Nurse Manager

Nurse Manager

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

The Nurse Manager performs advanced (senior-level) nursing functions such as planning, developing, coordinating, supervising and evaluating the provision of nursing care on a 24-hour basis. Directs the day-to-day operations of all assigned areas. Identifies and implements standards of practice that are consistent with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), The Texas Administrative Code (TAC), the Texas State Board of Nursing and other state and federal regulations related to State Hospitals (SHs). Ensures a competent and sufficient workforce including hiring, time and leave activities, training/coaching, and evaluating staff performance. Participates in the development and support of integrated interdisciplinary treatment teams. Works closely with other divisions and departments, interdisciplinary teams (IDTs), individuals, and their families, and external organizations such as professional groups, advocacy groups, surveyors and monitors. Participates in performance improvement and quality assurance activities. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Performs other duties as assigned.

Other duties as assigned include actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of nursing techniques, standards, and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses and procedures; of accepted medical treatment patterns; of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures; of program regulations and procedures; and of utilization review and control measures. Knowledge of state and federal laws, the Joint Commission, regulations, policy and procedures related State Hospitals or ability to quickly gain that knowledge. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications. Skill in the care and treatment of individuals. Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system. Skill in time management and prioritization. Strong interpersonal skills which promote teamwork. Strong coaching skills. Ability to appropriately interact with individuals' mental illness, with their family members, and with staff members. Ability to provide individual care; to prepare and maintain records; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; and to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment. Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities. Ability to instruct, train, and supervise the work of others. Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff. Ability and skills to perform comprehensive physical assessments and identify abnormal findings on evaluation and to recognize signs and symptoms of illness or injury. Ability to analyze, assimilate, and integrate information in order to make nursing judgments about conditions and the acuity of conditions, to develop plans of care, and to evaluate outcomes of care. Ability to provide nursing care for individuals and/or staff members in emergency situations. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). And Treatment Intervention and Protection Strategies (TIPS).

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact). Must maintain current CPR certification.

Initial Screening Criteria: Bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Four (4) years' experience working in a setting with other professional disciplines. Four (4) years' experience with a psychiatric population and/or with severe and persistent mental illness. Five (5) years of experience in direct nursing practice as a practicing registered nurse in a hospital setting to include planning and directing daily clinical activities of a nursing care unit. Three (3) years' experience as an administrative nurse with supervisory authority over other nurses preferred. Three (3) years' experience working as a team leader or nursing manager preferred.

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.