Title: Registered Nurse - II
State Role Title: 49113
Hiring Range: Starting pay $82,000 (Salary commensurate with experience)
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop
Location: Western State Hospital
Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Western State Hospital (WSH) is a state-of-the-art psychiatric facility that has been in operation since 1828 under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, just 30 minutes from major university towns, WSH is a 302-bed, Joint Commission-accredited hospital. Affiliated with the University of Virginia's Department of Psychiatric Medicine, it serves as a training ground for professionals in nursing, social work, psychology, and activity therapy from various institutions.
Bonus Offer for Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Up to $25,000 in bonuses for newly hired RNs who are new to state service and remain with the facility for two years.
o $15,000 sign-on bonus with a one-year written agreement.
o $10,000 retention bonus awarded after one year of service, with an additional one-year written agreement.
Note: These bonuses apply to RNs new to DBHDS or those who have not worked with DBHDS in the past year.
Position Available: Registered Nurse (RN)
WSH is seeking experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide direct patient care in a safe, therapeutic environment for a specific patient population in its 24/7 psychiatric facility. Care will be delivered in accordance with policies and procedures, with an emphasis on patient-specific needs and competencies.
Key Responsibilities:
• Deliver quality care as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain accountability in a secure, therapeutic environment.
• Foster healthy interpersonal interactions in adult acute admissions, geriatric, and extended rehabilitation units.
• Observe and report on interventions, treatments, behaviors, and emotional wellbeing.
• Accurately document patient care and communication in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Supervise unit staff, including Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and LPNs.
• Assist individuals with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and perform direct one-on-one patient observations.
• Apply de-escalation techniques to manage behavioral incidents.
• Administer medication and treatments as directed.
• Communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary team regarding patient status and care plans.
Western State Hospital is looking for full-time classified Registered Nurses for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts. RNs will work (2) 12-hour shifts and (2) 8-hour shifts, or (5) 8-hour shifts per week. The successful candidate must work every other weekend, with holidays and overtime required as needed.
Shift Differential:
• 1st shift weekends and holidays): $5.50/hr.
• 2nd shift weekdays $5.50/hr. on weekends, and holidays: $6.00/hr.
• 3rd shift weekdays $4.00/hr. on weekends, and holidays: $7.00/hr.
Benefits of Working at Western State Hospital (DBHDS):
• Career advancement and continuing education opportunities.
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Retirement savings plans (two options).
• 24/7 on-site security.
• Paid sick leave and personal time off.
• Employee discounts on entertainment, travel, fitness, and more.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Three weeks of paid training.
• 12 paid holidays and vacation time.
• Paid life insurance coverage.
• Student loan repayment options.
• Referral bonuses.
• Virginia 529 College Savings Plan (eligibility may apply).
• Relocation reimbursement (eligibility may apply).
Minimum Qualifications
• Current Virginia licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) or eligibility for licensure in Virginia; multi-state compact endorsement accepted.
• Experience as an RN in psychiatric, acute care, long-term care, or correctional facilities preferred.
• Ability to effectively assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
• Strong clinical knowledge and supervisory skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team.
• Must complete BLS, TOVA, and other required training upon employment.
• Must successfully maintain competencies required by WSH.
Additional Considerations
• Preference for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English is highly desired.
• Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at (540-332-8300) for assistance. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.
Western State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.
DBHDS Facilities are no longer required to ensure that all staff members are vaccinated for COVID-19. However, facilities encourage and educate on COVID - 19 vaccination programs to staff, residents, and clients. Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources.
Contact Information
Name: Elizabeth Weber
Phone: 540-332-8056
Email: elizabeth.weber@dbhds.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
