Registered Nurse

Full-time residential program located at 1000 Atlantic Avenue, Camden, NJ (Virtua facility). Population: Adolescents.

Pay

• $47.00 per hour base pay
• $48.50 per hour for 2nd shift (3:00 PM – 11:30 PM) including a $1.50 shift differential

Schedule

• Varied hours including day, evening, and weekend shifts

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or BSN from an accredited college or university in nursing, social work, psychology, or a related field
• Current NJ RN license
• Valid driver’s license
• At least one year of direct care nursing experience with adolescents in behavioral and mental health
• 18 years of age or older
• Ability to pass Criminal Record History Clearance and Child Abuse History Clearance
• Ability to physically participate in therapeutic holds and maintain biannual certification
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Basic computer skills

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discounts on gym memberships, cell phone packages, hotels, rental cars, computers, amusement parks, theater tickets, and more

Responsibilities

• Assessment, coordination, and provision of youth’s health care needs
• Expert consultation and guidance to staff regarding medication and health issues for youth
• Establish supportive, motivational, and therapeutic relationships with youth, ensuring safety, security, and responsible residential care
• Develop and maintain working relationships with community providers and parents
• Work collaboratively with prescribing medical staff and pharmacy providers
• Daily supervision and awareness of all youth’s whereabouts
• Serve as a role model and coach for youth in problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, independent living skills, and responsibilities
• Observe, document, and intervene in youth’s behavior, physical and emotional symptoms, and perform behavioral management interventions as needed
• Read and implement all youth’s treatment plans, including daily living and/or behavior plans developed by a multi-disciplinary team
• Assist youth with skill-building activities and educate them on health, hygiene, and disease prevention
• Consistently implement all program policies and procedures, including the behavioral motivational system
• Promote and generate enthusiasm for programming
• Consult and communicate with supervisors, directors, and clinicians concerning behavior issues and program needs
• Perform light housekeeping duties to maintain a neat, clean, and orderly environment
• Transport and/or accompany youth to appointments or field trips outside the program
• Administer medication when necessary
• Provide medical and behavioral nursing services to youth, ensuring their medical, dental, psychological, or psychiatric needs are met
• Secure consent for medication administration from parent/guardian as necessary
• Schedule and document medical appointments
• Consult with Program Director and medical staff regarding medication systems, including ordering, storage, administration, and documentation
• Provide technical support to program management and staff on medication systems and procedures
• Ensure medications are handled according to licensing standards and statute requirements, administered safely and effectively, including accurate dosages
• Monitor standards and compliance issues related to medication administration
• Strict administration, control, and dispensation of narcotics in accordance with policy
• Perform and monitor effective use of the electronic medication administration system
• Train staff responsible for medication administration, including proper reporting procedures and responses to medical emergencies
• Assist with the development, implementation, and updating of policies and procedures relating to client health care
• Assist youth, staff, and parents in understanding and managing mental health issues
• Provide educational groups as programming requires and document client attendance and interaction
• Maintain current knowledge of medications and health care related to mental illness and train staff accordingly
• Perform health screening and assessment for all new admissions and ongoing assessments for medication side effects and drug interactions
• Review youth’s knowledge of and compliance with medications, providing individual health education and medication monitoring
• Advocate on behalf of youth in relation to the medical system
• Process medication changes and make follow-up calls as needed
• Make recommendations regarding youth health status for additional assessment, evaluation, or unscheduled psychiatric visits
• Provide direction in the event of a medical emergency and support all residential programs by responding to medical issues requiring an RN’s attention
• Familiarize with all co-workers’ job functions to initiate appropriate internal referrals (e.g., nurse, clinician, principal)
• Participate in quality improvement activities and demonstrate a willingness to accept direction and supervision
• Dress professionally and appropriately as outlined in the Dress Code Policy
• Notify the State Central Registry (1-877-NJ ABUSE) if there is reasonable cause to believe a youth has been abused or neglected
• Demonstrate a commitment to eliminating restraint and seclusion
• Provide services in a culturally and linguistically competent manner
• Support constructive youth and family visitation and youth involvement in community activities
• Achieve and maintain training in the Nurtured Heart Approach, utilizing its 3 Stands and Recognitions with youth, families, and co-workers
• Perform other duties as assigned, including mandatory extra shifts, special tasks (e.g., ordering supplies, shopping, fire drills, pharmacy runs), aiding in training new employees, and driving program vehicles

Training Requirements

• Handle with Care training biannually
• All Training Academy classes and ongoing training as developed
• First Aid and CPR certification (maintained annually)