Registered Nurse (RN) – Detox

Shift Details

This position is for the night shift, with a shift length of 12 hours and guaranteed hours of 34.5 hours per week. Weekend availability is required every other weekend.

Unit Information

The Detox unit is a psychiatric unit with a maximum capacity of 20 beds. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:10, with two nurses and two patient care technicians staffing each shift.

Required Certifications

• BLS (AHA)
• ACLS
• Preferred: PALS (for floating)
• One of the following de-escalation training certifications is required before starting:
• Handle with Care
• TRUST Training
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Institute
• PMCS – Preventing and Managing Crisis Situations
• MOAB

Patient Population and Common Diagnoses

Patients are 18 years and older, primarily coming straight from the streets to this unit. After an average of 4 to 5 days in detox, they will be transferred to the rehabilitation unit. Common medical co-morbidities include hypertension and diabetes, along with psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Experience and Skills Required

Applicants should have at least 1 year of experience in a med-surg environment. While psychiatric experience is preferred, it is not mandatory. Essential skills include:

• Assessing detox symptoms
• Phlebotomy
• Obtaining EKGs

Job Duties

Responsibilities include:

• Safety and room checks
• Monitoring vital signs and weights (weights are taken on Saturdays)
• Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Directly observing patient care and rounding every 15 minutes
• Performing phlebotomy and blood glucose checks
• Conducting EKGs and providing 1:1 patient monitoring as needed
• Supporting nursing staff with other responsibilities as requested

Additional Information

There are no IVs typically administered on this unit, but IVs may be started in a medical emergency. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (RT) services are not available on the unit, and there is no telemetry monitoring; RNs will perform EKGs as needed.

The unit is staffed by two patient care technicians each shift who assist with basic patient care tasks.

Traveling nurses may be placed in charge roles with prior experience and flexibility to float to related units for coverage as needed.

Dress Code

Registered Nurses are required to wear Royal Blue scrubs.