Registered Nurse chez VOA Alaska

Position Title:        Registered Nurse

Reports To:              Health & Wellness Director

Classification:        Non-Exempt; Full-Time; Hourly Pay based on experience and qualifications

Overview:

The Registered Nurse (RN) at VOA Alaska is responsible for providing holistic, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and patient-centered care to adolescents in treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorders. The RN collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to support the complex physical, emotional, and behavioral health needs of clients primarily at ARCH which is 24/7 structured residential environment located in Eagle River. The RN will occasionally assist at other VOA Alaska locations in the Anchorage area. The RN provides nursing care and monitoring, crisis intervention, health education and care coordination in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

VOA Alaska is a youth-serving organization providing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports to youth and families struggling with mental illness and addiction. We are honored to walk with these families during these times and provide support and hope through recovery. Our core values are connection, responsibility, courage, innovation, hope, and joy. We are eager to hire individuals who espouse these core values and align with our mission of service to the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct age-appropriate nursing assessments upon admission and throughout treatment, as directed by the Health and Wellness Director.
• Collaborate with medical, clinical, and administrative staff to develop and update individualized care plans.
• Collaborate with Behavioral Health Associates (BHAs) and the Residential Staffing Manager (RSM) to support daily program needs, client monitoring and safety, including basic illness and injury management.
• Administer and document scheduled and PRN medications, including psychotropic medications and medications for addiction treatment (MAT) including extended-release buprenorphine injections.
• Educate clients and caregivers/BHAs on medications, health, and wellness topics under the direction of the Health and Wellness Director and psychiatrists.
• Monitor and manage withdrawal symptoms using appropriate protocols (i.e. CIWA, COWS) and standing orders developed and overseen by facility psychiatrists and practitioners.
• Monitor vital signs, manage chronic conditions, assess physical development, and provide basic illness and injury care within the RN scope of practice; consults with the facility practitioner for situations requiring primary care services.
• Respond promptly to medical and psychiatric emergencies, ensuring client safety and supporting suicide prevention and self-harm risk protocols, collaborating with medical, clinical and other team members.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with program policy, state and federal regulations.
• Support discharge planning in collaboration with the case manager, medical and clinical teams.
• Model and support trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with clients based on trust and consistency.
• Provide daily support to the youth and model healthy emotional regulation.
• Offer a consistent adult presence for adolescents with complex trauma or mental health needs.
• Help coordinate outside medical appointments including specialty referrals.
• Collaborate with the Health and Wellness Director on medication administration processes and scheduling for daily med pass windows.

Qualifications:

• Active, unrestricted Alaska Registered Nurse license
• Eligible to bill for services through Alaska Medicaid
• Minimum one year experience as an RN working in a behavioral health or SUD setting, ideally working with adolescents.
• Current CPR/BLS certification or ability to obtain.
• Strong written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and de-escalation skills
• Ability to work with adolescents, their families, and staff in an empathetic, friendly, and respectful manner.
• Familiarity with EHRs and Microsoft computer programs such as Word, Excel and Teams
• Excellent time management skills and task prioritization
• Ability to travel if required (must have own transportation)

Work Environment

This position involves direct patient/client care in a 24/7 residential setting serving youth ages 12-18 and occasional assistance at VOA Alaska outpatient clinics to assist with administration of extended release buprenorphine injections The position may include day, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts. RNs must be able to respond to emergencies in a fast-paced, dynamic, and multidisciplinary environment.

• Works in office areas.  Interacts with staff, consultants, and outside vendors.  May be subjected to interruptions throughout the workday.  
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. The vision requirement includes close vision.

Acknowledgement

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position.  However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you may be required to perform.  The omission of specific descriptions of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or can be considered essential to this position.