Registered Nurse - Substance Use Disorder/Outpatient Behavioral Health

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Opioid Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Nurse at Denver Health adheres to the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of professional nursing and the ANA Code of Ethics to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. This role involves applying critical thinking, evidence-based practices, and nursing expertise to collaborate with the healthcare team in promoting patient safety and achieving quality outcomes. The MAT Nurse plays a crucial role in supporting individuals undergoing treatment for opioid use disorders, managing medication-assisted treatment plans, and ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. This position requires a deep understanding of opioid addiction, pharmacology, and nursing principles, particularly in high-acuity and security-intensive environments such as correctional facilities. The MAT Nurse is expected to navigate the unique challenges of these settings with environmental awareness, critical decision-making skills, and a commitment to Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and Caritas. By integrating compassionate care with a focus on evidence-based practices, the MAT Nurse contributes significantly to the recovery and overall health of patients.

Essential Functions:

• Implement evidence-based plan with patient in coordination with healthcare team. Develop, modify patient care and treatment plans as indicated by patient’s responses and conditions. Provide safe, appropriate nursing care and patient education in an ambulatory clinic setting. Including but not limited to newborn visits, foot care, wound care, obstetric care, diabetes education, preoperative teaching. Safely administer medications and treatments as ordered, according to policy. (20%)

• Nursing Assessment – Collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient situation. Assess the needs of individuals, families and/or communities to identify potential health or safety problems. Communicates findings to patient and appropriate healthcare team members. Data maybe collected as the result of a face to face, video, or telephone encounter. (15%)

• Partners with patient and interprofessional healthcare team to review assessment and plan measurable goals and outcomes and strategies for achievement. Consult and coordinate with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care. Advocates for patients and family in accordance with ANA code ethics and professional practice standards. (15%)

• Support interdisciplinary healthcare team through supervision, education, and training of other clinic team members including medical assistants, educators and care navigators. The ACS RN is key participant in the health care team providing problem solving, escalation of patient care issues, outreach to patients and families, and coordination of services and care activities within the clinic setting and the community (15%)

• Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records. (10%)

• Prepare patients for, and assist with examinations and treatments (10%)

• Nursing Diagnosis analyze assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis. (5%)

• Direct and supervise less skilled nursing/health care personnel (5%)

• Promote positive patient experience (5%)

Education:

• Minimum of an Associate's Degree in Nursing required.

Work Experience:

• 1-3 years experience in a direct patient care setting.

Licenses:

• RN-Registered Nurse - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies required.

• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Adherence to Standards of Professional Nursing Practice/ Process / Performance [ANA Standards addendum- signed] and accrediting body standards.

• Ensures all duties, responsibilities and competencies are conducted in a manner that is effective and appropriate to patients/clients to who care/service is being provided.

• Demonstrates knowledge and applicability of the principles of growth and development over the life span, as well as demonstrating the ability to assess data reflecting the patient’s status and interpreting appropriate cultural information of the patient(s) to whom care/ services is being delivered/provided.

• Employee has completed and met their clinical competency standards

• Ability to use medical equipment and instruments to administer patient care.

• Skilled in maintaining effective working relationship with patients, employees, and the public.

• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations

• Ability to interpret adapt and apply guidelines and procedures

• Ability to communicate clearly.

• Microsoft Office Suite required.

• EPIC documentation preferred.