DSHS WSH Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

Full Job Description

Are you a Psychiatric ARNP looking for great work/life balance? Would you like to get in on the ground floor of an exciting new program? Does the idea of being the go-to person excite you?

We are seeking an Psychiatric Advanced Registered Nurse (ARNP) Lead who is passionate about serving people with severe mental health conditions to join our team at Western State Hospital providing psychiatric care to forensic patients is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and experience with a large variety of diverse and complex cases.

Are you a psychiatric provider ready to lead in a dynamic and meaningful setting?

We're seeking a Psychiatric ARNP Lead to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals with complex psychiatric needs many of whom are navigating the intersection of behavioral health and the legal system.

In this leadership role, you'll serve as both a provider and clinical consultant, guiding treatment across the Gage and Civil wards while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage psychiatric evaluations, prescribe medications, coordinate care plans, and support patients through the competency restoration process.

Whether you're experienced in forensic psychiatry or new to the field, we offer robust training and support to help you thrive.

This is a dayshift opportunity with some flexibility.

Additional information

• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs
• Evening and Night shifts include shift differential pay in addition to the standard compensation rate
• 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

Some of what you will do

• Lead and Coordinate Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams. Direct and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure alignment of psychiatric care, treatment planning, and legal requirements for both forensic and civilly committed individuals.
• Deliver and Monitor Psychiatric Care. Provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, prescribe appropriate medications, and monitor treatment efficacy, including tracking compliance rates and clinical outcomes.
• Deliver and Oversee Psychiatric Care. Conduct Clinical Rounds and Optimize Treatment. Engage in daily clinical rounds with behavioral health and custody staff to assess patient progress, adjust treatment plans, and prioritize least restrictive alternatives for care and discharge planning.
• Coordinate Across Systems and Stakeholders. Collaborate with correctional staff, behavioral health teams, DSHS programs, courts, and community providers to ensure seamless, integrated care across settings.
• Ensure Policy Compliance and Contribute to System Improvement. Maintain compliance with BHA/WSH and correctional policies. Participate in policy review, updates, and development to improve clinical processes and care delivery.
• Audit, Analyze, and Report on Clinical Practices. Review treatment practices, collect and analyze data on medication management and treatment outcomes, and provide feedback to enhance program effectiveness and accountability.
• Provide Education and Clinical Consultation. Offer training for correctional and DSHS staff on psychiatric care and legal processes and serve as a clinical consultant to support medication payment policies and best practices in forensic mental health.

Who should apply
A valid Washington State license to practice as an Advanced Registered Nurse, which also requires a valid Washington State Registered Nursing licensure.

Preferred/Desired:
• Eight years of working experience as an ARNP with MSN OR 6 years’ experience with DNP
• Experience in intervening and de-escalating crisis/dangerous situations.
• Knowledge of all hospital, state, and jail regulatory standards, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of mental illness and recovery principles.
• Demonstrates the principles of universal precautions and infection control practices.
• Ability to work with difficult or angry patients in a therapeutic, non-threatening manner.
• Ability to work as a team member and to resolve personal conflicts in a calm, non-threatening manner.

Want to know more about Western State Hospital? Click on the videos below to meet staff, take a tour, and explore your career. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.





Interested ? please apply and include:

• Current chronological resume
• Contact information for at least three professional references, including one who is currently or has supervised you within the past three years.

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.

If you have questions about job number 06562, please contact reema.goyal@dshs.wa.gov

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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