DSHS WSH Registered Nurse 3

State of Washington; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca card for transportation

5% premium pay for on-site work 3+days

Job summary

State of Washington's Western State Hospital in Lakewood, WA seeks multiple Registered Nurse 3s to serve as first-line supervisors on Gage and Civil Ward. Lead nursing staff across day, evening and night shifts, ensure quality psychiatric care, and report to the RN4/Nurse Manager.

The role emphasizes adherence to WSH Nursing Standards, policies, and DSHS guidelines, with opportunities to participate in treatment planning and multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Valid license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Washington and graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing; AND two years of professional nursing experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred, with supervisory or lead experience over nursing personnel.
• ANCC certification in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-BC) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervises nursing staff to facilitate care and ensure compliance with standards and policies.
• Schedule meetings and communicate the hospital's vision, mission and standards of care.
• Attend treatment planning and MET meetings to articulate nursing needs.
• Audit care delivery to ensure Nursing Standards and CMS participation.
• Participate in Code Gray, containment of aggressive patients, and use restraints when necessary.
• Participate in unit/ hospital committees and inform staff of policy updates.
• Counsel employees to promote growth, development and accountability under CBAs and guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Scheduling

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in nursing

Job description

DSHS WSH Registered Nurse 3 - Supervisor

Western State Hospital (WSH) is one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in Washington, dedicated to providing high-quality care to individuals with complex mental health needs. Located in Lakewood, WA, WSH offers a collaborative and supportive environment where healthcare professionals make a meaningful impact every day.

We are seeking multiple Registered Nurse 3s to act as a First line supervisor of nursing employees on both Gage and Civil Ward, providing nursing care to patients with psychiatric disabilities; supervise clinical care of patients and supervise performance of nursing employees on that shift to ensure compliance with WSH Nursing Standards of care, WSH policies and procedures, and DSHS Administrative policies. These positions will also report to the RN4/Nurse Manager of the assigned area.

There is a Day, Evening, and Night shift available for these positions.

Some Of What You'll Do

• Supervises nursing staff through knowledge, skills, and abilities to facilitate change in diverse populations. committees, and providing input on medical nursing care.
• Scheduling meetings with nursing staff; providing consistent messages about the vision, mission and standards of care within the nursing discipline and the hospital.
• Attends treatment planning and Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment (MET) articulating the nursing needs for the patient.
• Audits aspects of care delivery to ensure Nursing Standards and CMS conditions of participation are met.
• Pursue and contain escape risks. Participates in containment of aggressive patients during Code Gray response. Applies restraints to patients determined to be a danger to self or others.
• Actively participates in nursing, hospital or unit wide committees or work groups.
• Keeps staff informed of hospital policy changes and nursing care standards updates.
• Takes appropriate level of action with employees to promote growth, development and accountability according to current CBAs, hospital policies, Nursing Standards of Care and DSHS administrative guidelines.

Who should apply?

• Professionals with possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Washington and graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing; AND two years of professional nursing experience.

OR

• Equivalent education/experience.

Additional Skills, Knowledge And Abilities We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing preferred, with supervisory or lead experience over nursing personnel.
• Psychiatric nursing experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to lead employees in a positive direction.
• Preferred American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-BC).
• Operation of office equipment to include telephone, copy and fax machine, computer and various computer programs.
• Must be able to communicate and comprehend oral and written forms of communication with management, peers, clients, and the public.

Additional Information

• 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 receive a free Orca card for transportation use.

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 (Nebotism) 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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