Registered Nurse - Per Diem

Emend Healthcare, Inc.; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 55,104 - 82,656; Part time

Job summary

Emend Healthcare, Inc. in Connecticut seeks an RN for per diem shifts to support behavioral health and substance use treatment. You will perform nursing assessments, monitor medications, and guide non‑medical staff on medical aspects of care.

Primary liaison with Providers and attention to safety, documentation, and compliance are essential. The role requires CT RN licensure, CPR/First Aid, Naloxone and TB clearance, with at least 1 year in behavioral health or detox settings.

Qualifications

• Complete comprehensive nursing assessments and review data for accuracy.
• Identify changes in medical or psychiatric status and escalate as needed.
• Administer medications per physician orders and the 5 rights.
• Document in EMR promptly and accurately for care continuity.
• Maintain compliance with CT DPH regulations and HIPAA standards.
• Collaborate with therapists and leadership for coordinated care.
• Provide patient education on medications and treatment plans.
• Demonstrate clinical judgment and timely escalation when required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee nursing assessments and validate data from LPNs.
• Monitor and adjust medications; communicate updates to providers.
• Lead responses to withdrawal and psychiatric events.
• Ensure safe management of SUD and co‑occurring conditions.
• Maintain accurate EMR documentation and program fidelity.

Skills

Nursing assessments

Medication monitoring

Clinical oversight

Withdrawal management

EMR documentation (Sunwave)

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Patient education

Safety and de-escalation

Regulatory compliance (CT DPH, HIPAA)

Education

Current CT RN license

CPR & First Aid certification

Naloxone certification

TB clearance

1+ year behavioral health or SUD experience

Tools

Sunwave EMR

Job description

Description

Emend Healthcare provides comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment at multiple locations across the country. Each center is designed to deliver a full continuum of care, from medically supervised detox to residential and outpatient programs, ensuring clients can access the support they need wherever they are. With a focus on personalized treatment and compassionate care, Emend’s facilities offer safe, welcoming environments where individuals can begin their journey to lasting recovery.

At Emend Health Company Connecticut, LLC, ("Emend CT"), we are dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey to lasting wellness. Our team combines expertise, compassion, and personalized care to help clients navigate mental health challenges and substance use recovery. We focus on creating a safe, nurturing environment where every person can build the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to thrive. Through evidence‑based treatment, innovative programs, and a commitment to holistic well‑being, we empower clients to achieve meaningful, lasting change.

As a Registered Nurse ("RN") at Emend CT you will be responsible for the nursing assessment, medication monitoring and guidance of non‑medical team members as to the medical component of client treatment episodes. The RN is responsible for both the administrative and medical portion of the client intake process and is the primary in oversight of properly receiving and centrally storing medications and preparing client medications for discharge. The RN is the direct line of communication to Providers. The RN also has primary responsibility of communicating to non‑medical team members regarding changes to medical orders and instructions. While the Nurse at Emend CT has unique medical responsibilities, the RN is also responsible for learning and being able to achieve all job duties of the Behavioral Technician, without exception.

The per diem requirement is 2 shifts a month, 1 summer holiday and 1 winter holiday.

Requirements

• Complete comprehensive nursing assessments and oversee LPN contributed data collection by reviewing and validating assessments to ensure clinical accuracy and support patient stability within ASAM level 3.7 and 3.5 levels of care.
• Identify, assess, and clinically interpret changes in medical or psychiatric status, initiating appropriate interventions and escalation when indicated.
• Provide clinical oversight of patient care, ensuring safe management of substance use disorders and co‑occurring conditions.
• Lead response to acute presentations, including withdrawal symptoms, psychiatric instability, and medical concerns.
• Administer medications in accordance with physician orders, ensuring adherence to the “5 rights” of medication administration.
• Evaluate medication effectiveness, side effects, and patient response; communicate clinical recommendations to the Medical Provider.
• Provide patient education regarding medications, supporting compliance, safety, and engagement in treatment.
• Complete timely, accurate, and clinically sound documentation in EMR (Sunwave), reflecting assessments, interventions, and patient outcomes.
• Ensure documentation supports medical necessity, program fidelity, and payer requirements, reducing risk of denials and inappropriate discharges.
• Maintain compliance with Connecticut DPH regulations, The Joint Commission standards, and Emend‑CT policies.
• Actively engage patients within the therapeutic milieu, reinforcing recovery principles, coping strategies, and treatment goals.
• Support and guide staff in implementing clinical interventions prior to discharge, with emphasis on reducing AMA/ATA discharges.
• Promote a safe, structured, and trauma‑informed environment that supports patient retention and positive outcomes.
• Collaborate with therapists, behavioral health staff, admissions, and leadership to ensure coordinated, patient‑centered care.
• Participate in and contribute to shift report, clinical rounds, and multidisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Provide clinical guidance and support to LPNs and behavioral health staff, ensuring appropriate care delivery and escalation practices.
• Coordinate with Utilization Management to support level‑of‑care determinations and discharge planning.
• Recognize and respond to behavioral escalation, cravings, and psychiatric distress using evidence‑based nursing and de‑escalation interventions.
• Initiate and oversee real‑time escalation processes, ensuring timely clinical decision‑making.
• Develop and implement safety plans, including appropriate observation levels and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure adherence to Emend‑CT clinical programming, structure, and daily schedule.
• Reinforce expectations for patient participation, accountability, and engagement in treatment.
• Participate in Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives, audits, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Nursing Leadership and Emend‑CT Administration.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Connecticut (in good standing).
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Current Naloxone Certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Current TB clearance in accordance with state regulations.
• Minimum one (1) year of nursing experience required (behavioral health or SUD setting strongly preferred).
• Experience in residential treatment and/or detox (ASAM 3.7/3.5) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with co‑occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Experience with medication administration, withdrawal monitoring, and clinical decision-making.
• Experience with electronic medical records (EMR), preferably Sunwave.
• Strong understanding of substance use disorders, withdrawal management, and recovery principles.
• Ability to perform clinical assessments, triage, and escalation decisions independently.
• Working knowledge of HIPAA, patient rights, and confidentiality standards.
• Demonstrates strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to program fidelity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills in a 24‑hour care environment.
• Ability to work independently while leading and supporting a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem‑solving, and leadership ability.
• Adaptable and flexible in a dynamic clinical environment.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and patience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and EMR systems.
• Strong, accurate, and timely clinical documentation skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout the facility to observe and support patients and staff.
• Adequate vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and coordination to safely perform nursing duties.