Charge Nurse -RN - Evening - Lower Bucks

Gaudenzia, Inc.•Kingston, ON

9d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking dedicated and caring nurses to step away from the bedside into a rewarding role working directly with clients being treated for substance use disorders and mental health stabilization. While performing day-to-day nursing duties, you will perform very little to no bedside care. This is not a medical-surgical, ICU, or critical care position. Our clients come to us at a critical time of need, and we need excellent nurses who are willing to critically think, follow policy and procedures, and work as part of a team. Gaudenzia's Mission is to promote long-term recovery by providing comprehensive treatment and support to people with substance use disorder, co-occurring mental health disorders, and related conditions, regardless of individual circumstances. The Charge Nurse is responsible for overseeing daily nursing operations within a behavioral health unit. This role ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care, supervises nursing staff, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support patient treatment and recovery.

Requirements

Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing
Minimum 2–3 years of behavioral health or psychiatric nursing experience
Demonstrates strong clinical judgment and prioritization, with the ability to manage multiple patient needs and make timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to coordinate shift-level operations, including staffing assignments, workflow management, and patient flow to ensure safe and efficient care delivery.
Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and related medical needs, with the ability to apply this knowledge in real-time clinical situations.
Demonstrates the ability to supervise, support, and guide nursing staff during assigned shifts, reinforcing clinical standards and addressing performance or workflow concerns.
Ability to recognize and escalate changes in patient condition or operational risk, ensuring timely intervention and appropriate provider involvement.
Knowledge of medication administration, monitoring, and safety practices, with the ability to oversee adherence to protocols and regulatory requirements.
Demonstrates proficiency in clinical documentation and electronic health record (EHR) systems, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate with interdisciplinary teams and serve as a liaison between staff and leadership.
Ability to mentor and support staff development, including onboarding and reinforcement of clinical competencies.
Knowledge of federal, state, and accreditation requirements (e.g., COMAR, CARF, SAMHSA), with the ability to ensure compliance during daily operations.
Demonstrates accountability for quality, safety, and operational efficiency during assigned shifts.
Ability to remain adaptable and maintain composure while managing competing priorities, staffing challenges, and emergent situations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
Prior leadership or charge nurse experience preferred
Crisis Prevention/Intervention (CPI) certification preferred
Prior experience working within a SUD

Responsibilities

Coordinates and oversees real-time nursing operations during assigned shifts, ensuring timely assessments, interventions, and adherence to clinical protocols while maintaining efficient patient flow and care delivery.
Provides on-the-spot clinical leadership, ensuring safe and appropriate care decisions, monitoring patient status, escalating concerns, and ensuring timely provider involvement when needed.
Assigns staff and manages workload distribution to ensure appropriate coverage and efficient operations, facilitating smooth shift transitions and maintaining continuity of care.
Ensures compliance with documentation standards, timelines, and regulatory requirements, overseeing accurate and timely entry into the electronic health record (EHR).
Oversees medication administration practices to ensure safety, accuracy, and compliance with regulations, maintaining secure medication storage and proper documentation.
Provides real-time guidance, education, and mentorship to nursing staff, supporting onboarding of new staff and reinforcing clinical standards and best practices.
Collaborates with providers and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care, facilitating appointments, referrals, and communication to support treatment planning.
Ensures availability of necessary medical supplies and equipment, maintaining a safe and compliant clinical environment, including infection control practices.
Acts as a liaison between frontline staff and leadership, communicating operational concerns, patient issues, and staffing needs, escalating appropriately.
Supports Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager in operational, clinical, and quality initiatives, assuming leadership responsibilities when designated.
Assumes Nurse Managers duties during designated times, not to exceed more than 3 consecutive weeks unless otherwise agreed upon in writing with Human Resources.
Required to work every other weekend as determined necessary by the Nurse Manager and scheduling needs.
Minimum holiday requirement is 1 major summer holiday (Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day) and 1 major winter Holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day (night shift: New Year's Eve)).
This position is deemed essential and will be required to work during inclement weather.
For Gaudenzia sites with multiple programs, you may be required to work in any of the programs based on staffing needs.
Other related duties as assigned by Nurse Supervisor/Manager or designee.
Daily oversight of administering medications and recording this activity in the appropriate medical chart.
Arranging and coordinating all medical, dental, and vision exam appointments.
Ensuring there are adequate medical supplies.
Securing necessary medical records on all clients.