RN II - Direct Care

About the Role

This position is available for morning, evening, and night shifts on multiple State Supported Living Center (SSLC) homes in Denton, TX. The Direct Care RN provides routine‑level nursing care, assesses, treats, and documents the health needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may be medically fragile or have behavioral challenges. The RN works as part of an interdisciplinary team, communicates with direct‑care staff, physicians, and administration, and participates in quality‑assurance initiatives.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full‑time eligible employees
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Generous time‑off benefits
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement
• Free CEUs and updated resources through Lippincott for all nurses

Pay

Salary range: $6,579.41 – $7,761.50 per month (Pay Frequency: Monthly). Salary Group: TEXAS‑B‑22.

Schedule

• Primary shift: Day
• Additional shifts: Days (First), Evenings (Second), Nights (Third), Weekends
• Travel: Up to 5% of time
• Telework: Not eligible

Responsibilities

• Attend work regularly; may be required to work specific, rotating, extended, or overtime schedules and serve on‑call as needed.
• Perform routine nursing tasks and procedures in accordance with HHSC, SSLC, and state regulations, including tracheostomy, gastrostomy/jejunostomy, wound care, and breathing treatments.
• Collect specimens for laboratory examination and conduct screening tests when requested.
• Administer medications, immunizations, and treatments; observe patients for adverse reactions.
• Make rounds and/or home visits as needed; work in various SSLC locations.
• Monitor individuals’ weight, diet, feedings, and vital signs.
• Identify signs and symptoms of illness, use nursing judgment to provide care, and initiate acute care plans.
• Assist in evaluating nursing intervention outcomes and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Instruct direct‑support professionals on post‑treatment monitoring using instruction sheets.
• Document and report treatments and observations promptly and accurately in the electronic or paper medical record.
• Prepare required reports.
• Assist LVNs and Certified Medication Aides (CMAs) as needed, offering recommendations and helping them acclimate to residents’ needs.
• Support LVNs in implementing protocols, procedures, and programs that enhance health and safety.
• Assist with follow‑up assessments, acute‑care‑plan interventions, injury reports, restraints, and medication variances.
• Support the Nurse Manager with controlled‑drug counts, medication counts, emergency checklist logs, refrigerator temperature logs, and glucose controls.
• Assist the Infection Control nurse in disease‑prevention measures and the Quality Assurance nurse in therapeutic nursing programs.
• Participate in facility Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement initiatives.
• Respond to emergency situations to ensure the safety of individuals and staff.
• Follow safety and infection‑control procedures of the SSLC.
• Provide educational and safety training to SSLC staff upon request.
• Treat HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including participation in disaster response, continuity‑of‑operations activation, and potential alternate shift or location assignments.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures, health‑care laws and regulations, medical diagnoses, accepted treatment programs, community health principles, and state/federal ICF‑IID rules.
• Understanding of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement, and Healthcare Guidelines.
• Familiarity with emergency procedures and equipment.
• Ability to interact appropriately with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their families, and staff.
• Ability to work independently, provide coaching to LVNs, CMAs, and direct‑support professionals, and make recommendations to SSLC leadership.
• Skills in patient care, record preparation and maintenance, interpretation of policies, regulations, and medical necessity; proficient use of computers, software, and electronic health‑record systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to present ideas clearly and concisely.
• Registrations / Licensure: Licensed Registered Nurse in Texas (or a compact state).
• Experience: Required – work experience as a practicing RN. Preferred – at least six (6) months of RN experience in a health agency, hospital, or health‑care facility.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Additional Information

• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks (including CANRS, Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, and LEIE).
• Males ages 18‑25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All SSLC employees are subject to random drug testing.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required; overtime, weekends, and holidays may be needed.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Active‑duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
• Reasonable accommodations are available during the hiring process for individuals with disabilities (ADA compliance).
• HHSC uses E‑Verify; I‑9 documentation must be presented on the first day of work.