Nurse, Youth Residential Recovery

Job Description

Job Description

**HIRING BONUS**

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

The Youth Residential Recovery Nurse (RN/LPN) will provide on-site nursing and attendant care to adolescents residing in the center’s Youth Residential Recovery program. The RN/LPN will provide direct care, nursing services, and medication administration to adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18.5 participating in substance use disorder treatment. This position works weekends, 9:00am to 9:00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Jefferson Center's Youth Residential Recovery (YRR) program is a structured and supportive environment designed to help adolescents build stability, strengthen coping skills and process their recovery journey. The program provides comprehensive services including individual and family therapy, daily therapeutic groups, case management and academic time. Youth receive coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team- such as clinicians, case manager, medical staff and residential counselors. This team works together to support the adolescents with their emotional, behavioral needs, as well as a creating relapse prevention plans, discharge plans and a family support plan.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide direct care, nursing services and medication administration to residents as prescribed by program regulations, and/or individual treatment plan, including collecting medical specimens.
• Maintains records, including but not limited to medication administration, medical records, medical charts, etc.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings as needed.
• Training of milieu staff and other staff as needed in medication protocols.
• Documentation in EMR.
• Performs patient assessments for new admissions.
• Evaluate client’s mental health status through assessment, observation and gathering of collateral data on an ongoing basis.
• Provide direct care, nursing services and medication administration to clients as prescribed by program regulations, and/or individual treatment plan, including collecting medical specimens.
• Maintain a working knowledge of commonly prescribed psychiatric medications including but not limited to; indications, side effects, contraindications and therapeutic ranges of lab values.
• Administer medications in a safe, error-free manner. Document all medications received and/or refused.
• Ability to educate clients and their guardians about recommended medications, including reason for medication and possible side effects including obtaining consent.
• Collaborates effectively with the multi-disciplinary team (physician, therapists, milieu counselors, administrative team).
• Records and documents appropriately nursing assessment, labs, procedures, medical care, shift notes and medication administration in a timely manner.
• Coordinate when needed on discharge when a higher level of care is appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with outside providers to provide continuity of care as best as possible.
• Prepare discharge summary and instructions, including; medication management, laboratory values and their significance to treatment. Communicate the discharge instructions to the parents/guardians and answer any questions as needed.
• Review and interpret labs in order to monitor the residents’ medical status and drug levels and notify appropriate personnel, if lab values are not within normal limits.
• Assist milieu staff with running of the unit, groups etc. when appropriate.
• Run an age appropriate health education group.
• Ability to work with the team and be flexible to accommodate changes as dictated by the program Coordinator or Program Manager.
• Participate in ongoing staff development, curriculum and training.
• Understands and will adhere to mandated reporting requirements.
• Maintain professional and ethical behavior at all times.
• Adheres to all Jefferson Center Policies and Procedures and maintains appropriate professional standards.
• Assist in conducting Random Urine Drug Testing.
• Attends mandatory in-services; compliance with individualized training plan if required.
• Participates in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Reports high risk/problem cases and utilizes a problem solving approach as well as feedback. Attends supervision at times and interval agreed upon with supervisor.
• Corporate Compliance including documentation on practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Completes 95% of all paperwork by the due date.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Maintains effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors and the general public. Uses language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.
• Effectively responds to the client/consumer needs and problems, initiates and maintains positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, emails and other requests.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills to develop therapeutic alliance with consumers and to work effectively and with cultural competence with consumers from diverse backgrounds.
• Participates in staff development activities to enhance professional growth.
• Addresses the whole health needs of the consumer by ensuring that appropriate releases are in place for physical health care providers, making appropriate referrals as needed when significant physical health needs are a consideration.
• Assesses and treats individuals with various disorders within the scope of one’s expertise.
• Utilizes a range of appropriate clinical and recovery focused interventions according to clinical need.
• Understand how trauma impacts the lives of the people being served, so that every interaction is consistent with the recovery process and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
• Participate in the Center’s training/educational programs designed to enhance knowledge about Trauma Informed Care, the impact of trauma and trauma recovery.
• Endorse the Center’s belief that drug testing can be an effective therapeutic tool as it can serve as a deterrent to substance use, a safety measure for prescribing psychotropic medications and provide support to the client to increase the likelihood of successful abstinence.
• Participates in and promotes a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Participates in staff development activities that enhance professional growth.
• This is an awake position for the entire shift.
• Employee must stay up to date on all internal trainings and licensing requirements at all times.
• Other duties as assigned which should include temporarily stepping into another role based on qualifications and credentialing requirements in order to provide adequate coverage on the unit or other units. No staff will be asked to step into a position they are not qualified for.
• Staff working with youth must be in good medical, mental, physical, and emotional health. They must also be free from communicable diseases and current on all immunizations routinely recommended for adults. The role may involve lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds. In rare and extreme situations, staff at the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) may be required to assist in safely holding a youth for up to 60 seconds.

Note: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Education, Knowledge, Skills, & Experience:

• Completed degree from accredited school of nursing required.
• Active RN/LPN license in Colorado (DORA registration).
• Strong assessment skills in various fields preferred but not required.
• Critical thinking skills, problem solving and excellent documentation skills required.
• Must have two or more years of experience in related field.
• Knowledge of ASAM.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred.
• Skills or experience in integrated health approaches preferred.
• CPR/First Aid Certification preferred or obtain within two months of hire.
• Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Valid Driver's License with a driving record that meets agency requirements.

Salary Grade 12 (LPN): $62,920 to $67,496*

Salary Grade 15 (RN): $74,030 to $94,270*

HIRING BONUS: $2,500 one-month anniversary, $2,500 6-month anniversary, $2,500 1-year anniversary ($7,500 total)

Additional Salary & Bonus Information*:

• The salary range above includes a 10% differential for working with youth in a 24/7 residential setting.
• The salary range above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*
• Based on full time (40 hours/week). Prorate if less than 40 hours/week*
• Must work a minimum of 20 hours/week to be eligible for bonus*
• Current Jefferson Center employees not eligible for sign on bonus*
• Bonuses are not earned unless and until continuous employment reaches the bonus effective date*

Application Deadline : This position will remain posted until filled. We encourage applicants to apply by 7/24/2026 for priority consideration.