Director of Nursing - Behavioral Health

Job Description

Job Description

'..Director of Nursing is responsible for supervising the nursing functions and for promoting a safe and therapeutic environment for clients who are detoxifying from substance dependency. The Director of Nursing shall be responsible for the direction, provision, and quality of nursing services provided to clients, including the following:

• Providing administrative oversight of the facility's nursing services, and where appropriate, directly supervising the facility's nursing staff; 
• Assisting the Program Director in developing and maintaining written objectives, policies and procedures related to nursing services, developing an organization plan, and developing a quality assurance program for nursing services, and reviewing all nursing policies and procedures, minimally, on an annual basis; 
• In conjunction with the Program Director and the governing authority of the facility, planning and budgeting for nursing services; 
• Ensuring the coordination and integration of nursing services with other client care services to ensure continuity of care for each client; 
• Ensuring that the facility complies with required nursing staffing patterns; 
• Assisting in the development of written job descriptions for the nursing staff and assigning duties of the nursing staff; 
• Participating in staff orientation and staff education activities, when applicable; and 
• Participating in team conferences with the multidisciplinary team. 
• Providing required documentation in the client records. 
• Providing a record of medications administered and a record of medication self-administered by clients. 
• Performing efficiently in emergency patient situations following established protocols, remaining calm, informing appropriate personnel, and documenting events. 
• Special Projects as needed.
• Positively promotes current organization to prospective clients and employees. 

Competencies - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• One-year full-time experience with the management of addictions in a licensed substance use disorders treatment facility.   
• (a) For a facility providing detoxification services, the individual shall have one year of supervisory experience or three years of experience in an opioid treatment facility or detoxification facility.  
• (b) Every facility that is required to provide nursing services shall designate a director of nursing, or designee who meets the criteria of director of nursing (pursuant to (a) above), who shall be on the premises or available on-site, or respond within 30 minutes during the facility's hours of operation.  
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally.  
• Demonstrated customer service skills and ability to interact with staff and clients in a professional manner.  
• Ability to assess needs and deliver nursing services to individuals detoxifying from substance abuse.  
• Ability to screen for psychoactive substance toxicity, intoxication, and withdrawal symptoms.  
• Ability to screen for danger to self or others.  
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to determine nursing recommendations and priorities.  
• Demonstrated adherence to acceptable ethical and behavioral standards of conduct.  
• Participation in continuing Professional Development.  
• Understanding of the benefits and limitations of toxicology testing procedures.  
• Knowledge of strategies for treating alcohol, cocaine, and other drug abuse.  
• Knowledge of medication-assisted therapy.  
• Ability to provide education and information to individuals and groups, through formal and/or informal processes, concerning their substance abuse.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of accepted principles of client record management.  
• Ability to supervise staff nurses and direct the nursing function of a detox facility...'