DSHS OHBH Licensed Practical Nurse 2

Join our team at Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health (OHBH), psychiatric hospital in Tukwila. Here, we care for adults who have been committed by a court for mental health treatment. Patients live in a secure setting, and trained staff work together on a care plan for each person.

As a Licensed Practical Nurse 2, you give hands-on nursing care on a hospital ward and work under the direction of a registered nurse. Each shift centers on safe, steady care. You give medications and treatments, check vital signs, and watch for changes in each patient’s health. When something changes, you report it and write it down so the whole team can act.

Some patients may show high-risk behaviors. Calm words and de-escalation always come first, and you help keep patients and staff safe when a situation needs more support. You also help patients with daily care and teach living skills that build independence. Your work helps patients feel safe, stay healthy, and move forward in treatment.

Schedule expected: 6:30a.m. - 7:00p.m. Working on a rotation of Week 1 - Sunday/Wednesday/Thursday and Week 2 -Tuesday/Friday/Saturday.

Additional pay incentives:

• King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.
• 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'll do:

• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, while monitoring, documenting, and reporting changes in patient conditions.
• Perform routine nursing care activities, including obtaining vital signs, conducting health assessments, and providing first aid as needed.
• Utilize nursing equipment and electronic medication administration systems to support safe and effective patient care.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and promote independence through therapeutic interactions and support.
• Apply de-escalation techniques and participate in behavioral interventions to maintain a safe treatment environment.
• Assist with patient containment, restraint procedures, and emergency responses in accordance with established protocols and under nursing supervision.
• Orient patients to the treatment environment, provide adaptive living skills education, and transport patients to on- and off-campus appointments and activities.

Who should apply?

We are searching for professionals who have:

• A current Washington State license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
• AND
• One year of experience working as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Additional skills, knowledge, and abilities we are looking for:

• Nursing care: Gives medications and treatments safely and accurately, following orders and nursing standards.
• Observation: Notices small changes in a patient’s mood, behavior, or health and shares them with the care team.
• Communication: Explains care in clear, simple terms and works well with patients, nurses, doctors, and other staff.
• De-escalation: Stays steady during hard moments and uses calm words and actions first to help patients feel safe.
• Teamwork: Partners with the registered nurse and care team to keep every patient and staff member safe.
• Teaching: Builds patients’ confidence by showing daily living skills in simple, patient steps.
• Technology: Uses computer programs, medication systems, and the electronic health record to keep records complete and correct.
• Equity and cultural competence: Respects each patient’s culture, background, and life experience, and gives care that is fair and free of judgment.
• Mental health knowledge: Understands the needs of adults living with serious mental illness and treats each person with dignity.

Interested? Apply today!

Questions? 

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Georgina Pringle at Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #09291.

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.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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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