NURSE MANAGER

Job Details: Job Location: New Life Center - Gary, IN, Salary Range: Undisclosed,

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES                                                                                                                

The Nurse Manager provides clinical leadership, operational oversight, and nursing supervision for Edgewater Health's behavioral health, addiction treatment, outpatient, residential, and community-based programs. This position is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, evidence-based nursing care while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, accreditation, and organizational standards.

The Nurse Manager evaluates the health needs of clients, oversees medication management, develops and implements nursing policies and procedures, monitors infection prevention activities, and ensures quality nursing practices throughout the organization. This position collaborates closely with the Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer, Psychiatrists, Advanced Practice Providers (NP’s), Nursing staff, Clinicians, Counselors, Care Coordinators, Residential staff, and other interdisciplinary team members to promote positive patient outcomes, regulatory compliance, and organizational excellence.

The Nurse Manager also provides leadership in staff development, quality improvement initiatives, medication safety, emergency preparedness, and continuous performance improvement while fostering a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Leadership

Provides leadership, supervision, and clinical oversight for all nursing services across outpatient, residential, addiction treatment, crisis, and community-based programs.
Supervises nursing activities including:

Medication administration
Medication reconciliation
Vital signs assessment
Physical health monitoring
Nursing assessments
Development and implementation of nursing care plans

Documentation of nursing services
Ensures nursing services are delivered in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, licensing standards, accreditation standards, and organizational policies.
Provides consultation regarding medical and nursing issues affecting patient care.
Evaluates patient health needs and coordinates appropriate nursing interventions.
Responds appropriately to medical emergencies and behavioral health crises.

Medication Management

Oversee all medication-related activities throughout the organization.
Administers medications, including intramuscular (IM) injections, as ordered by licensed providers.
Monitors medication effectiveness and adverse reactions.
Communicates significant medication concerns to prescribing providers.
Ensures physician orders are accurately obtained, documented, implemented, and monitored.
Coordinates prescription refills and medication procurement as appropriate.
Orders, inventories, and maintains medications and medical supplies.
Oversees medication storage, security, documentation, and disposal according to regulatory requirements.
Oversees medication administration training for non-licensed personnel in approved programs such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).

Quality and Regulatory Compliance

Develops, implements, reviews, and updates nursing policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
Oversee infection prevention and infection control activities.
Ensures compliance with Indiana Department of Mental Health requirements, DEA regulations, OSHA, CDC guidelines, CARF (if applicable), HIPAA, and other regulatory agencies.
Participate in agency-wide Quality Improvement (QI), Performance Improvement (PI), Risk Management, and Utilization Review activities.
Monitors clinical documentation for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
Assists with surveys, audits, licensing reviews, and accreditation visits.
Ensures standards for admission, utilization review, and concurrent review are followed.

Staff Leadership and Development

Supervises nursing personnel and provides clinical guidance to residential staff regarding medical care and resident safety.
Participate in recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, orientation, coaching, performance evaluations, corrective action, and professional development of nursing staff.
Ensures nursing staff maintain required licensure, certifications, competencies, and continuing education.
Verifies appropriate credentialing and clinical competencies of nursing staff.
Develops and delivers education regarding:

Medication administration
Infection control and prevention
Emergency response
Timely clinical documentation
Medical policies and procedure adherence

Serves as a clinical resource and mentor for staff.

Patient Care Coordination

Collaborates with physicians, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, pharmacists, hospitals, and community providers.
Coordinates continuity of care for patients.
Assist patients and families with medical education when appropriate.
Monitors laboratory testing, diagnostic studies, and follow-up care.
Supports integrated behavioral and primary healthcare initiatives.

Documentation and Administrative Responsibilities

Completes Service Activity Logs (SALs) and other required documentation accurately and timely.
Reviews nursing documentation for quality and compliance.
Monitors attendance, scheduling, and staffing coverage.
Participates in departmental meetings, interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, and organizational committees.
Assists with special projects and organizational initiatives as assigned.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES-KSAs

Clinical Knowledge

Knowledge of psychiatric nursing principles.
Knowledge of substance use disorder treatment.
Knowledge of psychopharmacology.
Knowledge of Primary Care nursing principles.
Knowledge of medication administration and monitoring.
Knowledge of adverse medication reactions and interventions.
Knowledge of infection prevention and control practices.
Knowledge of emergency medical response and crisis intervention.
Knowledge of behavioral health treatment models.
Knowledge of nursing assessments and care planning.

Leadership Skills

Ability to effectively supervise and develop staff.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
Ability to make sound clinical decisions under pressure.
Ability to lead change and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Communication Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication.
Effective interpersonal skills.
Ability to educate patients, families, and staff.
Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Technical Skills

Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR).
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to maintain accurate clinical documentation.
Familiarity with electronic medication administration systems.

Regulatory Knowledge

Working knowledge of:

Indiana nursing regulations
HIPAA
OSHA
CDC infection control guidelines
DEA regulations
Joint Commission and/or CARF standards (if applicable)
Indiana Department of Mental Health requirements

Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.

Experience:

Minimum of three (3) years progressively responsible nursing experience in behavioral health, addiction treatment, psychiatric services, or healthcare.
Experience administering medications, including intramuscular (IM) injections.
Experience with electronic health records.

Licensure/Certification:

Current unrestricted Indiana Registered Nurse (RN) license.
Current CPR/BLS certification.
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Must have your own auto insurance and always maintain coverage.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration, or related healthcare field.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing experience.
Experience in community mental health or Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) settings.
Experience with opioid treatment programs (OTP), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or addiction medicine.
Certification in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing or Nurse Executive certification.
Experience with quality improvement initiatives and regulatory surveys.
Knowledge of integrated behavioral health and primary care models.

 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reports To: This position reports to the Chief Psychiatrist, and/or Medical Director.
Supervises: This position is responsible for overseeing RN’s and LPN’s. Assists with MHT’s

CORE COMPETENCIES

Employees are expected to demonstrate the following organizational competencies:

Patient-Centered Care
Clinical Excellence
Leadership & Accountability
Communication
Collaboration & Teamwork
Integrity & Ethical Practice
Quality Improvement
Regulatory Compliance
Safety & Risk Management
Customer Service
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Staff Development and Coaching

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Nurse Manager is expected to:

Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and ethical nursing practice.
Promote patient safety and high-quality clinical care.
Maintain regulatory compliance and nursing standards.
Foster teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
Model Edgewater Health's mission, vision, and core values.
Complete all required documentation accurately and timely.
Maintain required licensure, certifications, and continuing education.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Environment

Work is performed in outpatient clinics, residential treatment facilities, crisis programs, medication clinics, and other healthcare environments. The position regularly interacts with individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use disorders, and complex medical conditions.

The Nurse Manager may be exposed to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, hazardous materials, and emotionally stressful situations. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control procedures are required.

Occasional local travel between Edgewater Health locations may be required.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position requires:

Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.
Frequent computer use and documentation.
Ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
Manual dexterity is sufficient to administer medications and perform nursing procedures.
Ability to perform physical assessments.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Occasional bending, kneeling, reaching, crouching, and stooping.
Visual acuity sufficient for reading medical records, medication labels, and computer screens.
Hearing sufficient to communicate effectively with patients and staff.
Ability to respond quickly during medical or behavioral emergencies.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Edgewater Health reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties and responsibilities as necessary to meet organizational needs.