Staff Nurse

About the Role

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) as a Nurse I (Staff Nurse) at Big Spring State Hospital. The position involves entry‑level to routine nursing work in an inpatient psychiatric setting, providing comprehensive assessments, developing individualized recovery plans, administering medications, and maintaining a therapeutic milieu under the supervision of a Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager.

Responsibilities

• Attend work regularly; may be assigned specific, rotating, extended, or overtime shifts.
• Perform comprehensive assessments of patients’ physical, behavioral, psychiatric, and social needs.
• Observe and document patient behavior and status; report findings to psychiatrists and recovery team members.
• Develop or contribute to individualized recovery plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide individual or group health teaching and coping strategies to patients and families.
• Utilize one‑to‑one counseling skills to help patients identify anxiety and develop coping strategies.
• Initiate and implement population‑specific nursing interventions based on standards of care.
• Administer medications and treatments as ordered; maintain medication administration records (MAR) and controlled‑drug records.
• Establish and monitor a safe therapeutic milieu.
• Train other staff in psychiatric nursing principles, unit routines, and milieu management.
• Initiate and monitor appropriate use of restraint or seclusion to ensure safety.
• Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation as needed, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of nursing techniques, medical diagnoses, treatment programs, and community health principles.
• Skills in patient care, use of computer software, and effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to provide patient care, prepare and maintain records, and work within a therapeutic environment.
• Valid Texas driver’s license (or obtain within 90 days of hire) if transporting patients; eligible driving record required.
• Pass fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks (CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, LEIE).
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy; vaccination required for certain diseases or mask use if not immunized for influenza.
• Male applicants aged 18‑25 must be registered with the Selective Service; all applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program or a four‑year college/university with major coursework in nursing.
• Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in Texas or a compact state, or holding a temporary permit pending licensure.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full‑time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time‑off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.
• Additional pay eligibility for evenings, nights, and weekends.

Pay

Salary range: $5,746.66 – $6,779.25 per month (pay frequency: monthly).

Schedule

Shift: Regular Weekend Day.
Additional shift options: Days (First), Evenings (Second), Nights (Third), Weekends.
Telework: Not eligible for telework.