Registered Nurse Part Time

DHRM; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Part time

Job summary

Western State Hospital is seeking part-time Registered Nurses to provide direct patient care in a 24/7 psychiatric setting. You will work on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shifts and support adult acute, geriatric, and extended rehabilitation units.

Qualified applicants hold an unrestricted RN license in Virginia, with BLS certification and the ability to work overtime as needed. Competitive shift differentials apply and duties include medication administration and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Current unrestricted RN license valid in Virginia
• Ability to delegate and supervise nursing staff
• Ability to work overtime in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Knowledge of recovery/trauma informed care
• Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team

Responsibilities

• Deliver quality care as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain accountability in a secure, therapeutic environment.
• Foster healthy interpersonal interactions in adult acute, geriatric, and rehab units.
• Observe and report interventions, treatments, behaviors, and wellbeing.
• Document patient care accurately in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Supervise unit staff including PCTs and LPNs.
• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and direct one-on-one observations.
• Apply de-escalation techniques to manage behavioral incidents.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed.
• Communicate status and care plans with the interdisciplinary team

Skills

Excellent communication

Interdisciplinary teamwork

De-escalation techniques

Observation and reporting

Medication administration

Patient care documentation

Education

Bachelor's and master's degree in nursing

Job description

Title: Registered Nurse Part Time

State Role Title: RN II/Nurse Prct I/Phy Asst

Hiring Range: $53.50/Hour Plus Shift and Weekend Differentials

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Western State Hospital (WSH) is a state-of-the‑art psychiatric facility that has been in operation since 1828 under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, just 30 minutes from major university towns, WSH is a 302-bed, Joint Commission‑accredited hospital. Affiliated with the University of Virginia's Department of Psychiatric Medicine, it serves as a training ground for professionals in nursing, social work, psychology, and activity therapy from various institutions.

Position Available: Registered Nurse (RN)

WSH is seeking experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide direct patient care in a safe, therapeutic environment for a specific patient population in its 24/7 psychiatric facility. Care will be delivered in accordance with policies and procedures, with an emphasis on patient‑specific needs and competencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver quality care as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain accountability in a secure, therapeutic environment.
• Foster healthy interpersonal interactions in adult acute admissions, geriatric, and extended rehabilitation units.
• Observe and report on interventions, treatments, behaviors, and emotional wellbeing.
• Accurately document patient care and communication in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Supervise unit staff, including Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and LPNs.
• Assist individuals with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and perform direct one‑on‑one patient observations.
• Apply de‑escalation techniques to manage behavioral incidents.
• Administer medication and treatments as directed.
• Communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary team regarding patient status and care plans.

Employment Details

Western State Hospital is seeking applicants for the part‑time RN position on either 1st,2nd or 3rd shift. Successful candidates must be available to work 4,8, or12‑hour shifts on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. or 7 a.m-3:00 pm, 3:00 pm-11:00 pm, or 11:00 pm-7:00 am. Part‑time RNs are required to work a minimum of 64 hours per month. Additionally, they must work 4 hours on either Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day, as well as 4 hours on another holiday, such as the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day.

Shift Differential

• 1st shift weekends and holidays): $5.50/hr.
• 2nd shift weekdays $5.50/hr. on weekends, and holidays: $6.00/hr.
• 3rd shift weekdays $4.00/hr. on weekends, and holidays: $7.00/hr.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current unrestricted RN license that is able to be utilized in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Ability to delegate and supervise nursing staff. Effective communication (written, verbal and sign).
• Ability to participate in interdisciplinary team. Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care.
• Ability to work overtime due to staffing emergencies in a 24 hour 7 day per week psychiatric hospital which at times may mean working a 16‑hour shift if and when necessary.
• Complete all annual competency training to include TOVA III with physical restraints
• Complete and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers with the American Heart Association
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of recovery/trauma informed care.
• Must be able to provide quality care as a part of an interdisciplinary team
• Must be able to maintain accountability in a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment
• Must be able to create healthy interpersonal interactions on adult acute admissions unit, geriatric unit, and extended rehabilitation service unit
• Must be able to Observe and report feedback regarding interventions, treatments, behaviors, physical and emotional wellbeing, and other situations
• Must be skilled in Documenting and communicating
• Must be able to use specialized training for promoting mental wellness recovery

Additional Considerations

• Veteran or Spouse of Veteran
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Psych Nursing experience
• Bachelor's and master's degree in nursing from an accredited institution or higher education.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre‑employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific (“barrier”) crimes or those with pending “barrier” charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Elizabeth Weber

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 09 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 09 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time