Staff Nurse

Position Overview

Join Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) as a Staff Nurse (Nurse I) in the San Antonio State Hospital. The role supports psychiatric inpatient care under the supervision of the Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager. Full-time, monthly pay, regular night shift with additional night/day availability.

• Perform comprehensive assessments of patients’ nursing care needs including physical, behavioral, psychiatric, and social components.
• Develop and implement individualized recovery plans in collaboration with the recovery team.
• Administer medications and maintain medication administration records in accordance with facility policy.
• Observe and document patient behavior, status, and therapeutic milieu changes.
• Provide health teaching, coping strategies, and one-to-one counseling.
• Initiate and monitor appropriate restraints or seclusion.
• Train other staff on psychiatric nursing principles and unit routines.
• Collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, and other team members to ensure continuity of care.
• Participate in disaster response or continuity of operations (COOP) as needed, including possible alternate shift patterns.

• Attend work on a regular basis, comply with scheduled or rotating shifts as per agency leave policy.
• Perform patient assessments and document findings in the medical record.
• Contribute to development of individualized recovery plans.
• Provide health teaching and coping strategies.
• Administer medications and maintain records.
• Monitor the therapeutic milieu and ensure a safe environment.
• Provide training to staff on psychiatric nursing principles.
• Initiate and monitor restraints or seclusion.
• Participate in disaster response or COOP activation as required.

• Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of medical diagnoses and procedures.
• Knowledge of accepted medical treatment programs.
• Knowledge of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures.
• Skills in caring and treating patients.
• Skills in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to provide patient care.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in Texas, or a state that recognizes the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Or issued a temporary permit while awaiting license issuance.
• Valid Texas driver license or valid out‑of‑state license with a certified driving record, if transporting patients.

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program or a four‑year college/university with major coursework in nursing.
• Pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks.
• Minimum age 18 (21 for Waco Center for Youth applicants).
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures.
• Flexibility to work overtime and/or extended hours as required.

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full‑time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time‑off benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement.