Summary
This job is for a registered nurse at a state behavioral health center in Washington, where you'll provide psychiatric and medical care to adults working to restore their mental competency for legal proceedings.
You'll handle tasks like giving medications, managing crises, and supporting patients in a secure environment, often during evening or night shifts.
It's a great fit for experienced nurses who are compassionate, quick-thinking, and enjoy team-based work in mental health recovery.
Full Job Description
DSHS BHTC Registered Nurse 2
Bring your professional skill, sound judgment, and compassion to a team that values you.At the Behavioral Health and Treatment Center – Steilacoom Unit, we provide psychiatric and medical care to adults receiving competency restoration services.
The work here is purposeful. You'll help residents regain stability, strengthen communication and coping skills, and prepare them to move forward in the legal process.
As a Registered Nurse 2, you’ll collaborate with behavioral health professionals, social workers, and clinicians who share your commitment to high-quality care.
Every shift offers the chance to use your clinical expertise in meaningful ways, which supports residents through recovery, change, and growth.
Additional Information:
- Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary
- Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs
- Evening and Night shifts include a shift differential in addition to the standard compensation rate
- Work Shift: 7pm – 7am - Rotating Shift
Some of what you'll do:
- Demonstrate consistent, safe, and independent delivery of psychiatric nursing care in a secure competency restoration setting, including medication administration, documentation, and crisis response
- Become proficient in de-escalation, Code Gray response, and therapeutic milieu management while functioning effectively as part of the multidisciplinary treatment team, including occasional charge/lead responsibilities
- Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of all patient care provided
- Educate patients and families regarding medication, treatment plans, behavior interventions, and cottage programs
- Report and document significant changes in patient condition.
- Prepare shift change report
- Monitor patients' safety and initiate interventions to prevent harm
- Lead and co-lead group activities on the ward
- Sign off patient movements
- Perform nursing admission assessment
- Support and maintain a therapeutic milieu during night shift, including face checks, resident support, and early intervention for behavioral escalation
- Participate in crisis response and safety interventions, including de-escalation, Code Gray participation, and application of restraints when clinically indicated and authorized
- Provide direct psychiatric nursing care, including assessment, medication administration, monitoring, and documentation in the electronic health record
- Other duties as assigned
What we're looking for:
- Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing; AND
- One year experience working as a Registered Nurse; OR
- Equivalent education/experience
Interested? Apply now!
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work.
It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS.
We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Questions? Please contact sharon.sterling@dshs.wa.gov or call Talent Acquisition main line (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 00770.
Additional Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
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