Autonomous Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

DHRM; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Sick time

Family/personal time

Retirement with cash match

Job summary

Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA, is seeking a full-time Autonomous Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to provide independent psychiatric care for adult patients on assigned units.

Requirements include graduating from an accredited NP program, PMHNP certification, Virginia NP license with autonomous practice, and an active DEA. The role includes program leadership, collaboration with staff, and participation in hospital-wide psychiatric services.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
• Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
• Licensed Nurse Practitioner with Autonomous Practice and Prescriptive Authority in Virginia.
• Active DEA prior to the approval of clinical privilege(s).

Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychiatric care and assessments on the unit.
• Develop and implement treatment plans for patients.
• Review orders, emergency decisions, and treatment plans.
• Cross coverage on other units when staff are absent.
• Supervise psychiatric NP students.
• Review case formulations, treatment plans, and documentation.

Skills

Bilingual

Education

Graduate of accredited NP program

PMHNP certification

Virginia NP license with autonomous practice

Active DEA credential

Job description

Title: Autonomous Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

State Role Title: RN III/Nurse Prct II

Hiring Range: $133,023 to $183,571

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are

Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation "Learning" programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview

Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to provide psychiatric care as an autonomous practice Nurse Practitioner to patients on assigned unit(s).

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychiatric care of patients on the assigned unit including; psychiatric assessment; patient and family interviews; indicated psychotherapies, including individual, group, and family therapy; etc.
• Planning and implementing psychiatric, medical, and behavioral rehabilitation treatment plans for patients
• Reviewing orders, emergency decisions, and treatment plans made by others (ODs) for patients on the service.
• Cross coverage on other units when attending physician or PMHNP is absent
• Supervision of psychiatric nurse practitioner students
• Review of case formulations, treatment plans, documentation, and other activities of nursing students on the service

Benefits Include

• health, vision, and dental insurance
• life insurance
• paid time off
• sick time
• family/personal time
• retirement with cash match

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
• Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Licensed Nurse Practitioner with Autonomous Practice and Prescriptive Authority in Virginia
• Active DEA prior to the approval of clinical privilege(s)

Additional Considerations

• Bilingual
• Veteran or veteran spouse

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.

Application Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
• Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Licensed Nurse Practitioner with Autonomous Practice and Prescriptive Authority in Virginia
• Active DEA prior to the approval of clinical privilege(s)

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Inclusion and Disability

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.

Advertised: 21 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: