DSHS WSH Forensic Care Associate 2

Washington State Health Care Authority; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay (on-site)

Orca Card transportation

Job summary

Western State Hospital, part of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, is seeking Nurse Assistants to train as Forensic Care Associates on the Gage Center for Forensic Excellence. You will learn behavioral health treatment under RNs, support patient care, safety, and de-escalation in a forensic ward environment.

Starting salary varies by step and level (FCA1–FCA2); training is paid, with potential 5% premium pay for on-site work and Orca transportation benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Current WA Nursing Assistant Registration (NAR) or Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC/CNA) or Medical Assistant (MA) preferred.
• Patience and ability to deescalate behavioral issues.
• Ability to communicate clearly with patients, peers, management and the public.

Responsibilities

• Help create a supportive environment and guide behavior.
• Support patient safety and comfort, assist with general health and personal care.
• Maintain a clean, well-stocked ward environment.
• Assist with directed treatment plans, medications, activities and treatments.
• Observe for unusual or significant behavior and ensure safety.

Skills

Patience

De-escalation

Communication

Patient safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

WA Nursing Assistant Registration (NAR) / NAC/CNA / MA

Job description

DSHS WSH | Forensic Care Associate 1-2 In Training – Nursing Assistant

Western State Hospital (WSH) 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 within the Gage Center for Forensic Excellence. As a part of our team, you’ll help people obtain their treatment goals who have been diagnosed with behavioral health conditions and area waiting competency restoration.

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. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

We currently have multiple opportunities for permanent, temporary, and on-call employment. You can select the shifts and employment types that interest you in the Supplemental Question section of your online application. Evening and Night shifts may include a shift differential in addition to the standard compensation rate.

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 staffing 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, and 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 during outside trips.

Who should apply

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

*Social science college course work may be substituted for the behavioral health work experience described above on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred knowledge, skills, & abilities:

• Patience in delivering quality health care and daily living assistance.
• As a team member, willing to deescalate behavioral issues in a calm, non-threatening manner.
• Comprehend and communicate effectively both verbally and in 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.

Note:

All FCAs receive classroom and on-the-job training related to patient interaction, facility rules and procedures, and ward observation. The goal class for this role described above is for a Forensic Care Associate 2. We may consider applicants at the FCA2 level if you have 2 years of work experience*in the direct care of people diagnosed with behavioral health issues or needing behavioral health care services; or those with a current WA Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) that included psychiatric nurse training; or completion of 12-month in-training plan as a FCA1.

Starting salary

Depends on your qualifications. All training is paid!

• Forensic Care Associate 1: Step A $4,108/monthly ($23.61/hour) – Step M $5,506/monthly ($31.64/hour)
• Forensic Care Associate 2: Step A $4,300/monthly ($24.71/hour) – Step M $5,779/monthly ($33.21/hour)

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 (Nebipism) 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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