Nurse Practitioner - HOTT (Head of Treatment Team)

Title: Nurse Practitioner - HOTT (Head of Treatment Team)

State Role Title: RN III/Nurse Prct II

Hiring Range: starting at $128,524 (commensurate based on experience)

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Highlights

- Competitive salary starting at $128,524, salary commensurate based on experience.

- $10,000 will be added to the base pay for a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

- An additional $15,000 will be added to the base pay if the candidate holds an autonomous Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner license.

Location: Western State Hospital

103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are

Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview

Western State Hospital is seeking a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to serve as a Head of Treatment Team (HOTT). The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) provides comprehensive psychiatric care to patients on assigned units under the supervision of a psychiatrist. This role includes conducting psychiatric assessments, managing psychopharmacologic treatment, delivering psychotherapy, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure individualized, recovery-focused care. The PMHNP also participates in teaching, training, and hospital-wide initiatives to support quality improvement and patient safety.

Key Responsibilities

- Perform psychiatric assessments and diagnostic reassessments as needed.

- Conduct patient and family interviews and provide education.

- Manage psychopharmacologic treatment and indicated psychotherapies (individual, group, family).

- Obtain and document treatment consents.

- Deliver psychosocial rehabilitation interventions (education, skills training, group therapy).

- Complete all required documentation for direct-care services.

- Provide weekday and weekend Staff On-Duty coverage (7 AM–7 PM or 7 PM – 7 AM) as needed.

- Serve as Head of Treatment Team (HOTT) with multidisciplinary staff to develop and implement unit programs.

- Plan and implement psychiatric, medical, and behavioral rehabilitation treatment plans.

- Supervise milieu therapy and support staff working with families.

- Liaise with community mental health centers for discharge planning.

- Provide cross-coverage for other units when needed.

- Supervise psychiatric nurse practitioner students and review case formulations, treatment plans, and documentation for students.

- Participate in medical staff committees and hospital-wide service delivery initiatives.

- Report safety issues within 24 hours and maintain mandatory training.

- Engage in hospital and medical staff quality improvement activities.

Benefits Includes

Minimum Qualifications

- Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.

- Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

- Licensed Nurse Practitioner with Prescriptive Authority in Virginia.

- Active DEA registration prior to clinical privilege approval.

- Recent graduates may be considered pending NP license and certification.

- Knowledge of psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment at the NP level.

- Familiarity with laboratory evaluations and psychopharmacologic monitoring.

- Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Additional Considerations

- Bilingual proficiency.

- Veteran or veteran spouse.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (540) 332-8300 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: 540-332-8306

Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.