Registered Nurse - Acute Care Services

Registered Nurse Acute Care Services Opportunity:

The Registered Nurse Acute Care Services provides comprehensive medical and behavioral health nursing care to individuals experiencing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and co-occurring physical health needs. This role is responsible for assessment, care coordination, medication management, and discharge planning within a short-term stabilization or medically managed treatment setting. The RN collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams, community providers, and support systems to ensure safe, person-centered care that promotes stabilization, recovery, and successful transition to community-based services.

What You’ll Get:

• The starting pay range for this role is $40.02 – 43.58 based on education and experience. In addition, there is shift differential of $1.50 for 2:00pm – 10:00pm and $2.50 for 10:00pm – 6:00am hours worked.
• This is a full-time, in-person position consisting of four 10-hour day shifts, scheduled Monday through Friday.
• PTO, paid holidays, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, on-site bistro and cafeteria, employee assistance program, newly updated facility, and more.
• As a full-time employee of NCHC, you are eligible for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). The WRS is a hybrid defined benefit plan. It contains elements of both a 401(k) or defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan. Participating staff contribute 7.2% and NCHC will match this at 100% each pay period!

What You Bring:

Required:

• Current Wisconsin Registered Nurse license.
• Current BLS certification
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and use of a personal car
• Excellent problem critical thinking and solving skills
• Good clinical judgment skills
• Physical ability to participate in physical restraints of patients when necessary

Preferred:

• Bachelors of Science in Nursing

In evaluating candidates for this position, North Central Health Care may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. 

What a Registered Nurse Acute Care Services does at NCHC:

• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments of clients’ physical health, mental health, and substance use needs; develop and implement individualized care plans.
• Interview clients to obtain medical, psychiatric, and social history to inform treatment and discharge planning.
• Monitor, evaluate, and document client status, response to treatment, and progress toward goals.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members including social workers, behavioral health professionals, providers, and community partners.
• Facilitate safe and effective discharge planning, ensuring continuity of care and connection to community resources.
• Administer medications in accordance with provider orders and organizational policies, including oral and injectable medications.
• Collaborate with pharmacies, primary care providers, and outpatient clinics to verify medication orders and ensure accuracy.
• Prepare and organize medications (e.g., pill planners) to support safe transitions to community care.
• Provide medication and care-related education to clients, families, and staff to support treatment adherence and understanding.
• Lead or facilitate therapeutic group sessions focused on recovery, education, and skill development.
• Coordinate and schedule follow-up medical and behavioral health appointments, including support for complex or high-risk cases.
• Perform clinical tasks such as TB testing and monitoring and support placement-related medical requirements.
• Assess clients for withdrawal symptoms, medical instability, and behavioral health risks, and respond appropriately.
• Identify changes in client condition and communicate findings to the care team to support timely interventions.
• Investigate medication errors, conduct audits, identify trends, and implement process improvements to enhance patient safety.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Provide guidance, direction, and clinical support to Behavioral Health Professionals (BHPs) and other staff.
• Educate and support staff on medication administration practices, client care needs, and safety protocols.
• Participate in crisis response and utilize de-escalation techniques to maintain safety for clients and staff.
• Support a therapeutic and recovery-oriented environment by promoting client engagement, safety, and dignity throughout care delivery.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Working Environment and Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, and movement throughout the facility
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds regularly, occasionally more
• Repetitive hand movements and use of clinical equipment
• Visual and auditory ability sufficient enough to monitor client safety and perform assessments
• Interaction with agitated, hostile, or potentially violent individuals
• Exposure to bodily fluids and communicable diseases
• Primarily indoor clinical environment with occasional community-based responsibilities
• Moderate exposure to workplace hazards (biological, chemical, physical)

Who We Are:

Nestled in the heart of Central Wisconsin, North Central Health Care (NCHC) is a healthcare organization formed over fifty years ago as a partnership between three Central Wisconsin counties - Langlade, Lincoln, and Marathon. NCHC employs more than 600 professionals in diverse roles across a variety of care and work environments. We provide passionate and high-quality care for individuals and families within the fields of mental health treatment, addiction services, long term care, short term care, physical therapy, crisis stabilization and so much more. We have amazing employees who provide exceptional care and want to add to our team. You can visit our website at www.norcen.org/careers to learn more.

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, NCHC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. North Central Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer.