Psychiatric & SUD Registered Nurse (RN)- Denver or Cañon City, CO

Denver or Cañon City, Colorado Local Contract $58-$64/hour DOE

WSi Healthcare Personnel is seeking experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) for anticipated full-time psychiatric and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) nursing contract opportunities supporting the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). These specialized nursing assignments provide an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on individuals receiving psychiatric, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment within secure Colorado correctional facilities. We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and clinically experienced nurses who are comfortable working in a correctional environment and interested in a stable, long-term local contract assignment.

All positions are FULL-TIME and LOCAL. Travel nursing arrangements are not available at this time.

Available Locations & Specialized Nursing Programs

• Denver Women's Correctional Facility (DWCF) - Denver, CO: The facility has two specialized treatment programs: a 65-bed Therapeutic Community (TC), where nurses provide dedicated care to individuals participating in structured Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment, supporting medication adherence, patient education, and management of co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions; and a 48-bed Residential Treatment Program (RTP), where nurses provide specialized inpatient psychiatric nursing care, including psychiatric stabilization, nursing assessments, medication management, and individualized treatment planning. DWCF nurses may be required to float between the Therapeutic Community and Residential Treatment Program based on facility needs.

• Centennial Correctional Facility (CCF) - Cañon City, CO: The facility has a 16-bed Substance-Induced Psychosis Unit, where nurses provide specialized psychiatric nursing care to individuals experiencing substance-induced psychosis and co-occurring psychiatric conditions, supporting psychiatric stabilization, medication management, risk assessments, treatment planning, and ongoing clinical monitoring. Nurses will also provide peripheral nursing support to the facility's 272-bed Residential Treatment Program (RTP). CCF nurses may be required to float between the Substance-Induced Psychosis Unit and RTP based on facility needs.

Assignment Details:

• Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week (typically three 13-hour-and-20-minute shifts); assigned shifts may include weekends.
• Shift Hours: 5:40 AM-7:00 PM (13 hours and 20 minutes), subject to facility needs
• Assignment Length: Minimum six-month commitment; one-year availability preferred
• Anticipated Start: Tentative January 2027
• Compensation: $58-$63/hour, depending on qualifications and approved assignment terms
• Location Requirement: Must be able to commute reliably to the assigned facility; no travel nursing arrangements

What You'll Do

As a Psychiatric/SUD Registered Nurse, you will provide specialized nursing care and treatment support to patients participating in psychiatric, behavioral health, and substance use disorder programs. Your responsibilities may include:

• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments addressing psychiatric, substance use, and general medical needs.
• Administer prescribed routine, PRN, emergency, and involuntary medications in accordance with CDOC policies and nursing standards.
• Monitor medication effectiveness, side effects, patient response, and treatment adherence.
• Identify clinical risks, perform appropriate risk assessments, and notify providers of significant changes.
• Educate patients regarding substance use disorders, psychiatric conditions, medications, and associated medical complications.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning and clinical team meetings.
• Facilitate prescribed individual therapeutic interventions and educational group sessions.
• Support patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.
• Perform ordered urinalysis testing and other applicable nursing procedures.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation.
• Collaborate with medical, psychiatric, behavioral health, and correctional professionals.
• Follow all facility safety, security, confidentiality, and nursing practice requirements.

Why Join WSi Healthcare Personnel?

With 38 years of healthcare staffing experience, WSi Healthcare Personnel has an established history of supporting healthcare professionals in specialized clinical environments, including correctional healthcare. WSi is already an active healthcare staffing partner supporting the Colorado Department of Corrections. Our dedicated correctional healthcare team understands the unique credentialing, security, onboarding, and operational expectations associated with working inside Colorado correctional facilities.

Ready to take the next step in your nursing career? Apply today to connect with WSi's correctional healthcare team!