Registered Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

About Windwood

Windwood Family Services provides help, hope, and healing for children and families through trauma-informed behavioral, educational, and therapeutic care. Our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) operates 24/7/365, delivering active, evidence-based treatment centered on safety, permanency, and successful reunification.

About Us

For 40 years, Windwood Family Services has provided help, hope, and healing to children and families in the Lowcountry affected by abuse, neglect, or trauma. On our 110-acre farm in Awendaw, SC, we operate a Qualified Residential Treatment Program and a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility serving boys ages 6–16 — some in the custody of SC DSS following prior abuse or neglect, others facing behavioral challenges while still in their parents' care. Alongside our residential programs, our Family Resource Connection and Preservation Services team works with families across the Charleston tri-county area to keep children safely at home whenever possible.

We believe every child holds strengths worth discovering, and that a structured, nature-based environment — paired with strong academics, clinical care, and genuine relationships — gives kids the chance to build self-esteem, coping skills, and a path toward a healthy, successful future. Our approach is family-driven, child-focused, strength-based, and culturally responsive, and it's carried out by a staff who show up every day committed to doing this work well.

Our Culture

Windwood is committed to:

• Trauma-informed, evidence-based care
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural respect
• Safety, ethical practice, and high-quality performance
• Collaboration, communication, and family-centered treatment

Position Overview

The Nurse is a licensed healthcare professional (RN)) who works closely with the Nursing Manager and nursing team to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed nursing care to the youth served. The role requires working knowledge of childhood mental illness — including trauma related to abuse and neglect — and familiarity with diagnoses common to this population, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorders, oppositional defiant behavior, and school-related challenges.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care & Medication Management

• Deliver a high standard of nursing care to support each resident's physical, mental, and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Administer medications and treatments per physician orders; sign off on MARs and report all medication errors.
• Complete initial and ongoing health assessments, including self-care, hygiene, nutrition, and response to illness or medication.
• Maintain monthly vitals (blood pressure, height, weight) for each resident.
• Provide basic first aid to clients, staff, volunteers, and visitors; maintain First Aid kits and OTC medication supply.
• Follow infection control protocols per CDC/SCDPH guidance and use universal precautions at all times.

Safety, Restraint & Emergency Response

• Support Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) restraints when clinically indicated, in compliance with federal and state regulation.
• Assess residents' physical and psychological status within one hour of any emergency safety intervention; report findings to the Medical Director.
• Serve on-call for restraints and health emergencies (must reside within 30 minutes of the facility); accompany youth to the ER as needed.
• Participate in emergency evacuations, shelter-in-place events, and all Safety Committee meetings.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely resident and departmental records in the EHR and DSS CAIP systems.
• Support COA re-accreditation efforts, including tracking and reporting nursing KPIs.
• Participate in Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) meetings and apply resulting protocol changes.
• Coordinate and document off-site medical, dental, and lab appointments, including transport as needed.

Team & Family Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary team (IDT), PRTF/QRTP, admission, and discharge meetings.
• Communicate medical concerns to direct care staff, referring agencies, and legal guardians.
• Provide medication education and Health & Wellness programming to residents and families.

Qualifications

• Current, active RN license in South Carolina; personal professional liability insurance.
• Experience in inpatient/outpatient mental health or child welfare preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office and EHR systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and act as a project lead when needed.

Physical Requirements

This position requires full participation in CPI interventions, including physical restraint, and cannot be modified to exclude this responsibility. Employees must be able to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and lift up to 25 lbs; must wear closed-toe, supportive footwear on the floor; and may be exposed to loud noise, bodily fluids, and behaviorally challenging situations. Employees must remain in position until formally relieved of duty.

Training & Screening Requirements

• 32 hours of onboarding training; minimum 16 hours annual training thereafter.
• CPI, First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid, ServSafe, Prudent Parenting, and mandated reporter certification.
• Background screening: SLED, Central Registry, DMV, and state/national sex offender checks; fingerprinting, TB screening, and random drug testing.
• Driving eligibility: no more than 2 at-fault accidents in 3 years, or more than 8 current violation points.

Schedule & Work Expectations

• Full-time, 40 hours/week
• Three 13 hour shifts (6am-7pm) with rotating weekends
• Potential on-call hours with advanced notice
• Essential position during emergencies (evacuation or shelter-in-place)
• Not expected to respond to emails or texts after hours unless on-call

Compensation & Benefits

• $40/hr starting
• SC State Health Plan (employee pays a portion; agency covers short-term disability)
• A generous paid leave policy
• SIMPLE IRA eligibility after 1 year, with up to 3% employer match

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person