DSHS ESH Forensic Care Nurse Assistant

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

EASTERN STATE HOSPITAL in Washington state seeks motivated Nurse Assistants to serve as Forensic Care Associates under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. You will provide nursing care, de-escalation, and support patients awaiting competency restoration while helping them meet treatment goals.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED and current WA Nursing Assistant Registration or equivalent. The role includes training, shift work, and benefits as described in the agency overview.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Current WA Nursing Assistant Registration (NAR) or Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC/CNA) or Medical Assistant (MA) required.

Responsibilities

• Help create a supportive and positive environment by guiding people to improve their behavior.
• Engage with patients to ensure safety and comfort through health guidance, personal care, hygiene, and daily living activities.
• Maintain a pleasant, attentive ward environment that is fully stocked and comfortable for patients.
• Assist in the directed treatment plan and support nurses with administration of meals, activities, and treatments.
• Promote safe environments and observe patients for unusual behavior requiring attention.
• Maintain security in housing and treatment areas; inspect living areas and search for unauthorized items.
• Assist care team with documentation of vitals and observations on patient charts.
• Obtain a current Food Handler's permit and CPR certification.
• Escort patients to appointments or outside activities and supervise group or individual recreational activities.

Job description

Description

Eastern State Hospital (ESH) is seeking motivated, supportive Nurse Assistants to work as Forensic Care Associates who have compassion for helping people with a behavioral health diagnosis. Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, you will learn areas of behavioral health treatment that can further your career path in nursing, therapy, or counseling. In this role, you will provide nursing care and forensic ward de‑escalation to our patients. As a part of our team, you’ll help people obtain their treatment goals who have been diagnosed with behavioral health conditions and are awaiting competency restoration.

Some Of What You Will Do

• Help create a supportive and positive environment by guiding people to improve their behavior.
• Engage with and provide for patient safety and comfort through attention to general health and guidance in personal care skills, cleanliness, grooming, rest, activity, diet, and finances.
• Maintain a pleasant, attentive, fully stocked, and comfortable ward environment.
• Participate in the directed treatment plan for patients; assist the nurses and staff in the administration of food, medications, activities, and treatments prescribed by a physician.
• Promote safe environments for employees and patients; observe patients for unusual or significant behavior.
• Maintain security in housing and treatment areas, inspect patient living areas for cleanliness and order, search living areas and persons for unauthorized items.
• Assist care team with documentation of vitals and observations on patient charts.
• Obtain a current Food Handler's permit and current CPR certification.
• Encourage and supervise patients in a group or in independent recreational, social, and related activities, escort patients to appointments or outside trips.

Who Should Apply

• Those with a high school diploma or GED.
• And, a current WA Nursing Assistant Registration (NAR) or Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC/CNA) or Medical Assistant (MA).

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Patience in delivering quality health care and daily living assistance.
• As a team member, willing to deescalate behavioral health issues in a calm, non‑threatening manner.
• Comprehend and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with patients, peers, management, and the public.
• Capable to provide patient safety and comfort through attention to their general health and assistance in accomplishing daily hygiene issues.

All FCAs receive classroom and on-the-job training related to patient interaction, facility rules and procedures, and ward observation.

Candidates selected must be available to complete the ESH New Employee Orientation for two weeks Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm.

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.

Supplemental 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.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits

• Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
• Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
• To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
• Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
• Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
• The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.

Insurance Benefits

• Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
• Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
• To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
• Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
• Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
• The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

• State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
• Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

• All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

• Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
• Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Sick Leave

• Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
• Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

• Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non‑overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
• Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
• Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
• As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
• Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

• Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

• Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

• Leave Sharing
• Parental Leave
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Leave Without Pay
• Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Other Information

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Salary and Compensation

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. We currently have full‑time, part‑time and on‑call employment. Evening and Night shifts include a $2.50/hour shift differential in addition to the standard compensation rate.

Experience Requirements

• Permanent Part‑Time opportunities: Must have at least two years of experience in Behavioral Health.
• On‑Call opportunities: Must have at least two years of experience in Behavioral Health and be available to work a minimum of 24 hours per week, including every weekend and all holidays.

Other References

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