State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Forensic Treatment Practical Nurse (35 Hour) (3989HN)

$31.87-$42.47 Hourly / $2,230.62-$2,972.80 BiWeekly /
$58,219.00-$77,590.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Whiting Forensic Hospital under established security conditions, this class is accountable for nursing care and developing and maintaining an effective therapeutic environment for patients.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a Forensic Head Nurse, or other nursing supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead lower level employees as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Develops and maintains therapeutic relationships with patients;
  • Effectively implements security regulations;
  • Actively participates in team patient care conferences;
  • Performs patient care duties such as feeding, bathing, dressing patients;
  • Observes, reports and records patient behaviors and appearance;
  • Assists doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of individuals;
  • Measures doses and administers medications including insulin injections;
  • Documents medications using appropriate forms;
  • Performs narcotic counts;
  • Checks and may administer intravenous medications;
  • Reports changes in individuals to doctors;
  • Ensures that restraints are applied correctly;
  • Transcribes doctors medication orders;
  • Prevents unauthorized movement of patients, visitors and personnel;
  • Performs housekeeping tasks, escorts patients and secures supplies and materials;
  • Assists in transfer of patients between secure units across facility;
  • Monitors and participates in patient management on units;
  • Takes vital signs including charting  temperatures, pulses and respirations;
  • Performs simple nursing treatments;
  • Monitors general individual needs including personal hygiene;
  • Reports on individual conditions and behavior;
  • Keeps the unit safe and healthy;
  • Administers enemas or suppositories;
  • Performs Foley catheterization care;
  • Orients individuals concerning medications and their use;
  • May perform emergency first aid;
  • May drive individuals to necessary appointments/outings;
  • May informally counsel patients as need arises;
  • May participate in group counseling sessions;
  • May participate in patient activities;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • practical nursing specialties and bedside care;
    • modern medical, therapeutic and psychiatric routines, methods and procedures;
    • psychiatric procedures and principles involved in care and treatment of the mentally ill;
    • various medications used for the care of individuals with mental illness or emotionally disturbed;
    • safe patient custody in a security treatment area;
    • infection control practices;
    • human behavior, behavioral manifestations of mental illness and principles involved in care and treatment of the mentally ill;
    • nutrition and diets;
    • medical and lab sciences;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral communication and written skills;
  • Ability to
    • keep records;
    • perform basic first aid procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut by the State Board of Examiners for Nursing and one (1) year of experience in the care of the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate will be made before persons are certified for permanent appointment. Candidates who do not have good character are not eligible for permanent employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients, may have significant exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from patients, and may be exposed to significant mental stress and other extremely disagreeable conditions.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(25)-Patient and Inmate Care

BARGAINING UNIT

(10)-HEALTH NONPROF (NP-6)

EEO

(3)-Technician

SALARY INFORMATION

HN 19

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

New Class (Established in accordance with Stipulated Agreement between OLR and DMHAS). Item No. 24-098

EFFECTIVE DATE

06/20/2024
CLASS: 3989HN; EST: 6/20/2024; REV: 6/26/2024;