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) provides on-site nursing and attendant care to adolescents residing in the Youth Residential Recovery program. This role delivers direct care, nursing services, and medication administration to adolescents aged 13 to 18.5 participating in substance use disorder treatment. The position works weekends, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM 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 offers comprehensive services, including individual and family therapy, daily therapeutic groups, case management, and academic time. Youth receive coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team, including clinicians, case managers, medical staff, and residential counselors.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care, nursing services, and medication administration to residents as prescribed by program regulations and individual treatment plans, including collecting medical specimens.
• Maintain records, including medication administration, medical records, and charts.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings as needed.
• Train milieu 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 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 or refused.
• Educate clients and guardians about recommended medications, including reasons 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 these to parents/guardians and answer questions.
• Review and interpret labs to monitor residents' medical status and drug levels; notify appropriate personnel if lab values are abnormal.
• Assist milieu staff with unit operations, groups, and other tasks as appropriate.
• Run age-appropriate health education groups.
• Work flexibly with the team to accommodate changes as directed by the Program Coordinator or 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, report high-risk cases, and utilize problem-solving and feedback.
• Ensure corporate compliance, including documentation aligned with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Complete 95% of all paperwork by the due date.
• Exhibit enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and a cooperative spirit in the work environment.
• Maintain effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors, and the public. Use language and behavior that promotes dignity and respect.
• Respond effectively to client needs and problems, initiating and maintaining positive interactions and timely responses to communications.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to develop therapeutic alliances with consumers and work effectively and with cultural competence with diverse backgrounds.
• Participate in staff development activities to enhance professional growth.
• Address the whole health needs of consumers by ensuring appropriate releases for physical health care providers and making referrals as needed.
• Assess and treat individuals with various disorders within the scope of expertise.
• Utilize a range of appropriate clinical and recovery-focused interventions based on clinical need.
• Understand how trauma impacts the lives of those served and ensure interactions are consistent with the recovery process and reduce re-traumatization.
• Participate in training programs on Trauma-Informed Care and the impact of trauma and recovery.
• Endorse the Center’s belief that drug testing can serve as a therapeutic tool, deterrent to substance use, and safety measure for prescribing psychotropic medications.
• Promote a positive, supportive, and 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 to provide adequate coverage.
• Note: This is an awake position for the entire shift. Staff working with youth must be in good medical, mental, physical, and emotional health, free from communicable diseases, and current on all recommended adult immunizations. The role may involve lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds. In rare situations, staff may assist in safely holding a youth for up to 60 seconds.

Requirements

• Completed degree from an accredited school of nursing.
• Active RN or 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.
• CPR/First Aid Certification preferred or obtain within two months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong assessment skills in various fields.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and excellent documentation skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Skills or experience in integrated health approaches.

Pay

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

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

The salary range includes a 10% differential for working with youth in a 24/7 residential setting. The range is based on 1.0 FTE (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.