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.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Chief Nurse Executive in developing, implementing, and aligning nursing strategic priorities across service areas to ensure high‑quality psychiatric care and organizational consistency.
- Lead the nursing preceptorship program, supervising preceptors and preceptees, ensuring effective onboarding, training, coaching, documentation, and competency development for new and existing nursing staff.
- Set clear expectations, deliver continuous feedback, conduct evaluations, address performance issues, and ensure staff meet professional standards, safety expectations, and departmental goals.
- Provide daily leadership, workflow oversight, staffing management, and performance guidance for admission nursing staff, acute admission RNCs, and the Compliance Review Specialist to ensure efficient, safe, and compliant operations.
- Monitor adherence to WSH/DBHDS policies, Joint Commission and CMS standards, documentation requirements, and risk‑management expectations; develop and support corrective action plans when needed.
- Conduct observations, audits, chart reviews, and evaluations of individual/group programming to ensure effective milieu management, treatment plan implementation, and adherence to psychiatric nursing standards.
- Promote clear communication among nursing, clinical teams, administration, and compliance departments; represent nursing in hospital‑wide reviews, committees, investigations, and collaborative initiatives.
- Collaborate with Human Resources and nursing leadership on recruitment strategies, screening applicants, participating in interviews, reviewing references, and evaluating retention initiatives.
- Participate in budget discussions, lead meetings in the absence of the CNE, prepare required reports, interpret policies, and contribute to ongoing performance improvement and operational enhancements across nursing areas.
- Ensure staff complete mandatory training, maintain required certifications, follow attendance policies, and engage in professional development; model open, respectful communication and continuous learning.
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
• Unrestricted RN license, or license‑eligible, to practice registered nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Prior professional nursing experience.
• Extensive management experience with progressive leadership responsibilities.
• Comprehensive clinical knowledge and experience in psychiatric nursing for adult mental health populations (ages 18–64), including both civil and forensic settings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple units and personnel and oversee comprehensive treatment for adult psychiatric patients in a hospital environment.
• Strong knowledge of administrative practices, including program planning, implementation, management, budget development, and supervision of nursing staff.
• Experience implementing nursing standards in accordance with regulatory guidelines and participating in performance improvement processes.
• Ability to delegate and supervise nursing staff effectively, with strong written, verbal, and sign communication skills.
• Ability to participate effectively in an interdisciplinary team and to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
• Ability to work overtime during staffing emergencies in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital, which may include working 16‑hour shifts when necessary.
• Completion of all required annual competency training, including TO with physical restraints.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers through the American Heart Association (or ability to obtain and maintain).
• Demonstrated knowledge of recovery‑oriented and trauma‑informed care principles.
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.