# Registered Nurse - Special Needs Unit

**Company:** [Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/9WWbqsPzhKkj37xFjK77Yf.md)
**Location:** Las Vegas, United States
**Workplace:** on site
**Employment type:** Full-time
**Department:** Nursing

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/a7bb361d-5308-4b28-a284-503a965e5375)

## Description

The Special Needs Unit is a highly specialized program serving youth ages 8–17 with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, congenital conditions, and co‑occurring psychiatric needs. The RN in this unit plays a critical role in **providing trauma‑informed, sensory‑aware, developmentally appropriate care** while ensuring safety, emotional regulation, and individualized support for each patient.

This role is ideal for nurses who are passionate about neurodiversity, behavioral health, and working within a structured, team‑driven environment.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:

-   Assesses/re-assesses by collecting and analyzing data through a systematic process of interaction with patients, guardians, and the appropriate health care providers regarding the patient’s physical, psychological, environmental, self-care, educational, spiritual, cultural, and anticipated discharge needs.
-   Ability to perform suicide assessments and understands suicide precautions.
-   Identify and incorporate each patient’s unique needs into a comprehensive and individualized care plan.
-   Identify and include into the care plan of each patient the disease, condition, impairment or disability.
-   Evaluate each patient care against the goals and plan of care and revises the care plan periodically, as needed.
-   Accurate and litigable documentation that meets current standards and policies.
-   Treats and cares for patients competently and as based on current developmental theories and psychiatric nursing knowledge and standards.
-   Understands a wide range of psychosocial, cognitive and/or developmental disorders and physical disabilities.
-   Rounds on patients, ensuring patient care and environment that optimizes patient safety.
-   Demonstrates knowledge of medication management to ensure patient care and reduce the likelihood of medical/health errors.

**Additional responsibilities specific to the Special Needs Unit:**

-   Assesses sensory needs, communication styles, and behavioral triggers unique to patients with autism or developmental disabilities.
-   Implements individualized behavioral support strategies, including visual schedules, sensory tools, and structured transitions.
-   Collaborates with BCBAs and RBTs to reinforce behavior plans and ensure consistency across the care team.
-   Provides clinical guidance and support to MHTs during behavioral escalations and crisis interventions.
-   Uses non‑violent crisis intervention techniques tailored to neurodiverse youth, emphasizing prevention and de‑escalation.
-   Partners with guardians and caregivers to understand baseline functioning, routines, and effective calming strategies.
-   Supports patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) when developmental or cognitive limitations require assistance.
-   Monitors for medical conditions commonly associated with developmental disabilities (e.g., seizure disorders, GI issues, sleep disturbances).
-   Ensures a low‑stimulus, safe environment by identifying and mitigating sensory overload risks.
-   Provides trauma‑informed, sensory‑aware nursing care tailored to patients with autism and developmental disabilities.
-   Collaborates closely with Mental Health Technicians (MHTs), Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to ensure consistent, coordinated care.
-   Utilizes structured routines, visual supports, and communication strategies appropriate for nonverbal or limited‑verbal patients.
-   Supports implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) developed by BCBAs.

## Requirements

-   Current State of Nevada Registered Nurse license required
-   Current CPR certification
-   Demonstrates sound leadership skills
-   Ability to organize activities and schedules for medical and/or non-medical tasks for patients.
-   Ability to stabilize acute psychotic and non-violent crises by using accepted intervention techniques.
-   Knowledge of autism spectrum characteristics, including communication differences, sensory processing challenges, and behavioral manifestations.
-   Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary behavioral teams (MHTs, BCBAs, RBTs).
-   Understanding of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and how to support their implementation in a clinical setting.
-   Knowledge of alternative communication methods (e.g., PECs, visual cues, simplified language).

## Benefits

A full benefits package is available the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

Desert Parkway offers competitive benefits to include:

-   Medical insurance
-   Dental insurance
-   Vision insurance
-   401K Retirement Plan
-   Healthcare spending account
-   Dependent care spending account
-   PTO Plan with holiday premium pay
-   Discounted cafeteria meal plan
-   Life insurance (including plans for spouse and children)
-   Short- and long-term disability (with additional buy-in opportunities)
-   Pet Insurance
-   Identity Theft Insurance