DSHS HCLA Nurse Field Manager

State of Washington; Lynnwood (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services, seeks a Nurse Field Manager for Residential Care Services. The role leads skilled teams to ensure high-quality, person-centered long-term care, aligned with state and federal regulations.

The position is based at the HCLA RCS Region 2 office in Lynnwood, WA, with on-site coverage one to two days per week. You will manage regulatory duties, build strong relationships with providers and staff, and ensure compliant, quality care

Qualifications

• Active Registered Nurse license in Washington State.
• Master’s degree in nursing with 3+ years LTC leadership experience OR Bachelor’s with 5+ years LTC leadership OR Associate degree with 7+ years LTC leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish and sustain strong relationships with field team, providers, and other Field Managers.
• Plan and lead unit calendar for inspections, investigations, and quality activities.
• Balance variables and schedule unit needs per regulatory standards.
• Assess clinical findings and serve as medical resource for allied health managers.
• Proofread and edit team reports to be outcome-based and in plain language.
• Stay up to date with shifting state/federal regulations and relevant computer programs.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Nursing leadership

Communication

Education

RN license WA

MSN preferred

BSN with LTC leadership

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.

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 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.

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. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. 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 (Neb?) 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.

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

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.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

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. Note: 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. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Note: 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.

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 nonovertime 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.

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.

Updated 01-07-2026