1st Shift Unit Nurse Manager

DHRM; Danville (VA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

12+ paid vacation days

Health insurance

Group life and optional life insurance

Family personal days

Job summary

Dept Behavioral Health/Develop is seeking an experienced RN Manager to lead a diverse nursing team at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Danville, VA. The role emphasizes trauma‑informed psychiatric care, patient safety, and successful team coordination to ensure high-quality care for adults with complex needs.

The position requires RN licensure in Virginia, supervisory experience, and strong clinical and communication skills, with a 1st shift focus and a $5,000 sign‑on bonus for new

Qualifications

• Current and in good standing Registered Nurse license to practice nursing in Virginia or license eligible.
• Graduation from a recognised registered nurse program.
• Experience in psychiatric nursing and prior supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of RNs, LPNs and PCTs to provide psychiatric nursing care to adults (18–64).
• Supervise 1st shift nursing staff; coordinate patient care from admission to discharge.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to deliver trauma-informed care and manage patient acuity.

Skills

RN license

Leadership

Verbal & written communication

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Problem solving

Multitasking

Electronic Health Records

Clinical supervision

Education

RN program graduation

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Computer skills

Job description

Title: Unit Nurse Manager

State Role Title: 49115

Hiring Range: $111,586 - $153,988

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Southern Va Mental Health Inst

Agency Website: https://www.svmhi.dbhds.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus for Nurse Managers that are new to state service and remain with the facility for one year.

Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse Manager to lead a team of RNs, LPNs, and PCTs (Psychiatric Care Technicians) in providing nursing care to adult psychiatric patients (ages 18-64) in a safe and therapeutic environment. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) supports Individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination, and wellness in all aspects of life. DBHDS operates 12 facilities: 8 behavioral health facilities for adults, a training center, a psychiatric facility for children and adolescents, a medical center, and a center for behavioral rehabilitation. State facilities provide highly structured, intensive services for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, or need substance use disorder services. DBHDS is committed to a life of possibilities for all Virginians. This position will work at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute, a 72-bed Joint Commission accredited State Mental Health Facility, located in Danville, VA.

The 1st shift RN Manager works closely with other members of a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide collaborative trauma-informed psychiatric care, prioritizing care according to patient acuity, and managing changes in patient behavior and/or physical condition. This position supervises a team of nurses and PCTs/CNAs on 1st shift and oversees patient care and operations to ensure the highest level of patient care. This position is actively involved in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care from the time of admission through discharge, and offers supervision and support to nurses and PCTs/CNAs.

Exceptional State Benefits

• 13 paid holidays, 12+ paid vacation days, 8 paid sick days and 4+ paid family personal days per year; Family Medical Leave, Short- and Long-term disability coverage; Low-cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance benefits; Group life and optional life insurance, and Flexible Reimbursement accounts.

Other State Benefits

• Student Loan Repayment opportunities
• Virginia 529 College Savings Plan may be available for this role
• State Employee Discounts and More!

Minimum Qualifications

• Current and in good standing Registered Nurse license to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or license eligible; multi-state compact endorsement is accepted.
• Graduation from a recognised registered nurse program.
• Experience in psychiatric nursing.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Valid driver's license is required and must remain valid and in good standing throughout employment.
• Skilled in clinical problem solving and patient management, and able to participate effectively in an interdisciplinary team process to treat psychiatric and sometimes aggressive patients.
• Leadership, supervisory, and managerial abilities with effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to mentor and teach others.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and work effectively in a fast-paced environment with constant interruption.
• Computer skills and knowledge of and experience with electronic health records.
• Knowledge and skills related to psychosocial rehabilitation/recovery models.
• Knowledge of SVMHI admissions process.
• Basic computer skills.

Additional Considerations

• Experience as a Registered Nurse and/or RN supervisor in a psychiatric, healthcare facility, acute care, long-term or correctional setting.
• Veterans and people with National Service.

Background Check & Eligibility

A successful fingerprint-based criminal history check, drug screen, and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position. Under Virginia Code §37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific “barrier” crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending “barrier” charges. 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 any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources. Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged 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 with the Department of Aging and 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. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at [phone] for assistance. DBHDS 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. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY. SVMHI uses Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment. SVMHI is a smoke and vape‑free facility in all buildings and outside facility grounds.

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.

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.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Advertised: 02 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 18 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time