What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Nurse position at Spectrum Human Services?
Lead Nurse (RN) - Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services
About the Role
Are you an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) looking for a challenging and rewarding leadership opportunity? Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services is seeking a dedicated and qualified Lead Nurse to oversee and supervise nursing staff while ensuring the highest standards of healthcare for youth in our secure juvenile residential facilities.
The Lead Nurse is a vital role, working closely with the Medical Director to uphold established health care standards consistent with State of Michigan licensing and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations. You will be responsible for overseeing LPNs and RNs to ensure the onsite clinic is properly staffed to treat residents and facilitate placement at both centers.
This is a chance to use your comprehensive nursing knowledge in a secure setting, helping to provide continuity of care and support for a vulnerable population.
What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
As the Lead Nurse, you will use your clinical expertise and leadership skills to manage and deliver health services:
- Intake & Assessment: Complete intake screening and health appraisals for all newly placed youth. This includes recording vital details like height, weight, surgical/psychiatric history, immunizations, medications, allergies, and psychological status (including the need for immediate psychiatric evaluation due to suicidal or homicidal tendencies) .
- Supervision & Oversight: Provide oversight and supervision to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Registered Nurses (RN).
- Care Planning: Develop and implement a health care plan based on the youth’s medical and nursing needs, often assisting the Medical Director in this process.
- Medication Management: Maintain accurate inventories and prescription logs and ensure the accurate dispensing of medication as written by the Medical Director or Psychiatrist.
- Staff Training: Provide In-service training to staff and supervisors on topics like communicable diseases, general first aid, performance of treatments (e.g., taking vitals, dressing changes), and the care of neurological and metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hemophilia, seizure disorders).
- Documentation & Coordination: Coordinate and establish individual medical nursing records, complete documentation in patient records via paper and computer software, and research/complete health care summaries for distribution to physicians, staff, and other professionals.
- Availability: Be available by phone and/or e-mail after hours or on weekends to take calls from the Medical Director, Psychiatrist, or Supervisory Personnel (excluding scheduled vacations).
Minimum Requirements
- Education: RN, BSN, or MSN from an accredited college or university.
- Experience: 5-10 years of experience in the nursing field.
- Setting Experience: Previous experience in clinical settings serving the mental health, child welfare population, or a maximum security facility; or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Licensure: Comprehensive knowledge of nursing practices and an ability to maintain patient confidence by keeping information confidential in accordance with prevailing HIPPA standards.
General Requirements
- Must possess a valid and unrestricted State of Michigan Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record.
- Must pass a physical examination (indicating satisfactory health status to perform essential functions) and a pre-employment drug screening.
- Must be free from communicable diseases including TB.
- Must complete an MDHHS Central Registry Clearance with no findings and a criminal history background check free of felony convictions (meeting the State of Michigan Good Moral Character Standards).
Required Technical Skills
The ideal candidate must be comfortable and familiar with using computers and various software, including:
- Microsoft Office Suite (including Microsoft Teams)
- Google Calendar
- Scheduling software
- Medical software such as e-charting, eClinicalWorks EHR, and MEDITECH
What We Offer
- Blue Care Network, Medical
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision
- 403(b) with employer match
- $25,000 Life Insurance
- Paid time off
- Short-term disability
- Employee discount program
Why Join Spectrum?
At Spectrum, we believe in hope, healing, and opportunity. We’re a culturally diverse, mission-driven organization that values innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. You’ll receive:
- Ongoing training and development
- A supportive, collaborative work environment
- The chance to change lives every single day
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you’re ready to be a champion for youth and a catalyst for change, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us build brighter futures—one young person at a time.
Salary : $32 - $45