Job Summary 

The Registered Nurse at Kanvwotiyi provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive care to adults participating in a 90-day residential substance use and behavioral health treatment program. The RN is responsible for conducting assessments, developing and implementing individualized care plans, administering medications (including MAT), and coordinating care with internal providers and external agencies. This role supports long-term recovery, promotes patient safety and health maintenance, and contributes to a structured therapeutic environment. Care is provided within the context of on-site medical and behavioral health clinics at the facility. 

Job Description 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Care & Medication Management

• Administers medications and monitors therapeutic effects, including methadone and buprenorphine, per CIHA policies.
• Supports psychiatry and MAT clinics held on-site through screening, vital signs, lab follow-up, and medication education.
• Monitors for withdrawal symptoms, medical changes, or psychiatric escalation and responds appropriately.
• Assists in managing chronic and acute conditions in collaboration with behavioral health and primary care providers.
• Conducts ongoing assessments of physical and psychosocial health status and updates care plans accordingly.

Care Coordination & Documentation

• Develops individualized nursing care plans with input from the resident, therapist, peer support, and medical providers.
• Coordinates internal referrals to behavioral health, nutrition, case management, or specialty services.
• Collaborates with tribal, community, and aftercare resources to ensure continuity of care at discharge.
• Documents assessments, interventions, outcomes, and patient education in the electronic health record according to CIHA policy.

Health Promotion & Recovery Support

• Provides resident education on disease prevention, medication safety, harm reduction (e.g., naloxone use), and wellness topics.
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings and treatment team planning.
• Supports a structured, respectful, and safe residential environment by modeling professional boundaries and therapeutic engagement.

Leadership & Facility Support

• Delegates appropriately and supports team coordination.
• Assists with maintaining medication inventory, supply ordering, and emergency medical readiness.
• May provide support to other CIHA Behavioral Health nursing sites as needed.

Other Duties

• Participates in staff meetings, performance improvement activities, and required training.
• Responds to medical or psychiatric emergencies as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by Leadership.

Maintains professional boundaries, professionalism and ethical behavior with all persons encountered. 

Education/experience 

• Associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program required.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program preferred.
• Two years of nursing experience preferred; experience in behavioral health or residential substance use treatment strongly preferred.
• Current, unrestricted North Carolina RN license required.
• Current BLS certification required; if not current, must be obtained within six months of hire.
• Current CPI certification required; if not current, must be obtained within six months of hire.
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license required.
• Must meet CIHA credentialing and privileging requirements. 

Job knowledge 

• Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, and theories of professional nursing in order to plan and provide nursing care to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and socio-cultural needs of patients of all ages; specifically, infancy (birth-1 year), toddler and early childhood (2 Years), latency (6-9 years), preadolescence (10-12 years), early adolescence (13-15 years), Adolescence (16-20 years), adult (21-64 years), and elderly (65-+ years). 
• Knowledge of the nursing process and its application to clinical practice. 
• Knowledge of the biological aspects of the disease process and illness in order to recognize complications and therapeutic interventions required.
• Knowledge of medications and dosages in order to recognize desired effects, side effects, and complications of their use. 
• Knowledge and ability to analyze the results of various medical procedures and translate into appropriate nursing interventions. 
• Knowledge and ability to independently plan, manage, and organize work in order to meet priorities, accomplish work within established time frames and work in stressful situations. 
• Knowledge of the occupational functions of multi-disciplinary health care team. 
• Knowledge of the culture and medical health profile of the patient population. 
• Knowledge and ability to teach and counsel patient/family on health maintenance and disease prevention. 
• Knowledge of available health care programs and community resources. 
• Knowledge of processes and procedures for establishing, revising, continually monitoring, and evaluating standards for the practice of nursing. 
• Knowledge and skills in operating specialized medical equipment, such as, monitoring devices suction pumps, oxygen equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of problem oriented medical record methods. 
• Knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of nursing. 

Complexity of duties 

The RN must use sound clinical judgment to support patients in recovery while balancing medical, emotional, and behavioral needs. Decisions may affect the safety and progress of the individual and the milieu. This role requires flexibility, professionalism, and the ability to lead and respond within a therapeutic community. Independent problem-solving is necessary, with support available for complex cases.

Supervision received 

The nurse independently plans, schedules, and provides nursing care in coordination with the medical care plan and attempts to solve problems only within established procedures. This is done under the supervision of the nurse manager, and nurse supervisors. The work is evaluated for technical soundness and adherence to professional standards. 

Responsibility for accuracy 

Accurate documentation, medication administration, and communication are critical to resident safety and treatment outcomes. The RN must consistently uphold CIHA policies, state nursing regulations, and confidentiality laws.

Contact with others 

Interacts routinely with residents, nursing and clinical staff, therapists, peer support specialists, and external agencies. Requires empathy, professionalism, and effective communication skills in support of recovery. 

Confidential Data 

Handles highly sensitive health information and must strictly comply with HIPAA, CIHA, 42 CFR Part 2, and Joint Commission standards regarding confidentiality.

Mental/visual/physical environment 

The role requires regular walking, standing, lifting, and responding to behavioral health needs. Must manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and maintain focus in a residential care setting. May lift up to 30 lbs. and must be able to respond swiftly to resident emergencies.

Work environment

This position is based in a residential treatment facility and may involve exposure to communicable diseases or behavioral escalation. Must comply with OSHA standards and CIHA infection control policies. Flexibility in scheduling required, rotating weekends required.

Customer service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.