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Developmental Disability Nursing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Harris Center

Staff Nurse

Houston, TX · On-site

As part of our interdisciplinary team, you'll provide nursing care to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities in various settings. Embrace creativity, utilize the nursing process, and ...

The Harris Center

Staff Nurse

Houston, TX · On-site

As part of our interdisciplinary team, you'll provide nursing care to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities in various settings. Embrace creativity, utilize the nursing process, and ...

The Harris Center

Staff Nurse

Houston, TX · On-site

As part of our interdisciplinary team, you'll provide nursing care to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities in various settings. Embrace creativity, utilize the nursing process, and ...

The Harris Center

Staff Nurse (Part-time)

Houston, TX · On-site

As part of our interdisciplinary team, you'll provide nursing care to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities in various settings. Embrace creativity, utilize the nursing process, and ...

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How much do developmental disability nursing jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for developmental disability nursing in the United States is $90,935.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $103,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do developmental disability nurses do?

Developmental disability nurses provide healthcare and support to individuals with developmental disabilities, helping them manage medical needs, improve daily living skills, and promote independence. They often work in community settings, clinics, or residential facilities, and may coordinate with families and other healthcare professionals. Certification in nursing and specialized training in developmental disabilities are typically required.

What is the most common developmental disability?

The most common developmental disability is intellectual disability, which affects cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior. Developmental nurses often work with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, another prevalent condition, requiring specialized skills and certifications. Early intervention and support are key components of care for these disabilities.

How to make $300,000 as a nurse?

Developmental disability nursing can reach higher salaries through advanced certifications, specialized skills, and experience in leadership or management roles. Working in high-demand areas, obtaining additional education, and pursuing overtime or agency work can also increase earning potential to reach or exceed $300,000 annually.

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 a nursing degree, RN licensure, and specialized knowledge in caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Familiarity with assistive technologies, individualized care planning software, and certifications such as the Developmental Disabilities Nursing Certification (CDDN) are often required. Compassion, patience, strong communication, and advocacy skills help nurses build trust and support both patients and their families. These competencies are crucial for providing tailored care, promoting patient independence, and ensuring well-being in this specialized field.

How to make 150,000 as a nurse?

Developmental Disability Nursing can reach a $150,000 salary with advanced experience, specialized certifications, and working in high-paying settings such as private facilities or administrative roles. Increasing your education level, gaining expertise in complex care, and taking on leadership positions can also boost earning potential.

What are some common challenges faced by nurses working in developmental disability settings, and how can they be addressed?

Nurses in developmental disability settings often encounter challenges such as communication barriers with nonverbal patients, managing complex medical and behavioral needs, and ensuring patient safety while promoting independence. Building strong, trusting relationships with patients, collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams (such as therapists and caregivers), and utilizing adaptive communication tools can help address these challenges. Ongoing training in behavioral support techniques and person-centered care is also essential for providing high-quality, compassionate care in this field.

What is developmental disability nursing?

Developmental disability nursing is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on providing care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. Nurses in this field assess health needs, develop care plans, administer medications, and help patients maximize their independence and quality of life. They also work closely with families, educators, and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic care. This nursing specialty requires compassion, patience, and specialized training to address the unique challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities.

What is the difference between Developmental Disability Nursing vs Pediatric Nursing?

AspectDevelopmental Disability NursingPediatric Nursing
Required CredentialsRN license, specialized training in developmental disabilitiesRN license, pediatric care certification
Work EnvironmentCommunity clinics, residential facilities, schoolsHospitals, pediatric clinics, schools
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers serving individuals with developmental disabilitiesHospitals, pediatric practices, schools
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Developmental Disability Nursing focuses on caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, often in community or residential settings, requiring specialized training. Pediatric Nursing centers on health care for children in hospitals or clinics. While both roles require RN licensure, their work environments and patient populations differ significantly.

