Registered Nurse, Faster Paths, Per Diem

Position Summary

The Faster Paths nurse provides skilled nursing services to patients with substance use disorders, including many experiencing homelessness and co‑occurring mental health conditions. The role involves ongoing assessment, intakes, evaluations, triage, teaching, medication inductions, stabilizations, and monitoring of patients with opioid use disorder, as well as referrals to long‑term care.

• Creates a respectful, dignified, non‑judgmental care environment for people with substance use disorders.
• Uses medically accurate, non‑stigmatizing, person‑first language in all communication.
• Provides skilled nursing services to patients with opioid and other substance use disorders and their support systems.
• Conducts ongoing assessment, intakes, evaluations, triage, teaching, inductions, stabilizations, and monitoring of patients in the bridge clinic.
• Provides primary nursing care of patients within the bridge clinic and supports patients referred from other settings for stabilization and assessment.
• Collaborates with team members, clinic settings at BMC, outside referral sites, and providers from addiction settings to assist patients and support referral needs.
• Review intake assessments with the clinical team, establish appropriate plans of care, and revise plans as needed.
• Conducts assessments of social, medical, mental health, substance use and medication history.
• Reviews consents and treatment contracts with patients, obtaining signatures and giving copies.
• Manages medications for opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders, including education and assessment of patients seeking treatment programs.
• Links patients to community addiction services and assists with accessing opioid treatment programs by referral for direct admission.
• Assess signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal using the COW scale and of alcohol/benzodiazepine withdrawal using the CIWA scale.
• Provides counseling on evidence‑based HIV prevention services, including PrEP and PEP.
• Gives ongoing education and support during all phases of treatment, including scheduled nursing visits, urine toxicology screens, routine labs, medication teaching, monitoring, and refills.
• Follows state and federal guidelines in collaboration with licensed prescribing physicians, providers, and pharmacy.
• Completes appropriate documentation and maintains excellent record‑keeping.
• Collects pertinent data, prioritizes it, and involves patients, significant others, and healthcare providers as appropriate.
• Provides follow‑up care in person and via telephone, sharing lab results in collaboration with providers.
• Works with pharmacy and the Faster Paths team to obtain medication orders, prescriptions, refills, and necessary communication.
• Assesses emergent situations and provides required patient care assistance during crises.
• Manages milieu and calms or reassures anxious, distressed, or agitated patients.
• Provides wound care, dressing changes, and assists with abscess incision and drainage.
• Assesses patient safety and seeks assistance as needed.
• Supports patients experiencing withdrawal by utilizing clinic space and resources.
• Performs other duties as specified by providers and nursing leadership.
• Adheres to BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.

• RN licensure in Massachusetts (must maintain annually).
• BLS certification.
• 1–3 years clinical experience, preferably with patients with substance use disorders and health‑behavior change counseling.
• Background in primary care or mental health settings preferred.
• Knowledge of opioid treatment protocols and withdrawal management.
• Computer skills with Word, Excel, and Access.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and patient education skills.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and timely.
• Ability to work productively across academic clinical departments.
• BSN preferred; ability to obtain BSN within 4 years if holding a diploma or ASN.

Compensation range: $34.38 – $50.00 per hour. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, pharmacy benefits; discretionary annual bonuses; merit increases;
Flexible Spending Accounts; 403(b) savings matches; paid time off; career advancement opportunities; and support resources for employee and family well‑being.

Boston Medical Center is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. We ensure equal employment opportunities for all, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. We are required to provide medical and flu vaccinations for all staff.