Nurse Manager - SUD & Mental Health

Gaudenzia, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 115,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Excellent Benefits

On The Job Training

Upward mobility

Educational assistance to grow with us

Job summary

Gaudenzia, Inc. in Washington, DC is seeking a Nurse Manager who leads with clinical excellence and compassion. You will oversee nursing staff, ensure quality of care, and manage scheduling, budgets, and compliance to regulatory standards.

The role requires a current DC RN license, 3+ years in nursing leadership, and experience with substance use or mental health care. You will drive team development, implement MAT, and collaborate across disciplines to improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years nursing leadership/management experience.
• SUD/psychiatric experience preferred with 1 year of experience treating individuals with substance use, mental health, or related disorders.
• DC RN license in good standing.
• Degree from an ACcredited college/university's professional nursing program.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with medication handling and regulations, and address deficiencies to improve care quality.
• Develop, maintains, and ensures education for clients on addiction concepts, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, medications, infectious diseases, mental health, etc.
• Promote and assist in medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
• Oversee medical documentation/EHR usage.
• Provide leadership to nursing staff and conduct performance evaluations.
• Recruitment, scheduling (coverage), training, and maintaining quality staff.
• Monitor patient care activities and coordinate care plans for optimal outcomes.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and analyze KPIs related to outcomes and satisfaction.

Skills

Staff scheduling

Team building

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Conflict resolution

Change management

Operational management

Clinical leadership

Education

RN license (DC)

Nursing degree

Tools

EHR software

Job description

Lead with heart. Shape the standard. Change the trajectory.

We’re looking for a Nurse Manager who sees beyond symptoms and embraces the full humanity of the people we serve. Someone who leads with clinical excellence, operational clarity, and a deep belief in recovery. If you’re energized by fast‑paced environments, passionate about stabilizing individuals in crisis, and ready to build a nursing culture rooted in dignity and accountability, this role is your next step.

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.

Salary:

$115-120k based upon credentials & experience

Leadership & Management Requirements:

Minimum 3-Years Nursing Leadership/Management Experience Required!

• Staff scheduling, supervision, and budget planning (staff roster is currently between 15-18 RNs however could vary).
• Team Building, Collaboration, & Development
• Strong Communication, Emotional Intelligence
• Conflict Resolution & Critical Thinking
• Adaptability and Change Management
• Operational Management.
• Clinical Leadership

Education/ Training

• Degree from an accredited college or university's professional nursing program
• Current RN (DC) license in good standing

Experience

• Minimum 3-Years Nursing Leadership/Management
• SUD/Psychiatric Experience (preferred) with 1 year of experience treating individuals with substance use, mental health, or other related disorders.

Scheduling

• Required to work one weekend and one-off shift per month to ensure contact with all medical staff.
• Will be required to work during staffing shortages and holidays as necessary.
• This position is deemed essential and will be required to work during inclement weather

Your Responsibilities In This Role May Include

• Ensure compliance with medication handling and administration policies, and local and state regulations, and implement strategies to address deficiencies and enhance the overall quality of care.
• Develops, maintains, and ensures the quality of counseling and education of clients on Disease Concepts of Addiction, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, medication education, infectious diseases, mental health, etc.
• Promotes, educates, and assists in the facilitation of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
• Oversees medical documentation/electronic health record (EHR) uses.
• Provide effective leadership to nursing staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of nursing personnel, providing feedback and implementing training programs as needed.
• Responsible for recruitment, staff scheduling (and coverage), training, and maintaining quality staff.
• Monitor patient care activities to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers to develop and implement patient care plans, ensuring optimal outcomes.
• Oversee the procurement and maintenance of necessary equipment, supplies, and medications.
• Participate in budget planning and financial management activities for the nursing department. Including oversight and assistance with managed care and or other payor sources.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives within the nursing department, identifying areas for improvement and implementing best practices.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators related to patient care outcomes, patient satisfaction, and staff productivity.
• Serve as a liaison between nursing staff, administration, and other healthcare disciplines, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate patient care and address patient-related concerns.
• Communicate with patients and their families to ensure understanding of treatment plans and address any questions or concerns.
• Ensure that nursing staff are following required documentation guidelines within the timeframe dictated by the level of care, licensing, and regulatory entities.
• Serve as a liaison between our healthcare team and external stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration to uphold exceptional patient care standards and good relationships to facilitate mutual referrals.
• Other related duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing or designee.

Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the specific health care issues and co-morbidities experienced by individuals with substance use disorder and mental illness.
• Knowledge of special populations, including individuals with criminal justice involvement, homeless, HIV/AIDS, etc.
• Knowledge of basic principles, practices, and procedures involved in treatment programs.
• Knowledge of correct record keeping in accordance with regulatory agencies and standards of practice.
• Knowledge of safe standards of nursing practice.
• Ability to exercise administrative and professional supervision of employees.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with clients to gain confidence and cooperation.
• Ability to successfully work with others from various cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to plan and organize work and prepare appropriate, accurate records and reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, health care providers, outside agencies, institutions, and the general public.
• Skilled at using computers, including familiarity and faculty with Microsoft Office programs like Word and Excel.

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! For more details, please visit our website: https://www.gaudenzia.org/careers/

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.