Nursing - RN

Discovery Behavioral Health•Chicago, IL

2d•$43 - $47•Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) is a member of a multidisciplinary team providing compassionate, evidence-based care in alignment with the Discovery Behavioral Health Clinical Model. The RN serves as a clinical expert and patient advocate, supporting patient safety, stability, and progress in recovery. Through assessment, intervention, and collaboration with the treatment team, the RN helps maintain a therapeutic environment grounded in trust, dignity, and clinical excellence, integrating medical and behavioral health care to support patient outcomes. The role includes evaluating prospective admissions, completing nursing assessments, developing care plans, monitoring and addressing medical needs, administering and managing medications, educating patients and staff, coordinating with families and care providers, and maintaining accurate documentation and regulatory compliance. Additional responsibilities vary by program division. Residential treatment duties may include patient transportation and supervision. Substance and mental health programs may require monitoring detoxification protocols. Eating disorder programs may include meal supervision and NG tube care.

Requirements

Current RN license in good standing.
Ability to draw blood.
Current Basic Life Support (CPR and First Aid) certification.
Obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire.
Knowledge of industry standards, nursing organization, theory, principles and research processes, accreditation and regulatory standards, clinical care assessment based on nursing principles, and scope of practice.
Familiarity with behavior change, recovery models, and treatment methods.
Knowledge of medications, indications, dosage ranges, side effects, and potential toxicity.
For residential treatment transportation duties, must be pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred; an Associate Degree in Nursing is accepted.
One year of experience in mental health, substance use, or eating disorders preferred.
Experience as a staff nurse, preferably in chemical dependency and/or behavioral health.
For the Eating Disorder Division, obtain Serv Safe certification within 90 days of hire if applicable.

Responsibilities

Evaluate prospective admissions face-to-face for medical appropriateness and collaborate with medical and psychiatric providers to obtain admission orders.
Support admissions, including belongings checks and safety searches as needed, and complete initial nursing assessments and the medical admission process.
Develop and initiate Nursing Care Plans as appropriate.
Assess medical concerns, including suicidality and risk of harm to self or others, and communicate findings to the appropriate clinical team members.
Perform vital signs, basic evaluative procedures, tests, and blood draws.
Provide first aid, determine when physician notification is needed, and ensure timely intervention.
Maintain a safe, structured, therapeutic milieu and supervise patients, including during community outings in compliance with state regulations.
Assist with discharge and support continuity of care and readiness for the next level of care.
Carry out provider orders accurately and promptly; verify informed consent before the first medication dose.
Administer prescribed medications, including PRN medications, and document their effectiveness within required timelines.
Oversee medication planning, storage, ordering, transcribing, administration, monitoring, and evaluation; ensure required medications are available at the facility.
Follow narcotic diversion protocols and complete required processes each shift.
Collaborate with medical staff and the interdisciplinary treatment team on patient care, needs, and interventions.
Communicate with families and loved ones as appropriate, and establish professional, compassionate, respectful rapport with patients.
Provide health education to patients and staff.
Communicate with referral sources and outpatient providers at admission, midpoint, and discharge as needed to support continuity of care.
Coordinate patient medical needs, including appointments, referrals, and prior authorizations for treatments and tests.
Document patient progress objectively, accurately, and on time, and maintain accurate records of medication administration, assessments, and care activities.
Ensure clinical practices comply with regulatory standards, organizational expectations, and policies.
Maintain a fully stocked, organized, operational nursing station and an organized, safe, therapeutic environment.
Demonstrate professionalism, initiative, accountability, teamwork, flexibility, and shared responsibility; perform additional duties as assigned.
Communicate scheduling needs in a timely manner, including requesting time off and securing appropriate coverage.
For residential treatment, provide patient transportation and supervision, including to medical appointments, if pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle.
For the Substance and Mental Health Use Disorder Division, monitor CIWA/COW scores for patients on detoxification protocols and provide pertinent nursing information to Utilization Review.
For the Eating Disorder Division, sit with patients for at least one meal or snack per week and as needed to cover the program schedule, supervise and support patients during meal periods, and maintain NG tubes and administer bolus feeds where applicable.
For the Eating Disorder Division, avoid comments or actions that contradict the CFD Clinical Model and Dietary CARE model, and adhere to Center for Discovery policies and procedures.