Registered Nurse (RN) - Detox Center

Registered Nurse (RN) Detoxification Center

Location: Massachusetts Department: Nursing / Substance Use Disorder Treatment Job Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, Contract, or Per Diem Shift: Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends, or Rotating Shifts Reports To: Nurse Manager / Director of Nursing / Clinical Director

Job Summary: The Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care to individuals undergoing medically supervised withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances. The RN is responsible for assessing patients upon admission, monitoring withdrawal symptoms, administering prescribed medications, identifying potential complications, and coordinating care with physicians, behavioral health professionals, and the interdisciplinary treatment team. The RN promotes patient safety, comfort, dignity, and recovery while ensuring compliance with Massachusetts nursing regulations, applicable healthcare standards, and facility policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct nursing assessments and obtain medical histories, medication lists, substance use histories, allergies, and baseline vital signs upon admission.
• Monitor patients for withdrawal symptoms using standardized assessment tools, such as CIWA-Ar or COWS, as appropriate to the patient's condition and facility protocols.
• Administer prescribed medications for withdrawal management, symptom relief, and co-occurring medical conditions in accordance with provider orders and facility policies.
• Monitor vital signs, level of consciousness, hydration status, and overall clinical condition throughout the detoxification process.
• Recognize and promptly respond to complications, including seizures, severe withdrawal symptoms, respiratory depression, dehydration, and altered mental status.
• Notify physicians or advanced practice providers of significant changes in patient condition and escalate care when medically necessary.
• Collaborate with physicians, behavioral health clinicians, counselors, social workers, and case managers to coordinate individualized treatment plans.
• Document nursing assessments, medication administration, withdrawal scores, interventions, and patient responses accurately in the electronic medical record (EMR).

Qualifications:

• Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Massachusetts.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an approved nursing program.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, as required by the employer.
• Previous experience in detoxification, substance use treatment, behavioral health, emergency nursing, or acute care preferred.
• Knowledge of withdrawal management, medication administration, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Work Environment:

This position is based in a medically supervised detoxification center or substance use treatment facility in Massachusetts. The RN may care for patients experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms, complex medical needs, and co-occurring behavioral health conditions. The position may require rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime. Depending on the facility's level of care, the nurse may need to respond to medical emergencies and coordinate transfers to higher levels of care.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation is based on experience, qualifications, facility requirements, and employment status. Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, shift differentials, continuing education, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The employer provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and complies with applicable federal and Massachusetts employment laws.

Application Requirements:

Applicants should submit a rsum, verification of current Massachusetts RN licensure, relevant certifications, and professional references as requested by the hiring organization. Employment may be contingent upon background checks, credential verification, and other required screenings.