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Developmental Disability Nurse Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Entry-level Nurse - PRN (RN and LPN)

Mclean, VA · On-site

$28 - $38/hr

Current CPR/BLS * 1 year of nursing experience required; pediatric, intellectual/developmental disability, or neurological experience preferred. Minimum Qualifications: * Must have the ability to ...

Entry-level Nurse - PRN (RN and LPN)

Vienna, VA · On-site

$27.25 - $37.25/hr

Current CPR/BLS * 1 year of nursing experience required; pediatric, intellectual/developmental disability, or neurological experience preferred. Minimum Qualifications: * Must have the ability to ...

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Developmental Disability Nurse information

See Virginia salary details

$17

$38

$64

How much do developmental disability nurse jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental disability nurse in Virginia is $38.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.33 and $42.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a developmental disability nurse?

A Developmental Disability Nurse (DDN) is a specialized nurse who provides care for individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other cognitive or physical impairments. They work in various settings, including group homes, schools, clinics, and private residences, assisting patients with daily living activities, medical treatments, and emotional support. Their role includes assessing health needs, administering medications, coordinating care plans, and educating families and caregivers about managing disabilities. DDNs advocate for their patients' well-being, promoting independence and improving their quality of life. This nursing specialty requires patience, compassion, and strong communication skills to address the unique challenges of each individual.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a developmental disability nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Developmental Disability Nurse, you need specialized nursing knowledge in developmental disabilities, state licensure (RN or LPN), and experience in individualized care planning. Familiarity with assistive communication devices, documentation using electronic health records (EHRs), and protocols for behavioral or crisis intervention is often required. Compassion, patience, strong advocacy skills, and the ability to build trust quickly are vital soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial for providing effective, empathetic care and supporting individuals and families in diverse, challenging situations.

What are some common challenges faced by developmental disability nurses, and how are they addressed on the job?

Developmental Disability Nurses often encounter challenges such as managing complex behavioral needs, ensuring effective communication with non-verbal patients, and adapting care plans to suit individual abilities. To address these, nurses work closely with interdisciplinary teams that may include therapists, social workers, and family members, utilizing strategies such as behavior support plans and adaptive communication tools. Ongoing training, mentorship from experienced colleagues, and access to resources like crisis intervention protocols help nurses navigate these situations successfully. The supportive teamwork and structured processes in most settings ensure both patient safety and job satisfaction for nurses in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Developmental Disability Nurse jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Developmental Disability Nurse jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Developmental Disability Nurse jobs in Virginia? For Developmental Disability Nurse jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Developmental Disability Nurse jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Developmental Disability Nurse jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Developmental Disability Nurse jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Developmental Disability Nurse job openings:
Infographic showing various Developmental Disability Nurse job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 41% Full Time, and 59% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,632 per year, or $38.3 per hour.

Disability Support Coordinator

Arlington County

Arlington, VA • On-site

Other

PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Arlington County rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

217th of 842 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Disability Support Coordinator (Developmental Disability Specialist II)

The Department of Human Services, Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is seeking a Disability Support Coordinator (Developmental Disability Specialist II) to join our team. The Support Coordinator is responsible for providing direct service coordination for individuals with developmental disabilities that are receiving home and community-based services under the DD Medicaid Waiver. The incumbent in this position will ensure services are available and accessible for individuals to live and thrive in the Arlington community. As a Support Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for development of person-centered Individual Support Plans (ISPs) that direct outcomes across major life areas such as meaningful day, health and safety, employment, civic engagement, and community integration. The incumbent will join a collaborative team of Support Coordinators, program managers, and contract managers that facilitate person-centered planning for individuals supported by the program.

The Arlington County Department of Human Services is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring clients are approached, engaged and supported in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the individual's experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, race and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Responsibilities

Specific duties include:

  • Interviewing individuals, families, and other providers to assess the need for care;
  • Interpreting professional evaluations and developing Person-Centered Plans (PCPs);
  • Providing supportive counseling to individuals and their families including crisis interventions and discharge planning;
  • Conducting visits in the community at individual's homes, in residential settings, and at employment and day support sites;
  • Leading interdisciplinary teams to provide coordination of care;
  • Assuring quality service provision by maintaining compliance with State of Virginia Licensure Regulations and Medicaid/DD Waiver standards;
  • Serving as a liaison between individuals and their families and service providers, exploring resources for residential, habilitation, supported employment, and supported medical professionals;
  • Participating in Division, Departmental or Countywide committees and task forces; and
  • Documenting and tracking services provided in the electronic health record and state's Waiver Management System (WaMS).

The ideal candidate will be a team-player with a passion for serving individuals with Developmental Disabilities; has strong attention to detail and customer service skills; is well-organized; and is comfortable using an electronic health record.

Qualifications

Minimum:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Nursing, or other directly related field. Should include coursework in areas such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, physical disabilities, medical conditions, and/or psychometrics.
  • Some experience providing case management or other direct services to individuals with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disability (ID)

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

  • Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, or other directly related field of study
  • Licensure in Nursing (i.e. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN))
  • Case management experience in aging and/or disability services;
  • Experience with Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers; and/or
  • Bilingual: English/Spanish.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

CPR and first aid, as well as DHS' Crisis Prevention and Verbal Intervention training is required and will be provided post-employment, as will other local and state-mandated trainings.Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license, or the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a certified copy of the applicant's official driving record. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.Selected candidates must complete pre-hire federal background check and State of Virginia Central Registry Check.Candidate must pass pre-employment background check and State of Virginia Central Registry check.

Employment restrictions: To ensure that dual relationships are avoided and that employees who are also clients do not relate to their service provider as co-professionals, employees will not be hired by the County to provide or support services to the team or program in which they are current clients:

  • You cannot concurrently receive behavioral health services from Arlington County Community Service Board (CSB) programs while employed in an Arlington County CSB program (except for Crisis Intervention services).
  • At least 24 months must have passed between receipt of CSB services from Arlington County and employment in an Arlington County CSB program.

Work hours: Core business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 pm. on Monday - Friday; 40 hours per week with occasional evenings and weekends.

This recruitment may be used to fill similar future vacancies, of which; some may have Bilingual requirements. An assessment of oral Spanish proficiency will be required before a candidate can be appointed to the bilingual position (English/Spanish). The incumbent in a bilingual position would receive the language pay premium on all hours worked and on paid leave hours.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.

Required Skills:

  • Communication
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Knowledge
  • Mental and Physical Evaluations
  • Organizational Knowledge
  • Reading and Writing
  • Resource Management

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