Charge Nurse -RN - Evening - Lower Bucks

Charge Nurse

We need hope-bringers and changemakers - because the work we all do matters. Join a team that shows up for each other as much as we show up for our clients. At Gaudenzia, your purpose fuels progress - for yourself and others.

If you are a dedicated and caring nurse looking to step away from the bedside into a rewarding role, please read further! We need strong nurses who are experienced and interested in working directly with clients who are being treated for substance use disorders and mental health stabilization. We constantly strive to build an amazing team tasked with caring for our clients. While performing your day-to-day nursing duties, you will perform very little to no bedside care! This is not medical surgical nursing, ICU, or a critical care position, however, our clients do come to us at a critical time of need, and we need excellent nurses who are willing to critically think, follow policy and procedures, and work as part of a team. If this is a career move that might interest you, feel free to apply and start your journey.

Gaudenzia's Mission: Gaudenzia's Mission is to promote long-term recovery by providing comprehensive treatment and support to people with substance use disorder, co-occurring mental health disorders, and related conditions, regardless of individual circumstances.

The Charge Nurse is responsible for overseeing daily nursing operations within a behavioral health unit. This role ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care, supervises nursing staff, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support patient treatment and recovery.

• Required to work every other weekend as determined necessary by the Nurse Manager and scheduling needs
• Minimum holiday requirement is 1 major summer holiday (Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day) and 1 major winter Holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day (night shift: New Year's Eve) This position is deemed essential and will be required to work during inclement weather

Qualifications:

Essential Qualifications:

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
• Minimum 23 years of behavioral health or psychiatric nursing experience
• Prior leadership or charge nurse experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

• Crisis Prevention/Intervention (CPI) certification preferred
• Prior experience working within a SUD

Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities:

• Shift Clinical Operations Management: Coordinates and oversees real-time nursing operations during assigned shifts. Ensures timely assessments, interventions, and adherence to clinical protocols while maintaining efficient patient flow and care delivery.
• Immediate Clinical Decision-Making & Patient Care Oversight: Provides on-the-spot clinical leadership, ensuring safe and appropriate care decisions. Monitors patient status, escalates concerns, and ensures timely provider involvement when needed.
• Staffing Coordination & Workflow Management; Assigns staff and manages workload distribution to ensure appropriate coverage and efficient operations. Facilitates smooth shift transitions and maintains continuity of care.
• Regulatory Compliance & Documentation Oversight: Ensures compliance with documentation standards, timelines, and regulatory requirements. Oversees accurate and timely entry into the electronic health record (EHR).
• Medication Management & Safety: Oversees medication administration practices to ensure safety, accuracy, and compliance with regulations. Maintains secure medication storage and proper documentation.
• Staff Support, Training & Mentorship: Provides real-time guidance, education, and mentorship to nursing staff. Supports onboarding of new staff and reinforces clinical standards and best practices.
• Care Coordination & Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborates with providers and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care. Facilitates appointments, referrals, and communication to support treatment planning.
• Resource & Environment Management: Ensures availability of necessary medical supplies and equipment. Maintains a safe and compliant clinical environment, including infection control practices.
• Communication & Escalation: Acts as a liaison between frontline staff and leadership. Communicates operational concerns, patient issues, and staffing needs, escalating appropriately.
• Support of Leadership Functions: Supports Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager in operational, clinical, and quality initiatives. Assumes leadership responsibilities when designated.
• Assumes Nurse Managers duties during designated times, not to exceed more than 3 consecutive weeks unless otherwise agreed upon in writing with Human Resources
• Required to work every other weekend as determined necessary by the Nurse Manager and scheduling needs
• Minimum holiday requirement is 1 major summer holiday (Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day) and 1 major winter Holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day (night shift: New Year's Eve) This position is deemed essential and will be required to work during inclement weather
• For Gaudenzia sites with multiple programs, you may be required to work in any of the programs based on staffing needs
• Other related duties as assigned by Nurse Supervisor/Manager or designee
• Other duties will include but not limited to: daily oversight of administering medications and recording this activity in the appropriate medical chart; arranging and coordinating all medical, dental, and vision exam appointments; ensuring there are adequate medical supplies; and securing necessary medical records on all clients.

Skills:

• Demonstrates strong clinical judgment and prioritization, with the ability to manage multiple patient needs and make timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to coordinate shift-level operations, including staffing assignments, workflow management, and patient flow to ensure safe and efficient care delivery.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and related medical needs, with the ability to apply this knowledge in real-time clinical situations.
• Demonstrates the ability to supervise, support, and guide nursing staff during assigned shifts, reinforcing clinical standards and addressing performance or workflow concerns.
• Ability to recognize and escalate changes in patient condition or operational risk, ensuring timely intervention and appropriate provider involvement.
• Knowledge of medication administration, monitoring, and safety practices, with the ability to oversee adherence to protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrates proficiency in clinical documentation and electronic health record (EHR) systems, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate with interdisciplinary teams and serve as a liaison between staff and leadership.
• Ability to mentor and support staff development, including onboarding and reinforcement of clinical competencies.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and accreditation requirements (e.g., COMAR, CARF, SAMHSA), with the ability to ensure compliance during daily operations.
• Demonstrates accountability for quality, safety, and operational efficiency during assigned shifts.
• Ability to remain adaptable and maintain composure while managing competing priorities, staffing challenges, and emergent situations.

What We Offer: Competitive Pay - Excellent Benefits - On The Job Training - Upward mobility - Educational assistance to help you grow with us in this life saving field!

Gaudenzia is proud to be an employer of choice - and a treatment provider of choice - in the substance use and co-occurring disorders treatment field. We work hard to foster an inclusive, supportive environment where our employees and clients always feel safe and welcome.

Come work with us!

Our Agency is committed to the principles of equal employment. We believe in fostering a positive work environment in which every employee is treated with respect. Our staff hiring and recruitment practices are grounded in fairness, transparency, and merit. All employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, relevant skills, experience, and alignment with our mission and values. We actively recruit from a broad range of educational and professional backgrounds to attract the most qualified candidates, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants without preference or discrimination. Our process uses consistent and clear evaluation criteria to support objective decision-making. By emphasizing accountability, efficiency, and integrity throughout every stage--from job posting to onboarding--we build a workforce defined by excellence, professionalism, and commitment to our shared purpose. Gaudenzia is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.