Nurse III

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Nurse III/Nurse Manager performs advanced (senior-level) nursing functions such as planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating the provision of nursing care on a 24-hour basis. The Nurse Manager is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations in all assigned areas; facilitating the identification and implementation of Standards of Practice that are consistent with the HHSC and State Hospital rules and regulations, The Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the Texas State Board of Nursing while ensuring a competent workforce; providing clinical direction and expertise and ensuring care is provided based on individual patient characteristics such as age, developmental level, diagnoses, and/or specialized patient needs; participating in the development and support of partnerships within the hospital, other divisions and departments, recovery teams, patients and their families, and external organizations such as professional groups, advocacy groups, and the general public to facilitate community involvement and awareness; and participating in performance improvement activities. Supervises the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

• Serves as the spokesperson and catalyst for the professional practice of program-based nursing services through active and productive participation in performance improvement activities, which include monitoring nursing performance indicators, conducting medical record audits, conducting nursing peer reviews, and participating in patient death reviews. Performance will reflect a high level of involvement, professionalism, and productivity.

• Promotes an environment that empowers nurses to provide effective, compassionate, and efficient nursing care by fostering a climate that enhances job satisfaction through productivity and quality improvement. Develops nursing policies and procedures that promote a professional environment. Develops program-specific policies and procedures that promote the mission of the program and ensures congruence with professional and organizational expectations. Facilitates, coaches, and supervises others in the development and deployment of strategies to ensure optimal levels of nursing services are available to patients 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Promotes awards and recognition activities that encourage staff morale. Ensures the reporting of general patterns and trends of nursing care are provided (e.g., 24-hour nursing report, restraint and seclusion nursing documentation, staff call-ins, etc.). Provides clinical direction and expertise and ensures that care provided is based on an appropriate developmental level to meet specific and specialized patient needs. Works with recovery teams to implement patient-centered trauma informed care. Facilitates the identification and implementation of hospital-based Standards of Practice that are consistent with the Board of Nursing, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the rules and regulations of the Agency and state hospital.

• Serves as a resource on nursing practices and education programs by performing consultative and administrative work. Ensures a competent workforce by participating in the design, development, and oversight of the implementation of systems that evaluate and contribute to the quality of patient care by participating in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives that address important aspects of nursing care. Incorporates program-specific monitoring into ongoing performance improvement activities and assures timely reporting. Utilizes data as a basis to identify and address patterns and trends as they relate to the delivery of nursing care. Ensures review/revision of program nursing service manuals according to standards. Ensures that patients' rights are protected by addressing issues found in patient care reports, client abuse and neglect reports, 24-hour reports, patient satisfaction surveys, and other hospital reporting mechanisms. Ensures systematic capture, review and analysis, communication, and follow-up in relation to significant events on the program (e.g., Medication Errors, Adverse Drug Reactions, Unauthorized Departures, Emergency Transfers, Deaths, Unusual Occurrences, etc.). Oversees and conducts clinical reviews to ensure adequate clinical care is provided to patients. Alerts leadership of safety/risk management issues and actively facilitates problem-solving strategies.

• Works with leadership to meet the nurse staffing plan to support the hospital's mission. Ensures the continuous (24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week) timely availability of nursing staff to meet patient care needs. Establishes and evaluates annually a staffing plan for nursing services that identifies minimum staffing for all levels of nursing personnel to promote a safe environment that complies with all regulatory and professional standards. Seeks and utilizes suggestions to effectively streamline work efforts and minimize redundancy. Works with leadership to keep nursing management apprised of nursing services resource allocation and reallocation needs. Tracks and aggregates information for the purpose of analysis and feedback to program staff, as well as leadership. Proactively identifies and seeks opportunities for improved recruitment and retention of qualified personnel. The Nurse Manager actively participates in the budget process that reflects patient activity needs, census variance, and staff vacancy rates, within the context of budget allocations and restrictions. Participates in the development and support of partnerships within the hospital and with key stakeholders, including patients and their families. Works with external organizations such as professional groups, advocacy groups, courts, law enforcement, and the general public to facilitate community involvement.

• Partners with leadership to help design and deliver a high-quality system of care to patients using a multi-disciplinary approach. Assists the Nurse Educator in providing clinical rotations for academic linkages with colleges, universities, and training programs. Participates in assigned committees, workgroups, and task forces as requested. Promotes positive working relationships with outside agencies (e.g., Provider Investigations (PI), Office of Inspector General (OIG)), other hospital departments, programs and divisions including ancillary/support services, (e.g. Pharmacy, Medical Staff, Information Management, Clinical Laboratories, Dietary, etc.). On an annual basis, uses a customer feedback questionnaire to help identify opportunities for improvement.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient operation of the patient care unit. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of the Texas Nurse Practice Act, and the role of peer review in the provision of professional nursing.

• Knowledge of management theory, organizational planning, plan deployment, and improving organizational performance.

• Knowledge of the Recovery Model of Care.

• Knowledge of training principles, practices, and techniques.

• Knowledge of group process, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations.

• Knowledge of nursing competencies, standards, and psychiatric rehabilitation practices and techniques.

• Knowledge of professional nursing Standards, CPR, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Treatment, Intervention, and Protection Strategies (TIPS), and Psychiatric Nursing Assistant (PNA) Curriculum.

• Skill in the care and treatment of patients.

• Strong interpersonal skills which promote teamwork.

• Skill in utilizing computer hardware/software.

• Skill in administering restraint and seclusion.

• Strong coaching skills.

• Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities.

• Ability to instruct, train, and supervise the work of others.

• Ability to develop a budget.

• Ability to provide patient care.

• Ability to prepare and maintain records.

• Ability to organize and communicate information both orally and in writing.

• Ability to interpret and explain standards and regulations.

• Ability to instruct, train, oversee, and provide guidance to others.

• Ability to create and evaluate training objectives, requirements, and effectiveness of delivery.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to formulate learning objectives.

• Ability to manage time effectively.

• Ability to intervene therapeutically with patients experiencing psychiatric disorders (delusions, hallucinations, suicidal/homicidal ideation, etc).

• Ability to perform CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, use the AED, and provide First Aid.

• Ability to provide patient/family education regarding medications, disease processes, and health.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of Texas (or state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact).

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Nursing or from an accredited nursing program; may substitute three (3) years' work experience as a RN in a recognized health agency, hospital, or health care facility for a four-year education.

• At least one (1) year experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility is required.

• Bachelor's Degree is preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Waco Center for Youth is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that serves teenagers ages 13 through 17 with emotional difficulties and/or behavioral problems. Waco Center for Youth bases its treatment philosophy on the belief that both behavior change and an understanding of self and others are equally important in achieving significant long term success in treatment. The mission of Waco Center for Youth is “to give each youth a chance for change” by providing comprehensive psychiatric residential treatment services to emotionally disturbed adolescents of the state of Texas. The facility is operated by the Health and Human Services Commission and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Facilities.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.