Registered Nurse Trainee

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. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. 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 : Registered Nurse Trainee

Job Title : Registered Nurse Trainee

Agency : Health & Human Services Comm

Department : Reserved SH Position Pool

Posting Number : 3708

Closing Date : 05 / 29 / 2025

Posting Audience : Internal and External

Occupational Category : Healthcare Support

Salary Group : TEXAS-E-T06

Salary Range : $600.00 - $2,446.67

Shift : 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 : Nonexempt

Facility Location : Big Spring State Hospital

Job Location City : BIG SPRING

Job Location Address : 1901 N HIGHWAY 87

Other Locations : Big Spring

MOS Codes :

68C, 66N / P / W, 290X, 46FX, 46NX, 46SX

Brief Job Description :

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? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.

Big Spring State Hospital's (BSSH) Nursing Stipend Educational Program enables the selected employee to attend Nursing School on a full-time basis. The employee may choose to work at our hospital every other weekend while attending all required nursing classes and maintaining passing grades in order to graduate as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Or the employee may opt to attend Nursing School on a full- time basis and not work at our hospital while attending school.

The selected employee will honor our contract and work for the hospital as outlined in said contract. The selected employee will supply grade point average each semester and report any problems with grades to the Stipend department.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and / or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and / or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and / or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs) :

Working Stipend Student : Attends Nursing school on a full-time basis and work at the hospital every other weekend.

Non-Working Stipend Student : Attends Nursing school on a full-time basis and opt to not work at our hospital while attending school.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) :

Working Stipend Student :

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and / or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Ability to participate in Psychiatric rehabilitation as assigned by the RN to create a social learning environment for the patients served.

Ability to promptly and effectively engage patients in therapeutic interactions, assisting them to meet the objectives as outlined in their individual treatment and / or safety plans.

Ability to serve as a liaison to the Treatment Team, providing on-going, verbal and written communication concerning patient's progress or lack of thereof, to individualized goals.

Ability to actively promote both patient and staff safety through continuous monitoring of the environment and active engagement of patients, to minimize unsafe situations and injuries.

Knowledge of, and the ability to apply, the following concepts : a) Primary Prevention, b) Secondary Prevention, and c) Tertiary Prevention, in order to minimize events that lead to restrictive interventions.

Skilled in the use of crisis intervention by providing verbal de-escalation, and restrictive interventions only as a last resort to ensure the safety of the patient, or others.

Ability to develop and maintain job-related skills that ensure appropriate interactions and ability to provide quality patient care.

Ability to assist licensed nurses in preparing patients for medication administration and / or treatment by obtaining routine vital signs, the identification of patients.

Ability to perform clerical duties / data entry as assigned, to assist in the provision of continuity of care.

Ability to perform housekeeping duties in the absence of housekeeping staff, or as requested to promote a safe and clean environment.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and / or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and / or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and / or location.

Non-working stipend students :

Ability to attend classes as scheduled and present transcripts to the Stipend office each semester.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications :

None

Initial Screening Criteria :

At least 6 continuous months of employment at BSSH.

Additional Information :

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse / Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals / Entities. Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and / or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Only current Big Spring State Hospital employees need apply.

Additional requirements include :

1. Candidate has been rated competent or better in the last rating period.

2. Candidate has not been placed on any performance improvement or disciplinary action within one year of request.

3. Candidate has at least 48 hours accrued sick time (request for exceptions will be reviewed by the committee).

4. Candidate has completed all pre-requisites; and

5. Candidate has submitted an application to the Nursing Education Committee through the Assistant Chief Nurse Executive-Operations for stipend assistance into a LVN program or LVN to RN accelerated program or ADN program. The application should include a letter of acceptance into an LVN program, LVN to RN Accelerated Program or ADN program, an original and sealed transcript of records, a copy of most current performance evaluation, a copy of most current timesheet, and two letters of recommendation from instructors / or other professionals stating the applicant is expected to successfully complete the program.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans :

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations :

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility :

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form