RN II-Nurse Preceptor

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services at Western State Hospital is seeking an RN II Nursing Preceptor Coordinator to lead the Nursing Preceptorship Program, provide clinical instruction, and support onboarding of new nursing staff.

The role collaborates with Nursing Leadership, HR, Staff Development, and Training to ensure a structured, trauma‑informed orientation that promotes patient‑centered care and staff development.

Qualifications

• Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible for licensure
• BSN preferred; advanced degrees encouraged
• Ability to delegate and supervise nursing staff; strong communication

Responsibilities

• Coordinate development and evaluation of the Nursing Preceptorship and shadowing program.
• Direct instruction, supervision, coaching, and mentorship of new nurses during orientation.
• Conduct classroom and on-unit training, reflections, and skills activities.
• Assess learners' knowledge and progress; provide timely feedback.
• Develop individualized learning plans based on learner needs and competencies.
• Support recruitment, retention, and progression of nursing staff.
• Maintain clinical competency and provide patient care when needed.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Training & development

Clinical coaching

Communication skills

Program coordination

Mentorship

Education

BSN preferred

Bachelor's or Master's in nursing

Job description

Contact Information

Name: Elizabeth Weber

Title

RN II-Nurse Preceptor

State Role Title

RN II/Nurse Prct I/Phy Asst

Hiring Range

Minimum salary of $87,373- Maximum salary of $107,000

Pay Band

5

Agency

Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location

Western State Hospital

Agency Website

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

Recruitment Type

Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

Western State Hospital is seeking an experienced and motivated Registered Nurse to serve as an RN II – Nursing Preceptor Coordinator. This position provides leadership, coordination, education, and hands‑on clinical support for the hospital's Nursing Preceptorship Program and plays an important role in the successful onboarding, development, and retention of newly hired nursing staff.

The RN II Nursing Preceptor Coordinator works collaboratively with Nursing Leadership, unit managers, Human Resources, Staff Development and Training, and other key stakeholders to provide a structured and supportive preceptorship experience. The position combines program coordination with direct clinical instruction, coaching, mentoring, and evaluation of newly hired nursing staff.

Primary Responsibilities Include

• Coordinate and support the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the Nursing Preceptorship and shadowing program.
• Provide direct instruction, supervision, coaching, and mentorship to newly hired nursing staff throughout the preceptorship process.
• Conduct morning huddles, classroom instruction, on-unit training, guided reflection, skills activities, quizzes, and end-of-day debriefings.
• Assess preceptees' clinical knowledge, skills, professional behaviors, and progress toward independent practice and provide timely, constructive feedback.
• Develop individualized learning plans based on each orientee's experience, demonstrated competencies, learning needs, and progress.
• Assist new nursing staff with integrating clinical knowledge into practice while reinforcing safe patient care, medication administration, documentation, communication, time management, and hospital/unit procedures.
• Conduct rounding and observations to evaluate the effectiveness of the preceptorship experience and identify opportunities for additional education or intervention.
• Coordinate additional unit-based or specialty training when needed to support successful completion of orientation.
• Serve as a positive professional role model and promote a supportive, inclusive learning environment that encourages professional development, confidence, and belonging.
• Collaborate with Nursing Leadership and the Staffing Office regarding preceptor assignments, shadowing schedules, training needs, and orientee progress.
• Establish and facilitate a facility-based preceptorship community of practice and support the continued development of staff serving as preceptors.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and prepare reports regarding preceptorship activities, outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support nursing recruitment, retention, staff development, and career advancement initiatives.
• Maintain clinical competency and provide direct patient care, including medication administration, when required by hospital or departmental needs.

This position requires strong clinical nursing knowledge, leadership ability, communication skills, sound professional judgment, and a demonstrated ability to educate, coach, and support nursing staff. The successful candidate will be committed to developing others and promoting safe, recovery-focused, trauma-informed, person-centered care.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia/Compact licensure.
• Graduation from an accredited nursing program (BSN preferred).
• 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.
• Experience with creating training material and maintaining training program is preferred.
• Prior experience as a Nurse Supervisor or training.
• Familiarity with Nursing philosophy of care, to include trauma-informed, person-centered, and relationship-based tenancy.
• 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 TO III with physical restraints
• Complete and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers with the American Heart Association
• Demonstrates knowledge of recovery/trauma informed care.

Additional Considerations

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

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]