Nurse III

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. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Nurse III 
Job Title: Nurse III 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Chld /orAdolPsych Nursing 
Posting Number: 14954 
Closing Date: 03/30/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Range: $7,532.75 - $8,886.16 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Evenings (Second) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location: Terrell Center for Youth 
Job Location City: TERRELL 
Job Location Address: 1200 E BRIN 
Other Locations: Terrell 
MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66N,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of eleven psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Nurse Manager performs advanced (senior-level) nursing functions such as; planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating the provision of nursing care on a 24-hour basis. The Nurse Manager is responsible for directing the daily operations in all assigned areas. The Nurse Manager facilitates the identification and implementation of Standards of Practice that are consistent with the HHSC and State Hospital rules and regulations, The Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the Texas State Board of Nursing. The Nurse Manager is responsible for ensuring a competent workforce. They provide clinical direction and expertise and ensure care is provided based on individual patient characteristics such as age, developmental level, diagnoses, and/or specialized patient needs. They participate in the development and support of partnerships within the hospital; other divisions and departments, recovery teams, patients and their families; and external organizations such as professional groups, advocacy groups, and the general public to facilitate community involvement and awareness. The Nurse Manager participates in the performance improvement activities. Supervises the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Serves as the spokesperson and catalyst for the professional practice of program-based nursing services through active and productive participation in performance improvement activities which include monitoring nursing performance indicators, conducting medical record audits, conducting nursing peer reviews, and participating in patient death reviews. Performance will reflect a high level of involvement, professionalism, and productivity.

Promotes an environment that empowers nurses to provide effective, compassionate, and efficient nursing care by fostering a climate that enhances job satisfaction through productivity and quality improvement. Develops nursing policies and procedures that promote a professional environment. Develops program specific policies and procedures that promote the mission of the program and assures congruence with professional and organizational expectations. Facilitates, coaches, and supervises others in the development and deployment of strategies to ensure optimal levels of nursing services are available to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ensures awards and recognition activities that promote staff morale. Assures the reporting of general patterns and trends of nursing care are provided (e.g., 24-hour nursing report, restraint and seclusion nursing documentation, staff call-ins, etc.). Provides clinical direction and expertise and ensures that care provided is based on an appropriate developmental level to meet specific and specialized patient needs. Works with recovery teams to implement patient-centered trauma informed care. Facilitates the identification and implementation of hospital-based Standards of Practice that are consistent with the Board of Nursing, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the rules and regulations of the Agency and state hospital.

Serves as a resource on nursing practices and education programs by performing consultative and administrative work. Ensures a competent workforce by participating in the design, development, and oversight of the implementation of systems that evaluate and contribute to the quality of patient care by participating in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives that address important aspects of nursing care. Incorporates program specific monitoring into on-going performance improvement activities and assures timely reporting. Utilizes data as a basis to identify and address patterns and trends as they relate to the delivery of nursing care. Assures review/revision of program nursing service manuals according to standards. Ensures that patient’s rights are protected by addressing issues found in patient care reports, client abuse and neglect reports, 24-hour reports, patient satisfaction surveys, and other hospital reporting mechanisms. Assures systematic capture, review and analysis, communication, and follow-up in relation to significant events on the program (e.g., Medication Errors, Adverse Drug Reactions, Unauthorized Departures, Emergency Transfers, Deaths, Unusual Occurrences, etc.). Oversees and conducts clinical reviews to ensure adequate clinical care is provided to patients. Alerts leadership of safety/risk management issues and actively facilitates problem-solving strategies.

Works with leadership to meet the nurse staffing plan to support the hospitals mission. Ensures the continuous (24-hours/day, 7 days/week) timely availability of nursing staff to meet patient care needs. Establishes and evaluates annually a staffing plan for nursing service that identifies minimum staffing for all levels of nursing personnel to promote a safe environment that complies all regulatory and professional standards. Seeks and utilizes suggestions to effectively streamline work efforts and minimize redundancy. Works with leadership keeping nursing management apprised of nursing services resource allocation and reallocation needs. Tracks and aggregates information for the purpose of analysis and feedback to program staff as well as leadership. Proactively identifies and seeks opportunities for improved recruitment and retention of qualified personnel. The Nurse Manager actively participates in the budget process that reflects patient activity needs, census variance, and staff vacancy rates, within the context of budget allocations and restrictions. Participates in the development and support of partnerships within the hospital and key stakeholders including patients and their families. Works with external organizations such as professional groups, advocacy groups, courts, law enforcement, and the general public to facilitate community involvement.

Partners with leadership to help design and deliver a high-quality system of care to patients using a multi-disciplinary approach. Assists the Nurse Educator in providing clinical rotations for academic linkages with colleges, universities, and training programs. Participates in assigned committees, workgroups, and task forces as requested. Promotes positive working relationships with outside agencies (e.g., Provider Investigations (PI), Office of Inspector General (OIG)), other hospital departments, programs and divisions including ancillary/support services, (e.g. Pharmacy, Medical Staff, Information Management, Clinical Laboratories, Dietary, etc.). On an annual basis, uses a customer feedback questionnaire to help identify opportunities for improvement.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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 Texas Nurse Practice Act, and the role of peer review in the provision of professional nursing

Knowledge of management theory, organizational planning, plan deployment, and improving organizational performance

Knowledge of the Recovery Model of Care       

Knowledge of training principles, practices, and techniques

Knowledge of group process, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations

Knowledge of nursing competencies, standards and psychiatric rehabilitation practices and techniques

Knowledge of professional nursing Standards, CPR, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Treatment, Intervention, and Protection Strategies (TIPS), and Psychiatric Nursing Assistant (PNA) Curricula

Skills in the care and treatment of patients

Strong interpersonal skills which promote teamwork

Skills in utilizing computer hardware/software.

Skills in administering restraint and seclusion.

Strong coaching skills

Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities.

Ability to instruct, train, and supervise the work of others.

Ability to develop a budget.

Ability to provide patient care.

Ability to prepare and maintain records.

Ability to organize and communicate information both orally and in writing.

Ability to interpret and explain standards and regulations.

Ability to instruct, train, oversee and provide guidance to others.

Ability to create and evaluate training objectives, requirements, and effectiveness of delivery.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to formulate learning objectives.

Ability to manage time effectively.

Ability to intervene therapeutically with patients experiencing psychiatric disorders (delusions, hallucinations, suicidal/homicidal ideation)

Ability to perform TIPS, CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, use the AED, provide First Aid

Ability to provide patient/family education regarding medications, disease processes, and health.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Texas, or in a party state, that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in nursing or from an accredited nursing program and at least one (1) year of work experience as an RN in a recognized health agency, hospital, or health care facility.

OR

Three (3) years of work experience as a RN in a recognized health agency, hospital, or health care facility.

Additional Information:

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 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.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.