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Job Description
***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***
Job Summary
The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is recruiting for a Nurse underfilling a Psychiatric Nurse 2 at Desert Willow Treatment Center (DWTC) located in Las Vegas, Nevada. DWTC is an inpatient psychiatric hospital that provides mental health treatment for children ages 12 to 17. This position has the authority and responsibility to ensure that safe and effective patient care is being provided; assures compliance with nursing standards, the Joint Commission accreditation standards, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance licensing standards, and DCFS policies. Incumbents shall possess a degree of knowledge and proficiency sufficient to perform work independently with little or no additional training. Work responsibilities include: Providing professional nursing care to severely emotionally disturbed (SED) children and adolescents; Planning, implementing, and evaluating the nursing care delivered to adolescent patients; Identifying patient mental and physical health care needs and make comprehensive clinical evaluations; Providing input and recommendations regarding nursing care and services; Initiate and carry out therapeutic, educational, social, and physical care activities; Administer medications as prescribed by attending psychiatrists and/or physicians and monitor patients for medication side effects and/or allergic reactions; Monitor patients for safety; Document patient observations and the effectiveness of planned program activities. Monitor the day-to-day work activities of direct care staff assigned to the unit. Will ensure DWTC maintains a safe, healthy, and therapeutic environment for our patients, and nursing care objectives are met in accordance with the nursing association professional standards of practice and consistent with DWTC policies. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Registered Nurses provide general or specialized professional nursing care in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act, under supervision of a higher-level nurse, physician, or Mid-Level Practitioner.
Essential Qualifications
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse; OR an Interim Permit issued by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
Job Duties
Coordinate health services and treatment; collaborate with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimum patient care; carry out therapeutic procedures which provide for the emotional and physical comfort of patients; identify patient health care needs utilizing professional nursing assessment skills; make comprehensive clinical observations and evaluations of health needs including subtle abnormalities and changes in condition; record and report indicative signs and symptoms of physical and mental condition.
Prepare nursing care plans by assessing patients psychological and physical condition and conferring with other health care professionals; evaluate needs and develop nursing diagnoses, plans for treatment, services and health education based on the present and predicted needs of the patient; identify immediate and long-term care goals; review and revise care plans as needed.
Administer medications intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, topically and orally as prescribed by a physician or designee as allowed in the practice setting; ensure correct time, dosage and route of administration; count controlled medications to ensure security; monitor patient for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patient to determine if medication is effective for prescribed treatment and document; if necessary, notify appropriate personnel of action taken.
Obtain approval from referral source for diagnostic tests, professional consultations and therapies; provide information for billing purposes and coordination of care.
Assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing; obtain samples for laboratory tests as ordered by a physician or designee; perform assigned laboratory tests; take timely, effective and proper measures to provide and maintain hygienic environments.
Provide emergency medical treatments required to stabilize the patient’s condition and prevent more serious complications pursuant to established policy, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
Document nurse progress notes in medical charts including patient’s health status, changes in condition, and medications administered; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; perform quality improvement activities such as auditing charts and compiling statistics; ensure applicable regulatory standards are met including documentation of the care delivery process.
Provide education to patients and their families related to good health habits, prescribed treatment, and medication; and provide health related education and training to staff.
Prepare and maintain medical treatment rooms, ensuring supplies are available and ready for use; order and stock medical and related supplies and equipment as needed.
Coordinate and/or participate in clinics; receive prior approval for billing purposes; schedule appointments; provide or arrange for transportation; conduct screening tests; give immunization injections; create and maintain associated records.
May delegate to other personnel direct care duties consistent with their licensure, certification and competency and as allowed in the practice setting.
Incumbents acquire skills and experience in performing the duties outlined above. Progression to the Community Health Nurse 1, Correctional Nurse 1, Psychiatric Nurse 1 or Registered Nurse 2 may occur upon meeting minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance and with the approval of the appointing authority.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
General knowledge of: application of the nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation; universal precautions and infection control techniques and procedures; medical terminology sufficient to understand doctor’s orders; documentation process; uses and effects of medications used in nursing; operation and use of medical equipment in the practice setting; nutrition and personal hygiene as applied to patient care; human growth and development; routine laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures.
Ability to: interview patients to elicit a health history, symptoms and/or complaints; clinically assess the basic health status of a patient; develop, implement and evaluate a nursing care plan; prepare and maintain medical records, charts and reports; follow detailed oral and written instructions; provide health education to individuals and families; provide emergency medical treatment as required; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, staff, patients and families; delegate appropriate assignments to subordinate staff.
Recruiter Contact Information: Victoria Sheehan - Torisheehan@admin.nv.gov
The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.
Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.
Benefits include:- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP) .
- Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
- Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
- Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
- Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) . Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication .
- Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program .
- No Nevada state income tax.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
- Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.
Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU) .
For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) .
*** State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.
The following are legal holidays:
January 1.............................................. New Year's Day
Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday
Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day
June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day
July 4.................................................... Independence Day
First Monday in September.............. Labor Day
Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day
November 11........................................ Veterans' Day
Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day
Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day
December 25........................................ Christmas Day
When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255
Closing Date/Time: 3/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific - Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP) .
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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STATE OF NEVADA
Show moreThe presence of Nevada's earliest inhabitants, beginning about 12,400 years ago, is marked by many petroglyphs and archaeological sites. Baskets, decoys, and ingenious traps are evidence of the resourcefulness of these early people in a harsh and arid environment.
European explorers traveled through Nevada in the early 19th century, but it was not until 1851 that the first settlements were established. An Act of Congress created the Territory of Nevada on March 2, 1861. James W. Nye of New York was appointed Nevada's first Territorial Governor by President Abraham Lincoln later that year. On October 31, 1864, President Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's admission to the Union as the 36th state. The State's first elected Governor, Henry Blasdel, took office on December 5, 1864.
Today, Nevada is the nation's seventh largest state in land area. Several hundred mountain ranges cross its landscape, many with elevations over 10,000 feet. In contrast, the State's lowest point (along the Colorado River) is only 470 feet above sea level. From majestic mountains to desert valleys, nature has endowed Nevada with diverse and unique ecosystems.
The Nevada Legislature has honored the State's natural resources and cultural heritage with a variety of State designations described below.
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