Title: RN Manager Il-ACNE
State Role Title: Registered Nurse Manager II
Hiring Range: Salary starting at $123,291 (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
Western State Hospital is expanding their Nursing leadership team by recruiting for a second Assistant Chief Nurse Executive!
Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.
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
The Assistant Chief Nurse Executive (ACNE) serves as the primary deputy to the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE), providing high-level administrative and clinical leadership to ensure excellence in nursing operations. This role is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day oversight of the Admission Office, Acute Admission Units, and Compliance, ensuring seamless patient flow, standardized clinical protocols, and rigorous adherence to DBHDS, CMS, and Joint Commission regulations. A central priority of this position is the design and management of a comprehensive Nursing Preceptorship Program. The ACNE personally oversees the selection and training of preceptors and monitors the development of preceptees to ensure a highly competent, well-onboarded workforce and increased staff retention. As a key administrative leader, the ACNE manages performance across multiple supervisory levels, collaborates with Human Resources on nurse recruitment and retention, and develops corrective action plans for clinical investigations. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and maintaining a transparent communication system, the ACNE implements proactive strategies to enhance patient safety, documentation accuracy, and overall facility-wide quality outcomes.
Exceptional State Benefits Include:
• 13 paid holidays, 12+ paid vacation days, 9 paid sick days and 4+ paid family personal days per year; Family Medical Leave, Short- and Long-term disability coverage; Low-cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance benefits; Group life and optional life insurance, and Flexible Reimbursement accounts.
Other state benefits include:
• Internships, Career Ladders and Continuing Education Opportunities
• Referral Bonuses
• Student Loan Repayment opportunities
• Virginia 529 College Savings Plan may be available for this role
• Relocation Reimbursement may be available for this role
• State Employee Discounts and More!
Minimum Qualifications
Principles of management and leadership. Psychiatric Nursing knowledge, ability to manage work groups/coordinate patient care activities. Knowledge of Mental Health System. Ability to communicate clearly with all levels of staff. Knowledge of special needs requirements involving adult psych and forensic populations. Basic concepts of special studies activity and performance improvement methods. Preferred strong innovative executive leadership skills with demonstrated strategic planning and management.
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.