Nurse II

Overview

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional

Title:

Nurse II

Job Title: Nurse II

Agency: Health & Human Services Commission

Department: Max Sec Psych  Nursing

Posting Number: 4968

Closing Date: 10/17/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Healthcare Support

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22

Salary Range: $6,579.41-$7,761.50

Shift: Regular Weekend Day

Additional Shift: Days (First);
Evenings (Second);
Nights (Third)

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 5%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility

Location:

Vernon State Hospital

Job Location City: VERNON

Job Location Address: 4730 COLLEGE DR

Other Locations:

MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people s lives? HHSC is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. The system comprises nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state-supported living centers.

The psychiatric hospitals provide for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with Joint Commission accreditation. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

• Under the direct supervision of the Nurse Administrator/Nurse Manager, observes, assesses, plans, intervenes and evaluates outcomes and documents all aspects of patient care.
• Possesses knowledge regarding the patient population to be served; may coordinate scheduling within assigned areas.
• Provides primary proactive management for the service area during the assigned shift with supervisory guidance.
• Supervises, counsels, and evaluates other nursing staff; collaborates with Nurse Coordinator, other Nurse Managers, and MH Supervisor/Specialist to ensure 24-hour continuity of care.
• Assumes duties of the Nurse Coordinator during absence and maintains flexible work schedule.
• Provides direct nursing care to individual patients as needed and communicates duties as determined by hospital administration.
• Participates in disaster response and/or COOP activations as required, which may include alternate shift patterns or locations.
• May be eligible for additional pay for evenings, nights, weekends, or work at maximum security locations.

• Attend work regularly and follow the assigned shift schedule, including rotating shifts, extended shifts, and overtime as needed.
• Assess health/mental status at admission/transfer and continuously plan and document therapeutic nursing care; perform CPR/Heimlich according to American Heart Association standards.
• Provide direction and coordination of staffing and patient care on assigned units; address performance issues and document interventions.
• Facilitate admissions/transfers by communicating with admissions staff and reviewing documentation to ensure appropriate status and triage as needed.
• Carry out medical staff orders and implement nursing interventions per standards and policies; disseminate information to unit staff.
• Provide patient teaching on medications, illness, and treatments; tailor education to age and cognitive levels.
• Implement safety precautions, rights restrictions, and restraint/seclusion procedures per policy to protect patients and uphold rights.
• Participate in abuse/neglect processes, ensure patient safety, and participate in Performance Improvement teams; manage nursing personnel utilization on units.
• Attend mandatory trainings and ongoing education appropriate to the patient population.
• Other duties as assigned, including involvement in disaster response/COOP as needed.

• Knowledge of American Nurses Association Nursing Standards; knowledge of departmental policies and procedures; knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act.
• Supervisory and management techniques; CPR, aggression management and restraint techniques; emergency care in medical/psychiatric emergencies.
• Ability to interact positively with patients, staff, families, and the public; ability to handle crisis calmly; ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of Texas (or state with reciprocity via the Nurse Licensure Compact).