Texas Health and Human Services is hiring: Nurse III/Nurse Manager in Austin

Overview

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) as a Nurse III/Nurse Manager in Austin, TX. Be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. HHSC offers a comprehensive benefits package including 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, opportunities for career advancement, and more.

Functional Title: Nurse III/Nurse Manager

Job Title: Nurse III/Nurse Manager

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: Adm AcuteCarePsych Nursing

Posting Number: 8063

Closing Date: 10/08/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Salary Range: $7,532.75 - $8,886.16

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Shift: Day

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 10%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location: Austin State Hospital

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 4110 GUADALUPE

Other Locations: See MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced (senior-level) nursing functions: planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating the provision of nursing care on a 24-hour basis; directs daily operations in all assigned areas.
• Directs daily operations and ensures Standards of Practice align with HHSC rules, The Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the Texas State Board of Nursing.
• Ensures a competent workforce; provides clinical direction and expertise; ensures care is based on patient characteristics such as age, development, diagnoses, and specialized needs.
• Participates in partnerships within the hospital and with external organizations to promote involvement and awareness.
• Participates in performance improvement activities; supervises staff; exercises independent judgement with limited supervision.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including disaster response/COOP activation and possible shift/location changes.
• Develops and supports nurse staffing plans for 24/7 coverage; participates in budget processes; supports recruitment and retention; monitors staffing resource allocation.
• Collaborates with leadership to design and deliver a multi-disciplinary system of care; assists in providing clinical rotations and academic linkages; participates in committees and external agency relationships.
• Supports quality improvement initiatives; ensures patient safety and reporting of events; supervises nursing practice and education programs.
• Promotes a positive work environment that fosters teamwork, professional practice, and adherence to standards.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Attends work regularly; schedule flexibility and overtime as required.
• Acts as spokesperson for professional nursing services; participates in performance improvement activities; monitors nursing performance indicators; conducts audits and reviews.
• Promotes an empowering nursing environment; develops and implements nursing policies; ensures 24/7 nursing coverage; reports trends and patterns.
• Provides clinical direction ensuring care matches patient developmental level and needs; implements trauma-informed care; aligns with regulatory standards.
• Serves as a resource on nursing practices and education; participates in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives; uses data to improve care.
• Oversees and reviews nursing service manuals; ensures patient rights protections; addresses adverse events and safety issues; maintains risk management processes.
• Supports nursing staffing plans and ensures timely availability of nursing staff; engages in budget planning and workforce optimization; supports recruitment and retention.
• Collaborates with leadership to deliver high-quality care; supports academic partnerships; participates in committees and external agency relations.

Qualifications

• Licensure: Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Texas, or in a party state recognizing reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Education / Experience: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in nursing or from an accredited nursing program and at least one year of RN experience in a recognized health facility; OR three (3) years of RN experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the Texas Nurse Practice Act; management theory; recovery model of care; training principles; group dynamics; nursing competencies; CPR/TIPS; and related curricula. Skills in patient care, interpersonal communication, documentation, and use of computer systems. Abilities to organize, supervise, instruct, budget, and communicate effectively in writing and verbally; interpret standards and regulations; intervene therapeutically with psychiatric patients.
• Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: Licensed RN in Texas or a state recognizing reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Additional Information

• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks (CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, LEIE). Males 18-25 must register with Selective Service if applicable.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years old; Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21.
• Flexibility in work hours; overtime and/or extended hours may be required.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy; vaccines may be required; may need to wear mask if not immunized against influenza per policy.
• HHSC participates in E-Verify; bring I-9 documentation on first day; may be required to pass background checks.
• Telework may be available per agency policies and supervisor discretion.
• Pre-employment checks and work eligibility dependent on program area.

Nearest Major Market: Austin