DSHS HCLA Nurse Field Manager

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Lynnwood (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services seeks a Nurse Field Manager for Residential Care Services (RCS). This full-time position, based in the Home and Community Living Administration in Lynnwood, WA, requires 1–2 days on-site.

Lead skilled teams to ensure compliant, high-quality long-term care aligned with regulatory standards. Eligible candidates have WA RN licensure and a leadership track in LTC via master’s, bachelor’s, or associate pathways with requisite years of

Qualifications

• Active, unencumbered RN license in Washington state.
• Leadership experience in long-term care settings with regulatory duties.
• Strong communication and team collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead field team relationships and coordinate with providers.
• Plan and organize unit calendar for inspections, investigations, and quality activities.
• Balance variables and schedule work in line with regulatory standards.
• Provide expert clinical judgment on findings and serve as medical resource.
• Proofread team reports for clarity and outcome-focused language.
• Stay current with state/federal regulations and required software.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Team management

Education

Master of Nursing (preferred) with 3+ years leadership in LTC

Bachelor's in Nursing with 5+ years leadership in LTC

Associate's in Nursing with 7+ years leadership in LTC

Job description

DSHS Nurse Field Manager – Residential Care Services (RCS)

We are in search of a self‑motivated, forward‑thinking leader to fill a vital regional role in which their passion for partnering with people who need access to long‑term services and supports is displayed every day. Within the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), our Nurse Field Manager will lead and support skilled and collaborative teams and thrive in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Here, high‑quality, person‑centered service delivery is our mission.

Washington is a national leader in rebalancing long‑term care, ensuring vulnerable individuals live safely in licensed and certified residential settings. The Residential Care Services (RCS) division sits at the center of that work. As Nurse Field Manager, you will manage an Assisted Living Facility field unit to ensure efficient, effective, and clinical outcomes are met in accordance with state and federal guidelines and regulations. Over your first 6 to 12 months, your primary accomplishments will be:

• Learning and maintaining current systems that help effectively manage the current workload and
• Continuing to meet Federal and State expectations in execution of regulatory duties.

This is a rare opportunity to stretch and grow as a leader. You will learn to navigate a complex set of variables while shaping the quality of care that touches Washington's most vulnerable adults. This is a full‑time opportunity based at the HCLA RCS Region 2 office in Lynnwood, Washington. Expect to work one to two days per week on‑site to provide required office coverage.

Some of what you'll do

• Establish, develop, and sustain strong, trusting relationships with your field team, providers, and fellow Field Managers.
• Plan, lead, and organize your unit's master calendar for full inspections, complaint investigations, and quality activities.
• Balance complex variables and utilize your team’s unique understanding of individual providers when developing schedules that fit unit needs and regulatory standards.
• Assess and exercise expert clinical judgment on healthcare findings submitted by staff, serving as a medical resource for allied health managers.
• Proofread and edit team reports to ensure observations are outcome‑based, accurate, and written in "plain talk" language.
• Stay continuously up to date with shifting state and federal regulations, as well as the specialized computer programs used to execute your work.

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

• An active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in Washington State.
• One of the following education and experience pathways:
  • A master’s degree in nursing (preferred) and at least 3 years of leadership experience in a Long‑Term Care (LTC) setting.
  • A bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least 5 years of leadership experience in an LTC setting.
  • An associate’s degree in nursing and at least 7 years of leadership experience in an LTC setting.

We are especially interested in applicants with:

• Demonstrated ability to utilize professional communication techniques to foster a safe, inclusive, and listening environment where team opinions are valued.
• Direct experience working with geriatrics, developmental disabilities, mental illness, and long‑term care provider frameworks.
• Experience managing and training a professional team of 8 to 15 staff members while navigating collective bargaining agreements.
• Excellent diplomatic skills to interact with the Assistant Attorney General’s office, compliance specialists, and external stakeholders.

Questions?

Please contact the recruiter at [e-mail] and reference 07763.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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 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.

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.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure

If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command.

DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here.

Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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