Registered Nurse (Experienced) - Duke University Hospital - Partial Hospitalization Program

Job Description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States and is the number one hospital in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report for 2023-2024. Duke University Hospital is the largest of Duke Health's three hospitals and features 1048 patient beds, 65 operating rooms, as well as comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Duke Nursing Highlights:

• Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
• Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
• Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
• Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)

Registered Nurse (RN) (Experienced) – Duke Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program
Department: Duke Children’s Behavioral Health
Location: 2608 Erwin Road, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27705

Work Schedule:
Full-time, 1.0 FTE
Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
No weekends, no holidays, no on-call

Target Start Date:
Mid-March 2026, in preparation for program opening on April 1, 2026

Program Overview

The Duke Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a newly established outpatient behavioral health program serving children and adolescents with mental health conditions. The program provides structured, intensive treatment equivalent to a school day while allowing patients to return home each evening. Patients attend the program each weekday for approximately 2–4 weeks and participate in individual, group, and family therapies within a multidisciplinary care model.

This is a unique opportunity to join a new pediatric behavioral health program during its launch phase and contribute to the development of workflows, safety practices, and team culture from the ground up. The selected candidate will begin in mid-March 2026 to allow dedicated time for hospital orientation, program training, and preparation prior to the start of patient care.

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) for the Duke Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program plays a key role in supporting the medical, psychiatric, and safety needs of pediatric patients receiving intensive outpatient behavioral health treatment. This role blends direct patient care, medication management, care coordination, and interdisciplinary collaboration in a structured outpatient setting.

The RN works closely with psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, and other team members to ensure safe, coordinated, and family-centered care throughout the treatment day. This position offers meaningful clinical complexity without the demands of inpatient, shift-based nursing.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care and Patient Support
• Conduct patient intake activities including vital signs, medication reconciliation, pharmacy review, and safety/falls assessments
• Monitor patient health status throughout the treatment day and notify providers of changes or concerns
• Maintain safety within the PHP milieu and assist with behavioral or medical emergencies as needed
• Serve as a point person during involuntary commitment (IVC) processes when applicable

Medication Management and Insurance Coordination

• Manage medication refill requests, including chart review for appropriateness, pharmacy verification, and provider coordination
• Complete medication prior authorizations by gathering clinical documentation, collaborating with providers, submitting requests, and supporting appeals when necessary
• Communicate prior authorization outcomes to patients, families, pharmacies, and providers
• Work with insurance carriers, including NC Medicaid, to resolve medication access and coverage issues

Communication, Triage, and Education

• Respond to nursing phone line calls related to medication questions, symptom concerns, safety assessments, and care coordination
• Provide patient and family education related to medications, treatment expectations, and next steps
• Coordinate care with internal and external partners including clinics, schools, DSS, and community providers

Documentation and Clinical Systems

• Manage patient messages, refill requests, and clinical communication in Epic/MyChart
• Complete or assist with patient-specific notes, screening tools, and forms as requested by providers
• Place lab orders as directed and collect specimens via venipuncture or urine, ensuring appropriate handling, documentation, and charge capture
• Perform EKGs when ordered

Program Operations and Team Collaboration

Assist with daily intake and patient flow within the Partial Hospitalization Program
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary treatment team to address medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, and family needs
• Develop familiarity with Duke and community behavioral health resources, including access pathways and insurance considerations
• Participate in program development efforts, including refining workflows and supporting a safe, therapeutic environment

Who This Role Is Ideal For

• RNs with experience in pediatrics, behavioral health, or outpatient care
• Inpatient psychiatric nurses seeking improved work-life balance
• Pediatric nurses interested in behavioral health specialization
• Nurses who enjoy building new programs and contributing to process improvement
• Candidates motivated by mission-driven, community-based care

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Be part of launching a new pediatric Partial Hospitalization Program
• Consistent weekday schedule with no weekends, holidays, or on-call
• Outpatient setting with defined treatment timelines and goals
• Work exclusively with children and adolescents
• Daily collaboration with a multidisciplinary behavioral health team
• Meaningful clinical work without inpatient burnout
• Opportunity to expand access to pediatric mental health services

Required Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse licensure with the North Carolina State Board of Nursing or compact RN license eligible to practice in North Carolina
• Graduation from an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or Nursing Diploma program
• BLS certification required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with children and adolescents with behavioral health diagnoses such as ADHD, ODD, ASD, IDD, MDD, and related conditions
• Experience in partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or outpatient behavioral health settings
• Experience with medication prior authorizations, care coordination, or telephone triage
• PALS certification
• De-escalation training (e.g., CPI); required within one year of hire if not already completed

Educational Requirement Note

Registered nurses without a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (or higher) are required to enroll in an appropriate BSN program within two years of their start date and complete the program within seven years of their start date.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.