Charge Nurse (RN)- Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services Ithaca Outpatient- Full Time- Days

Charge Nurse (RN)- Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services Ithaca Outpatient- Full Time- Days

Position Summary:

The Charge Nurse is a key clinical leader in the outpatient substance use treatment program, responsible for coordinating day-to-day patient flow, supervising nursing and support staff during clinical operations, and ensuring the safe and effective delivery of care-including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). The Charge Nurse serves as the on-site resource for clinical problem-solving, staff support, and patient advocacy, helping to maintain a recovery-oriented, trauma-informed environment for individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinic Flow and Operations

• Oversee daily clinic operations to ensure efficient patient flow through triage, provider visits, counseling, MAT dosing, and discharge processes.
• Act as the point person for immediate problem-solving related to staffing, scheduling, room utilization, patient concerns, and operational barriers.
• Coordinate staffing assignments based on patient acuity, clinic volume, and available resources.
• Communicate with providers, behavioral health staff, and administrative support to facilitate coordinated, team-based care delivery.

Clinical Leadership and Staff Support

• Provide direct supervision and support to RNs, and LPNs, during clinic hours.
• Serve as a clinical resource, assisting staff with complex patient situations, urgent issues, or questions about protocols.
• Ensure staff adherence to nursing scope of practice, infection control policies, and patient safety standards.
• Lead daily team huddles and debriefings as needed to review patient concerns, safety incidents, or workflow adjustments.
• Participate in the onboarding of all new clinical staff ensuring all new staff have validated competencies.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Coordination

• Support the delivery of MAT services (e.g., buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone) by verifying medication orders, monitoring administration, and ensuring proper documentation.
• Monitor for safe medication storage, handling, and diversion prevention according to DEA and OASAS regulations.
• Assist with managing patient emergencies, such as overdose response, withdrawal symptoms, or medical crises related to MAT.

Patient Advocacy and Communication

• Address patient concerns or complaints in real time with empathy, professionalism, and a trauma-informed approach.
• Advocate for patient needs with the interdisciplinary team to promote engagement and retention in treatment.
• Promote harm reduction, recovery support principles, and cultural sensitivity in all patient interactions.

Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) for all clinical services provided during the shift.
• Monitor clinic compliance with regulatory standards (OASAS, SAMHSA, DEA) and escalate concerns to the Nurse Manager.
• Assist with preparing for regulatory audits by maintaining high standards of clinical and medication documentation.

Quality and Safety

• Support quality improvement initiatives by identifying barriers to care, patient safety issues, or opportunities for workflow enhancement.
• Report incidents, near misses, or patient grievances promptly and assist with immediate mitigation and documentation.
• Ensure safe clinical practices related to infection control, sharps management, medication administration, and patient monitoring.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing with the State of New York
• Minimum of 2 years clinical nursing experience, preferably in behavioral health, substance use treatment, or ambulatory care settings
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Preferred:

• Prior experience as a charge nurse, team lead, or preceptor
• Experience with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) protocols
• Familiarity with electronic health record systems (Epic preferred)
• Certification in Addiction Nursing (CARN) or Mental Health Nursing a plus

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong clinical judgment and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate teamwork and positive patient interactions
• Conflict resolution skills and ability to de-escalate challenging situations
• Knowledge of OASAS, DEA, and SAMHSA regulations pertaining to outpatient substance use treatment services
• Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally competent, and recovery-oriented care

Location and Travel Requirements:

• Onsite- 334 West State Street, Ithaca NY 14850
• Shift: 7:00-15:30 M-F and Saturday 7:30-13:00
• Less than 25% Travel can be expected in this role

Pay Range Disclosure:

• $37.63 to $47.18 per hour

Cayuga Health System and its affiliates are committed to treating all patients, providers, staff, and volunteers equitably and with dignity, ensuring the highest levels of safety, care, and respect. We strive to overcome barriers and biases to achieve equitable access and outcomes for all. Cayuga Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

I certify that the information contained in this application is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification or omission of information may disqualify me from further consideration for employment or, if hired, may result in termination. In consideration for my employment, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the company, which rules may be changed, withdrawn, added, or interpreted at any time, at the company's sole option and without prior notice to me.

I understand that any hiring decision is contingent upon my successful completion of all of the Company's lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks, which may include a background check, drug screen, employment references, and licensing review. If I am made a conditional offer of employment, I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for the Company to conduct its lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks. Such checks will not be conducted until allowed under applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand if I have a criminal background, it will not automatically disqualify me from employment unless otherwise required by law. I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for the Company to conduct its lawful pre-employment checks.

I also understand that the Company is a drug and alcohol-free workplace and has a drug and alcohol testing program consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand that after a conditional offer of employment, I must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment.