DSHS HCLA Nursing Consultant Institutional

Protecting people in long-term care requires more than identifying concerns. 

It requires careful investigation, sound nursing judgment, and consistent follow-through.

As a Nursing Consultant, you'll conduct investigations and inspections for Region 1C, helping ensure long-term care providers meet applicable Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) requirements. This is a highly independent role. You'll manage a worklist with defined due dates, travel to assigned facilities, and work with residents, providers, the public, and your teammates to complete inspections and complaint investigations. You'll be responsible for moving your work forward while knowing when to turn to your peers or Field Manager for support. 

The goal is timely, thorough work that helps ensure residents' needs are being met and providers are operating within applicable requirements. 

We encourage you to apply if you're an experienced registered nurse with a long-term care background who works well with both autonomy and accountability. You can organize competing deadlines, exercise objective judgment, and communicate professionally with people who may be navigating difficult circumstances. You'll likely thrive here if you value flexibility but don't equate independence with working alone. 

This is a highly functioning, professional team where people rely on one another for training, information, and support. 

Your first 90 days will focus on learning the inspection and investigation processes, applicable requirements, worklist expectations, and the tools you'll use in the field and remotely. You'll build relationships with your Field Manager and teammates while developing the knowledge needed to manage assigned work with increasing independence. 

By six months, success means you're functioning as a Nursing Consultant with little oversight, managing your workload and deadlines, and contributing as a dependable member of the team. 

Still reading? Here's what the role involves.


Some of What You'll Do

• Conduct assigned inspections and complaint investigations for long-term care facilities in Region 1C.
• Manage a worklist of assignments and complete work according to established due dates.
• Initiate complaints and inspections on time and close work within policy timelines.
• Work with residents, providers, the public, and others to gather information and address assigned work.
• Evaluate institutional nursing services using professional nursing judgment.
• Apply applicable WAC and RCW requirements when conducting inspections and investigations.
• Maintain clear communication with teammates and your Field Manager about workload, training, and support needs.
• Use computer applications and virtual collaboration tools to complete and manage your work.

Who Should Apply
You must hold a valid Washington State license to practice as a registered nurse and qualify through one of the following pathways:

• An Associate Degree in Nursing or nursing diploma and five years of experience as an RN in a long-term care setting.

OR

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and three years of experience as an RN in a long-term care setting.

OR

• A Master of Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing and two years of RN experience in a long-term care setting.

You'll also need:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of institutional nursing services and the public health and professional nursing fields.
• Knowledge of community organizations and resources, effective teaching methods, organization and administration, supervision, and research and study methods
• The ability to evaluate institutional nursing services, exercise objective judgment, and support improved practices.
• The ability to communicate effectively with management, peers, residents, providers, and the public. 
• The ability to work respectfully and professionally with diverse populations, including during difficult interactions or events.
• Computer skills sufficient to use and maintain the programs required for the position.
• The ability to perform the essential functions identified in the position description. 

Work Environment
Most of your work will be performed remotely from home or at assigned facilities. Regular travel to and from facilities is part of the role. Occasional overnight travel is required. 

When working remotely, you'll stay connected with your team through online collaboration tools and work closely with peers and your Field Manager for guidance and support. 

Performance is measured through annual evaluations, weekly one-on-one meetings with your Field Manager, worklist progress, completed inspections, compliant investigations, and meeting established timelines for opening and closing assigned work. 

How to Apply
Submit:

• Your resume
• Your cover letter
• Three professional references

Questions?
Email recruiter Kris George at kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 07277.

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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