Title: Nurse Practitioner

State Role Title: RN III/Nurse Prct II

Hiring Range: Starting Pay $128,524 (Salary commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
Western State Hospital | Staunton, VA
Make a Difference Where It Matters Most

Are you a Nurse Practitioner passionate about whole-person care and meaningful patient outcomes? Join our team at Western State Hospital (WSH), where you’ll provide primary medical care to individuals in a collaborative, recovery-focused mental health setting. Your skills and compassion will help shape a healthier future for those who need it most.

Who We Are
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

We are proud to be a leader in behavioral health care innovation and patient-centered outcomes. Our team of compassionate, highly skilled professionals is committed to recovery, self-determination, and wellness for all individuals we serve.

About the Role
As a Nurse Practitioner at WSH, you will serve as a primary care provider for patients within our inpatient psychiatric hospital. You’ll evaluate and treat patients with both chronic and acute medical conditions, partner closely with psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals, and make a lasting impact through a holistic approach to care.

Key Responsibilities
Provide direct medical care to assigned units:
• Conduct comprehensive history and physicals
• Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
• Order and interpret diagnostic studies
• Coordinate care with specialty providers
• Communicate treatment plans to patients and families
Support clinical education:
• Guide medical students in Internal Medicine electives
• Attend teaching sessions
Support hospital-wide quality initiatives:
• Participate in performance improvement projects
• Report safety concerns within 24 hours
Participate in medical staff committees:
• Actively contribute to committee work
• Maintain CME requirements

What We Offer
Competitive Salary
- FNP Starts at $128,524 with additional compensation based on experience, education, certifications and autonomous licensure status.
- Total compensation value begins at $191,514, including salary, paid time off, and benefits
Outstanding State Benefits
- 13 Paid Holidays
- 12 Vacation Days
- 8 Sick Days
- 4 Family/Personal Days annually

Comprehensive Insurance Options:
- Low-cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance
- Short & Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Group Life and Optional Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Student Loan Repayment Opportunities

Minimum Qualifications

- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
- Current unrestricted RN and NP licenses in the Commonwealth of Virginia with RX Authority.
- Nurse Practitioner Board Certification for FNP, AGNP, or AGACNP Specialty
- Active Virginia DEA prior to approval of clinical privilege.
- Knowledge in managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, COPD, UTIs, etc.
- Experience with psychotropic medication monitoring (preferred)
- Excellent clinical judgment, strong communication, and a respectful, collaborative approach

Additional Considerations

Autonomous licensure
Bilingual
Veteran or veteran spouse

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.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: 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 Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at (540-332-8300) for assistance. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.

Western State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.

DBHDS Facilities are no longer required to ensure that all staff members are vaccinated for COVID-19. However, facilities encourage and educate staff on the benefits and offer COVID - 19 vaccination programs to staff, residents, clients. Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: 540-332-8306

Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov

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.