RNCA

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services seeks a registered nurse at Central State Hospital in Petersburg, VA. The RN will provide comprehensive inpatient care, administer medications, perform nursing assessments, and participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning.

Responsibilities include patient-family education, infection control, documentation, and crisis management to ensure safe, high-quality care.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in Virginia.
• “Graduation from an accredited school of registered nursing” is required.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to implement an effective Nursing Plan of Care.
• Provide patient and family education and infection prevention measures.
• Demonstrate ability to assess, intervene, and document patient care needs.
• Administer medications and monitor effectiveness per policy.
• Maintain accurate medical records and ensure handoffs are clear and complete.
• Manage crises and aggressive behavior while maintaining safety for patients and staff.

Responsibilities

• Implement a comprehensive Nursing Plan of Care within an interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Administer medications, monitor effects, and educate patients/families.
• Perform infection prevention and safety practices in daily activities.
• Document patient care in medical records and ensure effective handoffs to care teams.
• Demonstrate communication skills with patients, families, and staff; support crisis management.

Skills

Nurse collaboration

Plan of Care

Infection control

Medication administration

Patient and family education

Documentation

Crisis intervention

Electronic health records (EHR)

Education

Virginia RN license

Accredited nursing program

Job description

Title: RNCA

State Role Title: 49113

Hiring Range: $87,323 - $120,575

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

KSA’s Required To Successfully Perform The Work

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with successful outcomes with an interdisciplinary treatment team and to implement an effective Nursing Plan of Care as part of an integrated interdisciplinary Treatment Plan.


• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of professional registered nursing to provide care appropriate to adult populations, including patient care treatments, wound prevention, falls prevention, and implementation of infection prevention and control practices


• Able to make appropriate nursing assessments and interventions for existing or potential patient care needs


• Ability to safely and efficiently administer medications, assess effectiveness, and provide teaching to patient and family


• Ability to perform infection prevention and control practices and appropriately apply standards in daily activities


• Demonstrate oral, written, and electronic skills to adequately communicate with others including patient, family, and other customers; provide patient/family education; complete medical record documentation, and “handoff” information satisfactorily to other caregivers


• Demonstrate successful interventions to manage conflict including crises and aggressive behavior, motivate others, work effectively in a constantly changing environment, and tolerate emotional stress


• Some knowledge of the laws that identify & describe types of patients admitted to CSH, and of the accreditation/regulating organizations that establish standards


• Computer skills to perform document development, learning tools, and electronic communication


• Ability to hear and see in order to assess and respond to safety concerns


• Ability to work overtime in a staffing emergency


• Successfully complete T.O. (Therapeutic Options of Virginia) Training and CPR


• Supervisory skills to include performance improvement activities, documentation, and effective leadership ability


• Ability to work in a secure and locked environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement.


• Physical requirements necessary: repetitious walking and/or standing; bending, lifting and reaching overhead to position, restrain, transfer, transport, and/or escort patients, and to perform or assist in activities of daily living.

Minimum Qualifications

• License or eligibility to practice as Registered Nurse by Virginia State Board of Nursing in the State of Virginia.


• Graduation from an accredited school of registered nursing

Additional Considerations

• Experience in providing nursing care in healthcare setting according to the Nursing Process.


• Experience working with people with mental illness, geriatric issues, and/or substance abuse.


• Supervisory experience.

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 highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits

DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]