DSHS HCLA Nursing Consultant Institutional

State of Washington; Arlington (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services seeks a Nursing Consultant Institutional in Arlington. You will conduct licensing inspections and investigations, evaluate care quality, and ensure compliance with state regulations across residential care settings.

This role blends field work with remote follow-up and office tasks. You will provide nursing guidance to staff and stakeholders, coordinate with adult protective services and other agencies, and prepare formal reports

Qualifications

• Master of Nursing or MS in Nursing with two years RN experience in long-term care or behavioral health.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing with three years RN experience in long-term care or behavioral health.
• Associate Degree in Nursing with five years RN experience in long-term care or behavioral health.

Responsibilities

• Conduct licensing inspections, complaint investigations, follow-up inspections, and monitoring visits at licensed care settings.
• Evaluate nursing care by observing environments, reviewing records, and interviewing residents, families, staff.
• Analyze findings to identify deficient practices and communicate results to providers and staff.
• Prepare technical reports, investigation summaries, statements of deficiencies, and records on schedule.
• Coordinate investigations with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, and other agencies as needed.
• Provide nursing guidance to Allied Health peers and facility staff while protecting confidential information.
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and hearings following established policies and directives.

Skills

Nursing principles

Assess and evaluate care

Information analysis

Effective communication

Professional demeanor

Electronic records skills

Community resources & teaching

Education

Master of Nursing / MS in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Associate Degree in Nursing

Job description

DSHS HCLA – Nursing Consultant Institutional

Join our team as a Nursing Consultant Institutional in Arlington and help protect the health, safety, and well-being of individuals receiving care in licensed residential and long-term care settings. Based out of the HCLA Region 2 Arlington/Smokey Point Office, you will use your nursing expertise to conduct facility inspections, investigate complaints, evaluate the quality of care, and ensure providers meet state licensing requirements. Your work will help identify risks, promote safe and appropriate care, and support continuous improvement across a variety of care settings.

Some of what you'll do:

• Conduct licensing inspections, complaint investigations, follow-up inspections, and monitoring visits at Adult Family Homes (AFH), Assisted Living Facilities (ALF), Enhanced Services Facilities (ESF), nursing homes, and other licensed residential care settings.
• Evaluate nursing care and resident services by observing care and living environments, reviewing professional records, and gathering information from residents, families, facility staff, and other sources.
• Analyze findings to identify deficient practices, determine compliance with state regulations, and communicate inspection and investigation results to providers and staff.
• Prepare accurate technical reports, investigation summaries, statements of deficiencies, and electronic records while meeting required timelines and performance standards.
• Coordinate complaint investigations with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, the Long-Term Care Ombuds, the Department of Health, and other investigative agencies as needed.
• Provide nursing consultation and guidance to Allied Health peers, facility staff, and other stakeholders while maintaining professional communication and protecting confidential information.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, informal dispute resolutions, administrative hearings, and other assigned activities while following established policies, procedures, and management directives.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of professional nursing principles and practices, institutional nursing services, long-term care, and public health.
• Ability to assess and evaluate nursing care and institutional services, identify deficient practices, and recommend improvements.
• Ability to analyze information, exercise objective judgment, and make sound decisions based on observations, records, interviews, and applicable regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with management, peers, providers, residents, families, and the public.
• Ability to maintain a professional, objective, and respectful demeanor when handling difficult situations and interacting with diverse populations.
• Computer skills to maintain electronic records, enter data, and use programs and databases required for assigned duties.
• Knowledge of community resources, organizational practices, effective teaching methods, and research techniques to support collaboration, education, and improved nursing services.

Who should apply?

• A Master of Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degree and two years of registered nursing (RN) experience in a long-term care or behavioral health setting.
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and three years of RN experience in a long-term care or behavioral health setting.
• An Associate Degree in Nursing and five years of RN experience in a long-term care or behavioral health setting.

Note: A valid Washington State license to practice as a registered professional nurse is required.

Additional information:

• Work schedule: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
• Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• Hiring timeline: we anticipate completing interviews and making a hiring decision by mid-December, with training scheduled to begin in January.
• This position completes work remotely and in the field, conducting onsite visits to licensed residential care settings. Office space is also available at the Arlington/Smokey Point office for completing work tasks.

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.

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 ( 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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