Registered Nurse - Acute Care Services

North Central Health Care • Wausau, WI

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse Acute Care Services provides comprehensive medical and behavioral health nursing care to individuals experiencing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and co-occurring physical health needs. This role is responsible for assessment, care coordination, medication management, and discharge planning within a short-term stabilization or medically managed treatment setting. The RN collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams, community providers, and support systems to ensure safe, person-centered care that promotes stabilization, recovery, and successful transition to community-based services.

Requirements

• Current Wisconsin Registered Nurse license.
• Current BLS certification
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and use of a personal car
• Excellent problem critical thinking and solving skills
• Good clinical judgment skills
• Physical ability to participate in physical restraints of patients when necessary

Nice To Haves

• Bachelors of Science in Nursing

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments of clients’ physical health, mental health, and substance use needs; develop and implement individualized care plans.
• Interview clients to obtain medical, psychiatric, and social history to inform treatment and discharge planning.
• Monitor, evaluate, and document client status, response to treatment, and progress toward goals.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members including social workers, behavioral health professionals, providers, and community partners.
• Facilitate safe and effective discharge planning, ensuring continuity of care and connection to community resources.
• Administer medications in accordance with provider orders and organizational policies, including oral and injectable medications.
• Collaborate with pharmacies, primary care providers, and outpatient clinics to verify medication orders and ensure accuracy.
• Prepare and organize medications (e.g., pill planners) to support safe transitions to community care.
• Provide medication and care-related education to clients, families, and staff to support treatment adherence and understanding.
• Lead or facilitate therapeutic group sessions focused on recovery, education, and skill development.
• Coordinate and schedule follow-up medical and behavioral health appointments, including support for complex or high-risk cases.
• Perform clinical tasks such as TB testing and monitoring and support placement-related medical requirements.
• Assess clients for withdrawal symptoms, medical instability, and behavioral health risks, and respond appropriately.
• Identify changes in client condition and communicate findings to the care team to support timely interventions.
• Investigate medication errors, conduct audits, identify trends, and implement process improvements to enhance patient safety.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Provide guidance, direction, and clinical support to Behavioral Health Professionals (BHPs) and other staff.
• Educate and support staff on medication administration practices, client care needs, and safety protocols.
• Participate in crisis response and utilize de-escalation techniques to maintain safety for clients and staff.
• Support a therapeutic and recovery-oriented environment by promoting client engagement, safety, and dignity throughout care delivery.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• PTO
• paid holidays
• health insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• on-site bistro and cafeteria
• employee assistance program
• newly updated facility
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - hybrid defined benefit plan with 100% employer match on employee contribution of 7.2%

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree