DSA Admissions

Western State Hospital; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA is seeking a Direct Service Associate III to support admissions and learning center programming. The role involves supervising patients, assisting with treatment plans, and coordinating care with the interdisciplinary team.

Requirements include effective communication with patients and staff, trauma-informed care knowledge, and the ability to work across multiple hospital areas.

Qualifications

• Effective communication with patients and staff; ability to follow instructions and report observations to licensed nurse.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care.
• Flexible, dependable, patient-focused and able to work across multiple hospital areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient supervision and support during Learning Center/PSR programming.
• Implement individualized treatment plans and one‑to‑one interventions using recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care principles.
• Serve as a role model and guide staff on patient engagement, safety procedures, and use of sensory tools.
• Recognize and respond to behavioral and psychiatric emergencies using least-restrictive approaches.
• Assist with orientation of new employees to Learning Center procedures and expectations.
• Provide coverage in Admissions Office, monitor newly admitted patients, record vital signs, and support the admission process.

Job description

Job Details

Title: DSA Admissions

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: Minimum of $39,982 to a maximum of $55,175

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

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

Shift: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Primary Duties Include

• Provide patient supervision and support during Learning Center/PSR programming while maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Implement individualized treatment plans and one-to-one interventions using recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care principles.
• Serve as a role model and provide direction to PCT/DSA staff regarding patient engagement, assignments, safety procedures, and appropriate use of sensory integration tools.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to behavioral and psychiatric emergencies using TOVA principles and least-restrictive approaches.
• Assist with orientation of new employees to Learning Center procedures and expectations.
• Provide coverage in the Admissions Office as needed, including monitoring newly admitted patients, obtaining and documenting vital signs, assisting with patient needs, and supporting the admission process.
• Provide direction and assistance to PCT/DSA staff assigned to Admissions Office duties.
• Complete required patient observations, safety checks, flow sheets, reports, and other clinical documentation accurately and timely.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, hygiene, appropriate clothing, nutritional needs, and other direct-care needs.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, coworkers, nursing staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment and support hospital efforts to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint.
• Provide unit support and accept deployment to the Learning Center, Admissions Office, inpatient units, or other areas based on patient care and staffing needs.
• Assist with patient transportation to off-site clinical appointments when assigned.
• Complete required annual competencies, mandated training, core training requirements, and continuing education.
• Demonstrate reliability and flexibility, including the ability to adjust work schedules or remain beyond scheduled hours when necessary to support patient care and safe staffing.
• This position requires an individual who is flexible, dependable, patient-focused, and comfortable working in multiple areas of the hospital based on operational and patient-care needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Employee needs to be able to effectively communicate with patient and staff; able to follow instructions and report observations/behaviors to licensed nurse.

Demonstrates knowledge of trauma informed care.

Additional Considerations

• Previous healthcare experience preferred
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and/or previous psychiatric experience preferred
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English a plus
• Veteran or Spouse of Veteran

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: Elizabeth Weber

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

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.