RN Behavioral Health, Outpatient Addictions

St. Mary's Healthcare•Amsterdam, NY

About The Position

St. Mary’s Healthcare is hiring a full-time Registered Nurse for outpatient behavioral health and addiction services. The role is a day-shift position with a 32-hour workweek. The hiring range is $36.67–$44.69 per hour; additional compensation may apply based on shifts worked. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law. The nurse provides assessments and ongoing monitoring of patients’ physical and behavioral health, administers methadone and other medications safely, and supports care for opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders. The role includes medication education, overdose prevention and response, care coordination, patient education, accurate documentation, regulatory compliance, and participation in quality improvement and staff education. Care should be trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and nonjudgmental.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Diploma from an accredited school or college of nursing.
Ability to organize and establish day-to-day priorities while using critical thinking skills.
Ability to multitask while remaining professional, focused, composed, and positive.
Excellent customer service skills; integrity, friendliness, and compassion.
Ability to establish appropriate and effective rapport with others.
Flexibility and initiative; ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Effective critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to take and follow direction positively and appropriately.
Ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
Effective and appropriate written and oral communication skills.
Ability to speak, read, write, and follow instructions in English.

Nice To Haves

Experience in substance use disorder treatment or an OASAS-certified program.
Experience administering methadone in an opioid treatment program (OTP).
Experience with medication-assisted treatment/medications for opioid use disorder and withdrawal monitoring.

Responsibilities

Perform nursing assessments, obtain vital signs, and monitor patients’ physical and behavioral health status.
Assess for intoxication, withdrawal, overdose, medication adverse effects, and changes in clinical condition; communicate significant findings and concerns to the medical provider and interdisciplinary team.
Respond to medical emergencies and initiate emergency services when indicated.
Administer methadone safely in accordance with provider orders, OASAS requirements, applicable DEA/BNE regulations, and program policies.
Verify patient identity, medication orders, and clinical appropriateness before medication administration.
Monitor for sedation, intoxication, withdrawal, adverse reactions, and other safety concerns; withhold or delay medication when clinically indicated and notify the authorized medical provider.
Document methadone administration, missed or withheld doses, medication changes, and related clinical assessments accurately.
Maintain security, storage, inventory, and accountability of methadone and other controlled substances.
Administer other ordered medications and provide medication education and monitoring.
Support take-home medication processes in accordance with applicable regulations and program policies.
Support treatment of opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders.
Educate patients about methadone, MOUD, overdose prevention, naloxone, medication safety, and harm reduction.
Recognize and respond to suspected opioid overdose, including administering naloxone when appropriate.
Monitor patients receiving MOUD and communicate treatment-related concerns to the medical provider.
Collaborate with medical providers, counselors, social workers, peer specialists, and other interdisciplinary team members.
Participate in treatment planning and coordinate referrals to medical, behavioral health, and community resources.
Educate patients about medications, chronic disease management, preventive health, smoking cessation, and recovery.
Promote a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and nonjudgmental approach to patient care.
Maintain timely, accurate, clinically appropriate medical-record documentation and protect confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA.
Comply with OASAS, New York State, federal, and organizational requirements related to nursing practice, medication administration, controlled substances, and patient safety.
Participate in quality improvement, staff education, competency validation, and required program activities.