Registered Nurse, Admissions

Admissions Registered Nurse (RN)

Approved Salary: $50-$55/hr

Schedule: Full-time, three 12-hour shifts per week, 11:00am to 11:00pm

The 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Admissions Nurse is responsible for managing the admission process for patients entering Acute Treatment Services while supporting the overall clinical operations of the unit. This role serves as the primary admissions nurse during peak admission hours, ensuring timely assessments, safe patient placement, regulatory compliance, and coordination with providers, admissions staff, and behavioral health personnel. This position focuses on creating an efficient admissions process while maintaining high standards of patient safety, clinical documentation, and regulatory compliance.

Essential Functions

• Complete comprehensive nursing admission assessments.
• Review referral information/hospital charts to determine medical appropriateness for ATS admission.
• Collaborate with Admissions, providers, and Clinical staff regarding acceptance decisions.
• Obtain and document complete medical histories.
• Reconcile home medications.
• Verify allergies and current medication regimens.
• Complete CIWA, COWS, and other withdrawal assessments as indicated.
• Obtain and document vital signs.
• Perform medication counts upon admission when appropriate.
• Complete all required nursing documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Obtain required nursing consents and treatment acknowledgements.
• Complete medication education with patients.
• Verify pharmacy information and coordinate medication retrieval as needed.
• Coordinate admissions from hospitals, emergency departments, shelters, Project ASSERT, and community providers.
• Identify patients requiring an alternative level of care and coordinate transfers when indicated.
• Administer medications according to provider orders.
• Monitor patients for withdrawal symptoms and medical complications.
• Perform ongoing nursing assessments throughout the shift.
• Notify providers of changes in patient condition.
• Respond to medical emergencies.
• Perform blood glucose monitoring, breathalyzer, urine drug screens and other nursing procedures as ordered.
• Complete wound assessments and basic nursing treatments.
• Maintain infection prevention standards.
• Ensure accurate medication documentation and controlled substance accountability.

Competencies

• Strong assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple admissions while maintaining patient safety.
• Confidence communicating assessment findings to providers using clear clinical reasoning.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with admissions, providers, behavioral health staff, and emergency medical services to ensure safe patient placement.

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of addiction medicine, detoxification protocols, and common medical complications associated with substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of BSAS regulations.
• Proficiency in withdrawal assessment tools, including CIWA-Ar and COWS.
• Strong knowledge of emergency medical conditions requiring transfer to a higher level of care.
• Excellent documentation skills that accurately reflect nursing assessments and clinical decision-making.
• Experience using electronic health records.
• Experience in crisis intervention and de-escalation.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to respond quickly during medical emergencies.
• Ability to safely perform patient care activities.

Required Qualifications

• Current Massachusetts RN license in good standing.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Experience in detoxification, behavioral health, emergency nursing, addiction medicine, or medical-surgical nursing preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous detoxification or substance use disorder treatment experience.
• Experience with CIWA and COWS protocols.
• Experience assessing co-occurring psychiatric conditions and determining immediate safety concerns.
• Ability to recognize patients who are not medically appropriate for ATS admission.

EEO StatementThe Dimock Center values diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.