Registered Nurse

Serenity Therapeutic Services is seeking a compassionate, clinically skilled, and dependable Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team at our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF), which serves adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.

The Registered Nurse is responsible for providing comprehensive nursing care, medication management, health assessments, medical coordination, and health education while ensuring compliance with all state, federal, licensing, and accreditation requirements. The RN works collaboratively with psychiatrists, therapists, direct care staff, and other healthcare professionals to support the physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being of residents.

The ideal candidate will have strong assessment skills, experience in behavioral health or pediatric nursing, and a passion for working with adolescents in a therapeutic residential environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Nursing Care

• Perform comprehensive nursing assessments upon admission and throughout treatment.
• Monitor residents' physical health status.
• Assess residents for illness, injury, medication side effects, and changes in condition.
• Develop and implement nursing care plans as appropriate.
• Respond promptly to medical emergencies.
• Provide first aid and emergency nursing care when necessary.
• Coordinate medical appointments, specialty care, laboratory testing, and diagnostic services.

Medication Management

• Administer medications safely and accurately in accordance with physician orders and facility policies.
• Monitor medication effectiveness and potential adverse reactions.
• Maintain accurate Medication Administration Records (MARs).
• Conduct medication counts and ensure proper medication storage and security.
• Educate residents regarding medications and treatment plans.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists regarding medication concerns or needed adjustments.

Medical Coordination

• Coordinate care with physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, therapists, pharmacies, hospitals, and community healthcare providers.
• Schedule and track medical, dental, vision, and specialty appointments.
• Ensure timely follow-up care after hospitalizations or emergency room visits.
• Review laboratory results and communicate findings appropriately.

Documentation

• Complete timely and accurate nursing documentation.
• Maintain confidential medical records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
• Document assessments, interventions, medication administration, physician communications, and resident education.
• Complete incident reports and follow-up documentation as required.

Infection Prevention and Safety

• Monitor infection prevention practices throughout the facility.
• Educate staff regarding infection control procedures.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA standards and bloodborne pathogen regulations.
• Monitor immunization records and communicable disease protocols.
• Conduct routine health and safety inspections related to nursing care.

Resident and Family Education

• Educate residents regarding personal health, hygiene, nutrition, medication compliance, and wellness.
• Provide health education to families as appropriate.
• Support residents in developing healthy lifestyle habits.
• Participate in discharge planning and continuity of care.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in treatment team meetings.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, therapists, psychologists, case managers, direct care staff, and leadership.
• Provide nursing input during treatment planning.
• Communicate significant medical concerns to the treatment team promptly

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:
• North Carolina PRTF regulations

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program.

Licensure*

• Current, unrestricted North Carolina Registered Nurse (RN) license.

Experience Requirements

Required

Minimum of 2 years of nursing experience*.

Preferred

Experience in one or more of the following

• Behavioral health
• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)
• Pediatric nursing
• Residential treatment
• Inpatient psychiatric hospital
• Emergency nursing
• School nursing
• Substance use treatment
• Residential behavioral health

Preferred Certifications

• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or equivalent
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Trauma-Informed Care Certification
• Behavioral Health Nursing Certification
• Medication Administration Instructor Certification (preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent clinical assessment skills.
• Knowledge of psychiatric medications and potential side effects.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development and behavioral health.
• Ability to respond effectively during emergencies.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Strong documentation and computer skills.
• Knowledge of electronic health records (EHR).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the facility.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely respond to emergencies.
• Ability to assist during approved crisis intervention procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.

Work Schedule

• Full-time, part-time, and PRN positions available.
• Day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Rotating schedules may be required.
• On-call responsibilities may be assigned based on operational needs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision and other supplemental insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Current CPR certification (required).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Medicaid requirements
• HIPAA
• OSHA
• Nursing Practice Act
• Medication administration standards
• Infection control guidelines
• Serenity Therapeutic Services policies and procedures

Pay: From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person