SeattleKR Job Analysis
DSHS ESH Registered Nurse 2
Key Skills and Qualifications
Technical Skills
Soft Skills
Qualifications
Physical Requirements
No specific physical requirements mentioned in the job description.
Sample Interview Questions and Answers
Question 1: Describe a specific situation where you had to de-escalate a high-risk behavioral health crisis. How did you apply trauma-informed principles and communication strategies to ensure patient safety and promote recovery?
Question 2: How would you develop a comprehensive care plan for a patient with complex behavioral health needs, ensuring alignment with person-centered care and long-term recovery goals?
Question 3: Explain how you would handle a situation where a patient’s behavior escalated during a group therapy session, and how you would communicate with the team to ensure coordinated care.
Original Job Description
Description
DSHS ESH Registered Nurse 2
Eastern State Hospital (ESH) is growing, and we’re looking for Registered Nurses! As part of our behavioral health team, you’ll work alongside dedicated professionals who are committed to person-centered care, trauma-informed practices, and long-term recovery.
Located in Medical Lake, Washington, Eastern State Hospital serves individuals with complex behavioral health needs in a secure, therapeutic environment. Your nursing expertise will be critical in stabilizing individuals, improving their health, and supporting their journey toward community reintegration. If you’re a nurse who thrives on collaboration, values compassion, and wants to make every shift count, we’d love to hear from you.
Please note: We are offering full-time, part-time, all shifts, and on-call. On Call employees are expected to work a minimum of 24 hours per week, all weekends and all holidays. We will consider two 12 hour shifts per week depending on business needs.
Evening and Night shifts may include a $1.50 per hour shift differential, $2.50 per hour shift premium and additional $4.00 per hour for hours worked Friday Midnight through Sunday Midnight.
Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
Want to know more about Eastern State Hospital? Click on the video below to meet staff, take a virtual tour, and explore your career.
Some of what you'll do:
- Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of patient care
 - Educate patients' on social skills, functional skill development, and medications
 - Monitor patients' behavior and if needed, de-escalate high-risk situations
 - Participate in the management of psychiatric and medical emergencies
 - Assess and evaluate patients who have behavioral health issues and chart significant changes in the patient's condition
 - Administer medications and treatments
 - Produce care plans and risk assessments for your patients
 
We are most interested in applicants who meet the following qualifications:
- Valid Washington State license or compact RN license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Washington.
 - Must have graduated from an accredited school of professional nursing and have at least one year of professional nursing experience or college level nursing education.
 
Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:
- Clinical judgment – You make sound decisions based on assessment findings and treatment goals
 - Communication – You clearly share information with patients, peers, and health care providers to support effective care
 - De-escalation skills – You respond calmly and professionally during high-stress or crisis situations
 - Trauma-informed mindset – You recognize how trauma affects behavior and tailor your approach accordingly
 - Cultural humility – You support equity and inclusion by acknowledging and respecting individual lived experiences
 - Teamwork – You contribute to a collaborative and supportive treatment culture
 
Questions? Email the recruiter at morgan.daggi@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 07641.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs, or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
 
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