, case managers, medical staff, and residential counselors—to support their emotional, behavioral needs, relapse prevention plans, discharge plans, and family support plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care, nursing services, and medication administration to residents as prescribed by program regulations and/or individual treatment plans, including collecting medical specimens.
• Maintain records, including medication administration, medical records, and medical charts.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings as needed.
• Train milieu staff and other staff in medication protocols.
• Document in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Perform patient assessments for new admissions.
• Evaluate clients’ mental health status through assessment, observation, and gathering of collateral data on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain a working knowledge of commonly prescribed psychiatric medications, including indications, side effects, contraindications, and therapeutic ranges of lab values.
• Administer medications safely and document all medications received and/or refused.
• Educate clients and their guardians about recommended medications, including reasons for medication and possible side effects, and obtain consent.
• Collaborate effectively with the multidisciplinary team (physician, therapists, milieu counselors, administrative team).
• Record and document nursing assessments, labs, procedures, medical care, shift notes, and medication administration in a timely manner.
• Coordinate discharge when a higher level of care is appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with outside providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Prepare discharge summaries and instructions, including medication management, laboratory values, and their significance to treatment. Communicate discharge instructions to parents/guardians and answer questions.
• Review and interpret labs to monitor residents’ medical status and drug levels, and notify appropriate personnel if lab values are outside normal limits.
• Assist milieu staff with running the unit and groups when appropriate.
• Run age-appropriate health education groups.
• Work flexibly with the team to accommodate changes as directed by the Program Coordinator or Program Manager.
• Participate in ongoing staff development, curriculum, and training.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements.
• Maintain professional and ethical behavior at all times.
• Follow all Jefferson Center policies and procedures and maintain appropriate professional standards.
• Assist in conducting random urine drug testing.
• Attend mandatory in-services and comply with individualized training plans if required.
• Participate in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda, reporting high-risk/problem cases, and utilizing a problem-solving approach.
• Ensure corporate compliance, including documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Complete 95% of all paperwork by the due date.
• Exhibit enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and a spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Maintain effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors, and the general public using language and behavior that promotes dignity and respect.
• Respond effectively to client/consumer needs and problems, initiating and maintaining positive interactions and timely responses to phone calls, emails, and other requests.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to develop a therapeutic alliance with consumers and work effectively and with cultural competence with consumers from diverse backgrounds.
• Participate in staff development activities to enhance professional growth.
• Address the whole health needs of the consumer by ensuring appropriate releases are in place for physical health care providers and making referrals when significant physical health needs are identified.
• Assess and treat individuals with various disorders within the scope of one’s expertise.
• Utilize a range of appropriate clinical and recovery-focused interventions according to clinical need.
• Understand how trauma impacts the lives of those served, ensuring every interaction is consistent with the recovery process and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
• Participate in the Center’s training/educational programs designed to enhance knowledge about Trauma-Informed Care, the impact of trauma, and trauma recovery.
• Endorse the Center’s belief that drug testing can be an effective therapeutic tool as a deterrent to substance use, a safety measure for prescribing psychotropic medications, and support for successful abstinence.
• Participate in and promote a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Stay up to date on all internal trainings and licensing requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including temporarily stepping into another role based on qualifications and credentialing requirements to provide adequate coverage on the unit or other units. No staff will be asked to step into a position they are not qualified for.
• In rare and extreme situations, assist in safely holding a youth for up to 60 seconds.

Requirements

• Completed degree from an accredited school of nursing.
• Active RN/LPN license in Colorado (DORA registration).
• Two or more years of experience in a related field.
• Knowledge of ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria.
• Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Valid Driver’s License with a driving record that meets agency requirements.
• Staff working with youth must be in good medical, mental, physical, and emotional health, free from communicable diseases, and current on all immunizations routinely recommended for adults.
• The role may involve lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong assessment skills in various fields.
• Critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and excellent documentation skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Skills or experience in integrated health approaches.
• CPR/First Aid Certification (or obtain within two months of hire).

Pay

Salary Grade 12 (LPN): $62,920 to $67,496*

Salary Grade 15 (RN): $74,030 to $94,270*

The salary range above includes a 10% differential for working with youth in a 24/7 residential setting. The range is based on 1.0 FTE (full-time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated.

Benefits

Hiring Bonus: $2,500 at one-month anniversary, $2,500 at six-month anniversary, and $2,500 at one-year anniversary ($7,500 total).

*Must work a minimum of 20 hours/week to be eligible for the bonus. Current Jefferson Center employees are not eligible. Bonuses are earned only upon reaching the continuous employment milestone dates.

Schedule

Weekends: 9:00am to 9:00pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This is an awake position for the entire shift.