Registered Nurse - Nights

Claratel Behavioral Health is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization in DeKalb County, Georgia, offering mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services.

Claratel BH operates in more than 20 locations in DeKalb County, employing a diverse workforce of more than 500 direct-care and support staff, and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

The DeKalb Regional Crisis Center provides crisis intervention and stabilization services for adults. The Center offers three levels of care starting with the Crisis Services Center unit that receives walk-ins, transfers from emergency rooms, and involuntary referrals for evaluation.

If further observation is needed, individuals are monitored in the Temporary Observation Unit for 12-24 hours. Individuals needing a longer period of stabilization or substance withdrawal management (usually 5-7 days) are admitted to the Crisis Stabilization Unit where ongoing care includes crisis counseling, medication, and assistance with discharge planning.

The DeKalb Regional Crisis Center (DRCC) provides crisis intervention and stabilization services for adults across three levels of care:

• Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES):
  Rapid intake, triage, and evaluation of walk-ins, law enforcement drop-offs, ER transfers, and involuntary referrals.
• Temporary Observation (Temp Observations): 12–24 hours of monitoring and evaluation for clients needing extended stabilization.
• Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU): 5–7-day admissions for psychiatric stabilization and/or withdrawal management, with crisis counseling, medication, and discharge planning.

The Registered Nurse (RN) at the DRCC provides direct nursing care to individuals experiencing acute psychiatric crises. RNs perform comprehensive assessments, support medical and psychiatric stabilization, manage withdrawal protocols, and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and client-centered care. RNs are central to both emergency psychiatric triage in PES and ongoing stabilization in CSU, serving as frontline responders to crises, skilled clinicians in assessment and medical management, and educators for clients and families.

• Conduct initial psychiatric triage and medical screening exams (in PES) to determine acuity, level of care, and safety risks.
• Complete bio‑psychosocial and nursing assessments; collect vitals, weight, and baseline labs as indicated.
• Continuously reassess clients in PES and CSU to monitor stability, identify emerging risks, and guide treatment planning.
• Screen for withdrawal symptoms and monitor clients on detox/withdrawal protocols (CIWA, COWS).
• Identify and report medical emergencies or changes in condition promptly to providers.

• Administer prescribed medications safely and accurately, documenting in the Medication Administration Record (MAR).
• Monitor for side effects, adverse reactions, and effectiveness of medications, reporting concerns to prescribing providers.
• Provide medication education to clients and families, promoting adherence and safety.
• Manage controlled substances per agency protocols, ensuring accurate counts and documentation.

• Participate in and lead Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) interventions to de‑escalate psychiatric emergencies.
• Utilize trauma‑informed crisis intervention techniques to ensure safety of clients, staff, and peers.
• Assist with seclusion and restraint procedures when necessary, ensuring compliance with policy and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct contraband and safety checks as part of maintaining a ligature‑resistant, therapeutic environment.

• Perform venipuncture and collect lab specimens, ensuring proper labeling and requisitions.
• Provide wound care, basic first aid, and coordination of outside medical care when indicated.
• Monitor clients undergoing detoxification or with co‑occurring medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes).
• Faci…