Director of Nursing DON - Acute Inpatient Mental Health 264
Listed compensation
$144k-$165k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Director of Nursing (DON) – Behavioral Health
Shelton, Washington
Telecare Corporation – Shelton Evaluation & Treatment Center (E&T) #264 Full-Time, Salaried | 100% In-Person
Lead Nursing Excellence. Build Strong Teams. Make an Impact.
Telecare is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) to lead nursing services at our Shelton Evaluation & Treatment Center (E&T) #264 in Shelton, Washington.
Shelton E&T is an inpatient behavioral health program serving adults experiencing acute psychiatric needs who require a secure, structured setting for evaluation, stabilization, treatment, and recovery support.
This is a highly visible, onsite leadership role for a nursing leader who enjoys being connected to the day-to-day operations of a program, developing staff, and partnering closely with an interdisciplinary leadership team.
The DON works alongside the Administrator, Clinical Director, medical providers, and regional leadership to ensure safe, high-quality, recovery-focused care while building a strong and stable nursing team.
The DON also participates in the Administrator-On-Call (AOC) rotation, sharing after-hours leadership responsibilities with other program leaders.
Compensation
Realistic starting salary: $144,112.18 – $165,000.00 annually, based on relevant experience above minimum qualifications and internal equity.
Full salary range: $144,112.18 – $211,929.59
Telecare applies geographic differentials to its pay ranges. The pay range assigned to this role will be based on the geographic location from which the role is performed. Starting pay is commensurate with relevant experience above the minimum requirements.
Schedule
- Full-Time, Salaried, 40 hours per week
- Primarily Monday–Friday, Day Shift
- 100% in-person; no remote or hybrid option
- Participation in the Administrator-On-Call (AOC) rotation
- Weekend, overnight, or additional onsite leadership support may occasionally be required based on program needs
Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience pathways:
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with four (4) years of nursing experience, including two years of psychiatric nursing experience and two years of supervisory experience
OR
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or a related field with two years of psychiatric nursing experience and one year of supervisory experience
Additionally
- At least one year of nursing supervision experience within the last five years
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of operation
- CPR, BLS through the American Heart Association, and CPI hands-on certification by start date
- Must successfully complete all post-offer requirements, including applicable physical examination, TB testing, and background screening
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and automobile insurance when driving is required for the position
Position Summary
The Director of Nursing provides leadership and oversight for all nursing services within Shelton E&T.
This role is responsible for nursing operations, staffing, clinical quality, regulatory compliance, medication management, infection prevention, and the ongoing development and performance of the nursing team.
The DON serves as a key member of the program leadership team and works collaboratively across clinical and operational disciplines to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment while ensuring nursing practices support Telecare’s recovery-focused model of care.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, organize, and oversee nursing services and day-to-day clinical nursing operations
- Recruit, develop, coach, engage, and retain a strong nursing team
- Maintain clear nursing standards, policies, procedures, and performance expectations
- Oversee nursing staffing and workforce planning to support safe program operations
- Partner closely with the Administrator, Clinical Director, medical team, and regional leadership
- Support a culture of accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement
- Ensure compliance with applicable state, federal, and local regulatory
requirements
- Oversee medication management, infection prevention, and nursing quality standards
- Maintain strong QA/QI processes focused on member safety and clinical outcomes
- Manage departmental resources and budgets responsibly
- Participate in committees related to nursing practice, clinical operations, quality, and safety
- Support crisis intervention and member care needs within the inpatient behavioral health setting
- Participate in the Administrator-On-Call rotation and remain reachable and responsive during assigned coverage
- Provide support to other Telecare programs when needed, which may include occasional travel
What We’RE Looking For
We are looking for a nursing leader who brings:
- Strong clinical judgment and critical-thinking skills
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain nursing teams
- A hands-on, visible leadership style
- Excellent communication and interdisciplinary partnership skills
- Confidence operating in a fast-paced inpatient behavioral health environment
- Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and process-improvement capabilities
- Ability to balance clinical quality, staffing needs, employee development, and operational priorities
- Adaptability, accountability, and strong follow-through
- Commitment to recovery-focused and trauma-informed behavioral healthcare
Benefits
Telecare offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Nine paid holidays
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- Free CEUs and applicable BBS supervision
- Leadership development and mentorship opportunities
- Tuition discounts and scholarship opportunities
Learn More About Telecare Benefits
https://www.telecarecorp.com/benefits [https://www.telecarecorp.com/benefits]
Telecare is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE AA M/F/V/Disability).
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Director of Nursing DON - Acute Inpatient Mental Health 264 at Telecare a 6.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Registered Nurse roles — ranked against 5,578 active Registered Nurse roles listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
Psychiatric Nursing — Registered Nurse Career Context
Of the 40 active Nursing Leadership listings this role was benchmarked against, 45% are remote, 63% have no call, 78% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$155k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $144k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Location & Logistics
Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$155k midpoint, that is roughly $6k–$11k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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