More about Developmental Disability Nursing jobs
What cities are hiring for Developmental Disability Nursing jobs? Cities with the most Developmental Disability Nursing job openings:
What states have the most Developmental Disability Nursing jobs? States with the most job openings for Developmental Disability Nursing jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Developmental Disability Nursing jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Developmental Disability Nursing jobs are:
Developmental Disability Nursing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Developmental Disability Nursing job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,935 per year, or $43.7 per hour.
Staff Nurse

Staff Nurse

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD

Houston, TX • On-site

Part-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Join The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD as a Staff Nurse, RN and unleash your innovative spirit! As part of our interdisciplinary team, you'll provide nursing care to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities in various settings. Embrace creativity, utilize the nursing process, and contribute to transforming care within the standards of practice. The nursing process to plan, implement, document and evaluate nursing care provided under the requirements of the Texas Nurse Practice Act within the Standards of Nursing Practice Join us in pioneering a new era of nursing at The Harris Center.
Your Role in Action:
  • Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
  • Utilizes a five-step systematic process (nursing process) to deliver consumer services. This process includes assessment, analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation.
  • Demonstrates decision making that is clinically sound, systematic, timely, well researched and reflects awareness of impact and governed by state and Agency practices .
  • Performs technical nursing skills within the scope of practice for a RN and in accordance with Agency policies and procedures for individual and/or multiple consumer assignments. Performs diagnostic tests, administers medications, sets up equipment and applies therapeutic treatments.
  • Documents relevant information regarding nursing care in consumer records, charts and reports. Documents observations of consumer signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors and response to medications and treatments. Complies with established Agency policies/procedures, accrediting/regulatory bodies and performance contract documentation requirements.
  • Informs, explains and educates consumers and family members regarding medications, relevant treatment information, and disease processes. Provides pertinent health information at an appropriate level and includes meaningful literature to support understanding.
  • Provides nursing care with the focus on consumer, environmental, and technical safety.
  • Assigns specific tasks, activities and functions and maintains appropriate supervision of other RNs, LVN's and unlicensed personnel in Agency settings for consumers with a variety of health care needs in accordance with program design and structure.
  • Demonstrates behaviors that promote development of positive outcomes in relation to the practice of professional nursing.
  • Utilizes a problem-solving approach as the basis for decision making in practice, including reporting relevant information to other members of the health care team or supervising Registered Nurse/Physician.
  • Provides to other members of the health care team, health education and information on disease processes and medications in order to meet/address consumer health care needs.
  • Performs related work as assigned. Adapts to changing work requirements.
  • Complies with Agency policies and procedures.

What qualifications you will need:
Education:
  • Associate's degree Nurse (ADN) from two-year College
  • Nursing Degree required. RN license required.
  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) from four-year College or university

Experience:
  • Minimum 1 year at entry level to 2 years nursing experience (not including clinical hours required for education). For RNs with at least 2 years of experience, a minimum of at least 1 year of mental health/behavioral health/intellectual/disability nursing experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :
  • Knowledge of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and Standards of Nursing Practice.
  • Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
  • Basic knowledge of Pharmacology.
  • Knowledge of therapeutic communication.
  • Understanding of Standard Precautions and infection control procedures for dealing with sharp instruments, needles, blood and body fluids exposure.
  • Understanding of good body mechanics to avoid injury.
  • Effective communication skills (verbal and written). Effective data collection skills.
  • Positive interpersonal skills.
  • Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize.
  • Demonstrates initiative and self-direction.
  • Able to coordinate well with others and work effectively as a team member.
  • Able to use all related medical equipment, machines and monitors.
  • Able to execute standard word processing on computer. Demonstrates strong time management skills.
  • Able to complete task and assignments independently.
  • Able to establish therapeutic relationships with chronically mentally ill patients and/or developmentally disabled consumers.
  • Demonstrates clinically sound decision making.

About us:
The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.
As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.
By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.
What else you should know:
  • Position #50352
  • Your workplace: Based at 1502 Ben Taub
  • Schedule: Day Shift (0645am to 7:15pm) working 4 x 12hr shifts per pay period, rotating weekends and holidays
  • Your flexibility, our commitment: This role requires adaptability with flexible scheduling as well as provides ethical nursing care in a confidential, caring, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner.
  • The environment: Be prepared to navigate challenging situations - you may occasionally encounter unfavorable conditions.
  • Your interactions: Engage with a diverse range of individuals, some of whom may be emotional, physically hostile, agitated or uncooperative. This is an opportunity to employ your strong interpersonal skills and patience to make a real impact in their lives

What we have to offer:
The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching - a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.
Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.
Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

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