Title: RN Manager I-Unit Manager
State Role Title: Registered Nurse Manager I
Hiring Range: Salary commensurate with experience
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
Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA
Who We Are
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located 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.
WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.
Position Overview
Western State Hospital seeks an experienced Registered Nurse to work as a Registered Nurse Coordinator (Unit Manager). Purpose of this position is to assure the provision of comprehensive patient-centered nursing care to individuals and groups of patients through the planning, organization, direction, supervision and evaluation of the quality of nursing care and the performance of nursing staff who provide that care. Assures that this care is provided in accordance with established standards of care and practice and facility policies and procedures, is integrated with interdisciplinary treatment and effectively uses available resources. Communicates clinical and administrative issues to Nursing Administration as appropriate. Responsible for the continuity of quality care delivered on a unit twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The Nursing Department provides 24-hour direct care services to psychiatric patients. The goal of care is to facilitate discharge to a less restrictive setting by assisting patients to improve and/or maintain their physical, mental and social functioning. This nursing care goal is achieved in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
Key Responsibilities
- Communicate expectations clearly and ensure staff understand goals, policies, and departmental objectives.
- Oversee staffing and scheduling, including bi‑weekly schedules and coverage for absences or vacancies.
- Supervise and coach staff, providing regular feedback, addressing performance issues, and completing evaluations on time.
- Ensure compliance with agency regulations, Nursing P/P, CMS documentation requirements, and training mandates.
- Promote a safe and equitable work environment by addressing safety concerns, maintaining fairness, and enforcing policies consistently.
- Manage operational tasks, including timekeeping, audits, reports, disciplinary processes, and leave management.
- Build a cohesive team through regular staff meetings, conflict management, support for new staff, and effective communication of procedural changes.
- Participate in and lead committees, nursing taskforces, recruitment/retention efforts, and unit- or hospital-wide initiatives.
- Provide direct patient care as an RN approximately 20% of the time to support unit operations and maintain clinical competency.
- Attend required meetings and support QM and practice improvements, providing feedback, implementing action plans, and ensuring equipment maintenance and infection control reporting.
Detailed Position description will be provided at the time of interview.
Benefit Includes
• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Retirement with cash match
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid time off (annual, sick, family/personal, and community service)
• Life insurance
• Potential eligibility for the Virginia Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (BH-LRP), subject to program criteria and restrictions.
Minimum Qualifications
• Current Virginia or Compact RN licensure (or eligibility).
• Prior professional nursing experience, preferably in psychiatric or behavioral health settings.
• Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care and participate effectively on interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate, supervise, train, coach, and evaluate nursing staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental illness, recovery principles, trauma‑informed care, and quality improvement practices.
• Effective communication skills, including written, verbal, and sign communication, and ability to maintain positive working relationships across disciplines.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct unit‑based nursing operations and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work overtime or extended shifts as needed in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital.
• Completion of all required annual competencies, including TO/physical restraints, and current BLS certification (American Heart Association).
• Knowledge of administrative functions and ability to apply sound judgment in clinical, administrative, and performance‑related decision-making.
Additional Considerations
Veteran or Spouse of Veteran.
Bilingual - Spanish preferred.
Graduation from an accredited nursing program (BSN, MSN preferred).
Experience in nursing leadership preferred.
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 (540) 332-8300 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: 540-332-8056
Email: elizabeth.weber@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.