State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Head Nurse (Correctional Facility) (35 Hour) (2293HJ)

$47.96-$63.33 Hourly / $3,356.94-$4,432.99 BiWeekly /
$87,616.00-$115,701.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Correction facility this class is accountable for the supervision and administration of an assigned nursing, mental health or related specialty unit including the direction and coordination of staff in order to ensure that the highest quality of nursing and/or mental health care is provided for the inmate population.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a Supervising Nurse (Correctional Facility) or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, inmate workers and/or other assigned staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

HEALTH SERVICES: 
  • Leads planning of care and implementation of nursing process; 
  • Coordinates nursing and/or mental health unit workflow; 
  • Determines priorities; 
  • Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; 
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures; 
  • Identifies staff development needs; 
  • Provides staff training and assistance; 
  • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; 
  • Ensures controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered; 
  • Leads professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in provision of inmate general and mental health care; 
  • Instructs staff regarding policies and procedures; 
  • Maintains and promotes standards of nursing; 
  • Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; 
  • May participate in interdisciplinary meetings; 
  • May make recommendations on policies or standards; 
  • May prepare reports and correspondence; 
  • May physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correction staff in emergencies; 
  • Performs related duties as required. 
INFECTION CONTROL: 
  • Leads planning and implementation of infection control services for correctional inmates and individuals re-entering the community in order to protect the health and safety of inmates, staff and the public; 
  • Assures quality performance in implementation of infection control program by contracted health care provider; 
  • Provides education and training to inmates including infection prevention and control; 
  • Monitors and ensures quality care through observation and evaluation; 
  • Maintains records and makes reports; 
  • May develop infection prevention curriculum and educational materials for inmate education; 
  • May physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correction staff in emergencies; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques and standards; 
    • medication, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects; 
  • Knowledge of
    • general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome, identification, health planning, implementation and re-evaluation; 
    • and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences; 
    • emergency and operating room nursing procedures and techniques; 
    • teaching, counseling and evaluation principles and techniques; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • act as a role model to health care staff; 
    • interview; 
    • develop curricula; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Professional Nurse.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit as a Registered Professional Nurse in Connecticut.
  • Candidates may be required to have experience working with adolescents or in women's health or mental health care. 
  • 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.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must possess general good health and retain sufficient stamina, agility, visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all duties of the class. Incumbents are required to pass a physical examination.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain inmates; may have some exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive inmates; 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

HJ 26

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 Head Nurse (Correctional Facility) (35 Hour) in salary group HJ 26 approved effective July 01, 2022. (Reviewed in accordance with CGS 5-200a. Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section.) Final No. 24-160

EFFECTIVE DATE

08/20/2024
CLASS: 2293HJ; EST: 2/20/1970; REV: 8/28/2024;