State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Forensic Nurse (40 Hour) (0356FL)

$39.83-$52.75 Hourly / $3,186.25-$4,219.28 BiWeekly /
$83,161.00-$110,123.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Whiting Forensic Hospital this class is accountable for providing professional nursing services involving the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill offenders and violent and/or antisocial patients/clients who are unmanageable in other psychiatric or correctional settings.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a Forensic Head Nurse or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May supervise and/or lead paraprofessionals and other non-nursing staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Independently implements the nursing process with patients/clients including carrying out physicians' orders regarding diet, medication and treatment; 
  • Makes ward rounds and gives direct care; 
  • Takes and records vital signs; 
  • Changes dressings; 
  • Checks and distributes controlled drugs; 
  • Maintains availability of drugs and supplies; 
  • Observes adequacy of housekeeping and maintenance services; 
  • Performs first aid and alerts physicians to emergency conditions; 
  • Records observations of physical and physiological status and actions taken; 
  • Confers with nurses and physicians on other shifts regarding condition of patients/clients; 
  • Assesses patients/clients medical-psychosocial needs; 
  • Works collaboratively with members of an interdisciplinary team in planning direct care; 
  • Formulates and implements nursing care plans; 
  • Evaluates nursing actions taken and modifies and/or revises nursing interventions based on patient/client need and response; 
  • Teaches skills of self care to patients/clients; 
  • Protects human and civil rights of patients/clients and staff; 
  • Educates patients/clients and their families towards an awareness and understanding of health, illness and medication usage; 
  • Maintains records and reports; 
  • May participate in bathing and feeding of patients/clients; 
  • May assist in physical examinations and histories; 
  • May administer EKG and eye examinations; 
  • May assist in design and collection of data for research projects; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to apply professional nursing theory, practice and ethics; 
    • and ability to apply quality standards, procedures and protocols;
    • and ability to apply clinical therapeutic models of care with emphasis on interdisciplinary team approach;
    • nursing practices necessary to provide effective services to patients/clients in a maximum security environment; 
    • current medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects; 
    • medical, therapeutic and psychiatric nursing interventions and methods; 
    • and sensitivity to cultural and social-economic difference; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • act as a role model to health care staff by demonstrating and teaching professional behaviors; 
    • learn specialized patient/client care applicable to work assignment; 
    • listen and provide empathetic assistance to patients/clients and families in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments; 
    • develop therapeutic relationships with patients/clients and their caregivers; 
    • respond to emergencies; 
    • respond to and seek supervision; 
    • encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust and group identity to foster commitment and team work; 
    • analyze and evaluate proper care and treatment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license or temporary permit as a Registered Professional Nurse in Connecticut.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of the American Sign Language in certain designated positions.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for permanent appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients/clients, may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients/clients, and may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(22)-Nursing

BARGAINING UNIT

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

FL 22

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Forensic Nurse (40 Hour) in Salary Group FL 22 approved effective July 28, 2023. (Revised to modify content) Final No. 23-219

EFFECTIVE DATE

08/21/2023
CLASS: 0356FL; EST: 9/21/1990; REV: 8/22/2023;