Nurse Administrator

Nurse Administrator

Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program is a national leader in behavioral healthcare and one of the fastest growing companies in the field. DBH offers world-class treatment for those struggling with mental health and places a high priority on seeking employees who share our passion for improving the lives we serve.

Since 1997, Discovery Mood and Anxiety Programs, DBH's Mental Health Disorder Division, has helped thousands of patients discover their path to the full and rewarding lives they deserve with evidence-based and inclusive treatment options.

The Nurse Administrator supervises, leads, and coordinates nursing activities and nursing personnel. This position evaluates nursing activities to ensure patient care, staff relations and efficiency of service. The Nurse Administrator coordinates all medical care and works closely with the Medical Director for all aspects of nursing and medical care of patients.

Essential Job Functions:

Patient Care & Clinical Support

• Oversees nursing operations to ensure alignment with the organization's mission, vision, core values, and strategic priorities.
• Conducts face-to-face evaluations for all potential admissions, ensuring medical appropriateness and collaborating with medical/psychiatric providers to obtain admission orders.
• Supports the admission process with safety-focused interventions, including belongings checks and searches as needed.
• Completes comprehensive nursing assessments and oversees the full medical admission process for each patient.
• Develops and initiates Nursing Care Plans to guide individualized, patient-centered care.
• Assesses and responds to medical concerns, performs first aid, and determines need for physician notification.
• Performs vital signs, basic evaluative procedures, tests, and blood draws to support ongoing patient monitoring.
• Responds to emergencies and provides on-call support to ensure patient safety and continuity of care 24/7.
• Maintains a safe, organized, and therapeutic environment in compliance with all state and regulatory standards.

Medication Administration & Management

• Oversees the medication management system, including planning, storage, ordering, transcribing, administration, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Ensures all provider orders are carried out accurately and timely, and that required medications are available within the facility.
• Verifies informed consent for medications is obtained prior to first dose.
• Administers medications, including PRNs, and ensures documentation of effectiveness within required timelines.
• Performs MAR audits to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Reviews medication errors and provides education to staff to promote learning and risk reduction.
• Ensures compliance with narcotic diversion protocols and audits medication rooms for regulatory adherence.

Collaboration & Patient Education

• Collaborates with medical staff and interdisciplinary teams to review patient care, needs, and treatment interventions.
• Communicates effectively with families and loved ones to support engagement and continuity of care.
• Establishes professional, therapeutic rapport with patients to enhance trust and engagement in treatment.
• Manages patient medical needs, including scheduling appointments, coordinating referrals, and securing prior authorizations.
• Works collaboratively with Human Resources to build a strong, engaged, and high-performing nursing team.
• Participates in leadership meetings, performance improvement initiatives, risk reduction strategies, and staff retention efforts.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintains knowledge of all company policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory standards (State, TJC/CARF, Code of Ethics).
• Ensures adherence to DBH compliance standards, including Corporate Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Performs chart audits to ensure documentation accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policy and regulatory requirements.
• Objectively and accurately documents patient progress within required timelines.
• Monitors and maintains HR-related compliance, including employee documentation, incident reports, and internal personnel files.
• Remains current with all applicable federal, state, and organizational regulations and ensures integration into practice.

Professional Practice

• Provides direct supervision, leadership, and management to nursing staff, fostering accountability and professional development.
• Recruits, hires, onboards, and trains nursing staff, ensuring competency validation and ongoing education.
• Coaches, mentors, and provides feedback to nursing staff to support best practices, performance improvement, and clinical excellence.
• Conducts performance evaluations, manages disciplinary processes, and implements improvement plans in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Ensures adequate staffing coverage, including covering shifts as needed and meeting productivity expectations.
• Maintains organized operations and ensures compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Demonstrates professionalism, initiative, and alignment with organizational mission, vision, and values in all interactions.
• Performs additional duties as assigned to support program needs and organizational success.

Residential Treatment Only:

• Provides transportation services including patient transportation/supervision, medical appointments, etc. (must be pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle)

Substance and Mental Health Use Disorder Division:

• Monitoring of CIWA/COW scores for patients on detoxification protocols.
• Knowledge of detoxification medication, withdrawal symptoms, and medical complications that can occur in detox.
• Provide assistance to Utilization Review in communicating pertinent nursing information

Eating Disorder Division:

• Sits with patients for a minimum of one meal or snack per week but as needed to cover the program schedule
• Will work during meal periods to provide supervision and support to patients.
• Must refrain from comments and actions that directly contradict the CFD Clinical Model and Dietary CARE model.
• Full adherence to the Center for Discovery policies and procedures.
• Maintains NG Tube and administration of bolus feeds, where applicable

Knowledge, Education, Experience:

• Must be a graduate of an approved nursing program with a current licensure from an appropriate state licensing board.; In programs that employ RN's, RN licensure is required.
• Preferred: Experience as a staff nurse, preferably in the field of chemical dependency, eating disorders and/or behavioral health.
• Possess and maintain a current Basic Life Support (CPR and First Aid) certification
• Must obtain and maintain CPI certification within 90 days of hire
• Must obtain and maintain CPR, AED, and First Aid, along with ServSafe certification within 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain and possess a current Driver's License and be in good standing
• Knowledge of industry standards: organization, theory, principles, and research processes, accreditation and regulatory standards, ability to assess clinical care requirements based on nursing principles, scope of practice.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of substance use disorders and addiction, eating disorders and behavioral health.
• Familiar with behavior change, recovery models, and treatment methods
• Knowledge of medications, indications, dosage ranges, side effects, and potential toxicity.
• Eating Disorder Division: Obtain Serv Safe certification within 90 days of hire.

Employment Status: Full-time Schedule: Monday-Friday, as needed Work Location: On-site - Stamford, CT Compensation: Pay Range: $87,000-95,000 annually

Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.