DSHS HCLA Nursing Consultant Institutional

DSHS HCLA Nursing Consultant Institutional

Salary

$103,692.00 - $169,980.00 Annually

Location

Yakima County - Union Gap, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2026-07277

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

HCLA

Opening Date

09/24/2026

Closing Date

10/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

• Description
• Benefits

Description

Protecting people in long-term care requires more than identifying concerns.

It requires careful investigation, sound nursing judgment, and consistent follow-through.

As a Nursing Consultant, youll conduct investigations and inspections for Region 1C, helping ensure long-term care providers meet applicable Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) requirements. This is a highly independent role. Youll manage a worklist with defined due dates, travel to assigned facilities, and work with residents, providers, the public, and your teammates to complete inspections and complaint investigations. Youll be responsible for moving your work forward while knowing when to turn to your peers or Field Manager for support.

The goal is timely, thorough work that helps ensure residents needs are being met and providers are operating within applicable requirements.

We encourage you to apply if youre an experienced registered nurse with a long-term care background who works well with both autonomy and accountability. You can organize competing deadlines, exercise objective judgment, and communicate professionally with people who may be navigating difficult circumstances. Youll likely thrive here if you value flexibility but dont equate independence with working alone.

This is a highly functioning, professional team where people rely on one another for training, information, and support.

Your first 90 days will focus on learning the inspection and investigation processes, applicable requirements, worklist expectations, and the tools youll use in the field and remotely. Youll build relationships with your Field Manager and teammates while developing the knowledge needed to manage assigned work with increasing independence.

By six months, success means youre functioning as a Nursing Consultant with little oversight, managing your workload and deadlines, and contributing as a dependable member of the team.

Still reading? Heres what the role involves.

Some of What Youll Do

• Conduct assigned inspections and complaint investigations for long-term care facilities in Region 1C.
• Manage a worklist of assignments and complete work according to established due dates.
• Initiate complaints and inspections on time and close work within policy timelines.
• Work with residents, providers, the public, and others to gather information and address assigned work.
• Evaluate institutional nursing services using professional nursing judgment.
• Apply applicable WAC and RCW requirements when conducting inspections and investigations.
• Maintain clear communication with teammates and your Field Manager about workload, training, and support needs.
• Use computer applications and virtual collaboration tools to complete and manage your work.

Who Should Apply

You must hold a valid Washington State license to practice as a registered nurse and qualify through one of the following pathways:

• An Associate Degree in Nursing or nursing diploma and five years of experience as an RN in a long-term care setting.

OR

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and three years of experience as an RN in a long-term care setting.

OR

• A Master of Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing and two years of RN experience in a long-term care setting.

Youll also need:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of institutional nursing services and the public health and professional nursing fields.
• Knowledge of community organizations and resources, effective teaching methods, organization and administration, supervision, and research and study methods
• The ability to evaluate institutional nursing services, exercise objective judgment, and support improved practices.
• The ability to communicate effectively with management, peers, residents, providers, and the public.
• The ability to work respectfully and professionally with diverse populations, including during difficult interactions or events.
• Computer skills sufficient to use and maintain the programs required for the position.
• The ability to perform the essential functions identified in the position description.

Work Environment

Most of your work will be performed remotely from home or at assigned facilities. Regular travel to and from facilities is part of the role. Occasional overnight travel is required.

When working remotely, youll stay connected with your team through online collaboration tools and work closely with peers and your Field Manager for guidance and support.

Performance is measured through annual evaluations, weekly one-on-one meetings with your Field Manager, worklist progress, completed inspections, compliant investigations, and meeting established timelines for opening and closing assigned work.

How to Apply

Submit:

• Your resume
• Your cover letter
• Three professional references

Questions?

Email recruiter Kris George at kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 07277.

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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov