DSHS WSH Registered Nurse 4
Salary
$106,260.00 - $174,240.00 Annually
Location
Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type
Full Time - Permanent
Job Number
2026-05807
Department
Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division
BHHA
Opening Date
07/15/2026
Closing Date
7/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
DSHS WSH - Clinical Risk Management Director (Registered Nurse 4)
Join our team as the Clinical Risk Management Director (Registered Nurse 4) at Western State Hospitals Gage Center of Excellence in Lakewood, where you will lead the development and oversight of a comprehensive clinical risk management program that promotes patient safety, quality care, and regulatory compliance.
In this critical leadership role, you will proactively identify and mitigate clinical risks, oversee investigations of serious reportable events, guide Root Cause Analyses, and provide data-driven recommendations that strengthen patient care and organizational decision-making. Working collaboratively with executive leadership and multidisciplinary teams, you will foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and harm prevention to support safe, high-quality psychiatric care.
Some of what youll do:
Lead and oversee the Clinical Risk Management program, establishing policies, procedures, goals, and best practices that support patient safety and organizational priorities.
Direct proactive and reactive reviews of patient safety events, injuries, allegations of abuse or neglect, sentinel events, and other clinical risks to improve quality of care.
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments, analyze trends, and provide evidence-based recommendations to executive leadership to reduce risk and strengthen clinical outcomes.
Lead and facilitate Risk Management Committee meetings and coordinate Root Cause Analyses for serious reportable events, ensuring timely reporting and corrective action.
Collaborate with executive leadership, quality improvement, investigations, patient rights, and multidisciplinary clinical teams to ensure regulatory compliance and coordinated risk response.
Ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements, including reporting credible findings of abuse or neglect and Serious Reportable Events to the Washington State Department of Health.
Supervise, mentor, and develop Clinical Risk Management staff while overseeing onboarding, training, workload distribution, and standardized review processes.
Prepare and present comprehensive reports, data analyses, and performance metrics that inform leadership decisions, policy development, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:
Demonstrated experience leading Clinical Risk Management programs within healthcare or inpatient psychiatric settings.
Strong knowledge of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and other applicable regulatory requirements for inpatient psychiatric hospitals.
Proven leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills with the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams and drive organizational improvements.
Experience conducting medical record reviews, clinical investigations, Root Cause Analyses, and evaluating patient safety events.
Knowledge of clinical risk management principles, quality improvement methodologies, and evidence-based decision-making practices.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to present complex information to clinical staff and executive leadership.
Ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate clinical risk data and trends.
Who should apply?
We are searching for professionals who have:
AND
Note: Applicants must also possess a valid Washington State license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Substitutions:
A bachelors degree or higher in nursing may substitute for two (2) years of non-supervisory nursing experience.
One (1) year of full-time nursing instruction may substitute for one (1) year of supervisory experience.
Additional information:
Work schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
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.
About Western State Hospital
Located in Lakewood, Washington, Western State Hospital is one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in the state, providing inpatient mental health treatment for individuals with serious or long-term psychiatric conditions. Established in 1871, the hospital has a long history of serving Washington communities by offering comprehensive psychiatric care, treatment, and rehabilitation services. As part of the Department of Social and Health Services, Western State Hospital plays a vital role in helping patients stabilize, recover, and reintegrate into the community whenever possible. Our dedicated healthcare professionals work in a collaborative environment to provide compassionate, evidence-based care, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Ready to start a rewarding career? Apply today!
Along with your application, please include:
An updated resume
Three professional references with contact information
Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at ricky.luna@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #05807.
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 a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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 drivers 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.
E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
01
Have you graduated from an accredited school of professional nursing?
02
Please provide your current Washington State Registered Nurse (RN) license/credential number. If you do not currently hold a Washington State RN license, please enter "N/A."
03
How many years of professional nursing experience do you have?
04
How many years of experience do you have serving in a lead capacity over other nursing personnel?
05
What experience do you have facilitating and/or participating in an RCA (Root Cause Analysis)?
Required Question
Employer State of Washington
Address View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Website http://www.careers.wa.gov