Nurse (35 Hour)

Are you a self-starter? Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!  

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – North Region is seeking a talented and motivated candidate to join our team as a Nurse.     

What We Can Offer You:

• To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage;
• Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Paid time off including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• A culture that encourages work/life balance;
• Professional growth and development opportunities.    

You will discover the opportunity to:  

• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

Position Highlights:

• Tuesday – Saturday
• 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Regular days off – Sunday & Monday
• Full Time (35 hours per week)
• Location: East Hartford, CT
• However, must be flexible in order to meet the needs of the agency.

The Role:

• Provide ongoing training for LPN’s and non-licensed medication certified staff;  
• Provide clinical oversight of LPNs who provide direct nursing care to individuals with extensive medical and psychiatric needs;
• Communicate medical guidelines or recommendations distributed by the Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services and DDS;
• Act as a liaison nurse for any consumer admitted to a hospital or rehabilitation facility; Follow state and Federal regulation.  

About Us:

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS), partners with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.  

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.  

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.  

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.   

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

• Incumbents in this class will be required to travel.

• Incumbents in this class must possess a current license as a Registered Nurse in CT.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Jennifer Borenski, EEO Specialist 2 at (860) 418-6143 or Jennifer.Borenski@ct.gov.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker, at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

FOR THOSE WHO HOLD A RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:   

1.      Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;  

2.      Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’;  

3.      Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s :  Nursys® System.  To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select ‘SEARCH’.  Review the results and select the ‘Next’ button.  Check the box next to  ‘Connecticut’ and complete the transaction.   Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH.  Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys.  Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.  

In a state agency this class is accountable for providing a full range of professional nursing care.

Independently implements the nursing process with individuals including carrying out physicians orders regarding diet, medication and treatment; performs assessments; changes dressings; monitors and ensures quality care through observation and evaluation; reports on physiological and mental health status of individuals; documents nursing interventions on medical records; distributes and maintains records of controlled drugs and insures their security; maintains records and makes reports; makes decisions in routine cases; instructs individuals, staff and family members regarding treatments, nursing plans and related individual care issues directed towards an awareness and understanding of health/mental health issues; responds to emergencies; maintains availability of medications and supplies; ensures cleanliness of equipment and environment; may participate as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team in the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of individuals treatment or health/mental health care plans; may formulate and implement nursing care plans; may participate in outpatient clinics and assist in physical examinations; may administer routine tests; may conduct training; may delegate nursing tasks consistent with established protocols; may participate in psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation interventions; may physically restrain individuals; may provide related medical or mental health specialty services; may serve as Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional; performs related duties as required.

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

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

• Experience with basic nursing skills to include but not limited to: providing medication and nutrition via G-tube or J-tube, diabetic care, respiratory treatments, colostomy, cecostomy, and urostomy care, wound care, and catheterization.  
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.  
• Experience with infection control practices.  
• Experience using Microsoft Outlook applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license or temporary permit as a Registered Professional Nurse in Connecticut.
2. 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.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.