Salary : $130,176.00 - $213,300.00 Annually Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA Job Type: Full Time - Permanent Job Number: 2025-06562 Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services Division: BHHA Opening Date: 02/03/2025 Closing Date: 2/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Description Are you a Psychiatric ARNP looking for great work/life balance? Would you like to get in on the ground floor of an exciting new program? Does the idea of being the go-to person excite you? We are seeking an Psychiatric Advanced Registered Nurse (ARNP) Lead who is passionate about serving people with severe mental health conditions to join our team at providing psychiatric care to forensic patients is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and experience with a large variety of diverse and complex cases. Are you a psychiatric provider ready to lead in a dynamic and meaningful setting? We're seeking a Psychiatric ARNP Lead to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals with complex psychiatric needs many of whom are navigating the intersection of behavioral health and the legal system. In this leadership role, you'll serve as both a provider and clinical consultant, guiding treatment across the Gage and Civil wards while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage psychiatric evaluations, prescribe medications, coordinate care plans, and support patients through the competency restoration process. Whether you're experienced in forensic psychiatry or new to the field, we offer robust training and support to help you thrive. This is a dayshift opportunity with some flexibility. Additional information Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs Evening and Night shifts include shift differential pay in addition to the standard compensation rate Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary Some of what you will do Lead and Coordinate Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams. Direct and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure alignment of psychiatric care, treatment planning, and legal requirements for both forensic and civilly committed individuals. Deliver and Monitor Psychiatric Care. Provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, prescribe appropriate medications, and monitor treatment efficacy, including tracking compliance rates and clinical outcomes. Deliver and Oversee Psychiatric Care. Conduct Clinical Rounds and Optimize Treatment. Engage in daily clinical rounds with behavioral health and custody staff to assess patient progress, adjust treatment plans, and prioritize least restrictive alternatives for care and discharge planning. Coordinate Across Systems and Stakeholders. Collaborate with correctional staff, behavioral health teams, DSHS programs, courts, and community providers to ensure seamless, integrated care across settings. Ensure Policy Compliance and Contribute to System Improvement. Maintain compliance with BHA/WSH and correctional policies. Participate in policy review, updates, and development to improve clinical processes and care delivery. Audit, Analyze, and Report on Clinical Practices. Review treatment practices, collect and analyze data on medication management and treatment outcomes, and provide feedback to enhance program effectiveness and accountability. Provide Education and Clinical Consultation. Offer training for correctional and DSHS staff on psychiatric care and legal processes and serve as a clinical consultant to support medication payment policies and best practices in forensic mental health. Who should apply A valid Washington State license to practice as an Advanced Registered Nurse, which also requires a valid Washington State Registered Nursing licensure. Preferred/Desired: • Eight years of working experience as an ARNP with MSN OR 6 years' experience with DNP • Experience in intervening and de-escalating crisis/dangerous situations. • Knowledge of all hospital, state, and jail regulatory standards, policies, and procedures. • Knowledge of mental illness and recovery principles. • Demonstrates the principles of universal precautions and infection control practices. • Ability to work with difficult or angry patients in a therapeutic, non-threatening manner. • Ability to work as a team member and to resolve personal conflicts in a calm, non-threatening manner. Want to know more about ? Click on the videos below to meet staff, take a tour, and explore your career. To learn more about DSHS, go to Interested ? please apply and include: Current chronological resume Contact information for at least three professional references, including one who is currently or has supervised you within the past three years. The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security. If you have questions about job number 06562, please contact Supplemental Information Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs, or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs. Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time. Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs. Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees. Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave. Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits. Updated 01-07-2026
