STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director Of Nursing 1

Office/On-site

Recruitment #231128-2751MP-001

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Introduction



Looking for an exciting opportunity to be a leader in nursing care?
Join us and help drive positive change in our forensic hospital!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Director of Nursing 1 (PCN 116575) to join our team. This position will help lead our nursing services within Whiting Max Services within Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH), a maximum security forensic psychiatric hospital. This is a hazardous duty position.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Flexible Schedule including Weekend Days
  • Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • Work Shift: Flexible Hours, including work between First and Second Shift
  • Location: Whiting Forensic Hospital, Middletown, CT
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive comprehensive benefits plan that includes:
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D
  • Generous paid time off, include 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Retirement healthcare offerings
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
  • A healthy work/life balance!
You'd be able 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.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
  • Assists in the review of Safety policies and procedures. Oversees the Emergency Preparedness plans; Acts as the liaison with governmental, healthcare, and public safety departments and agencies.
  • Responsible for Interim Life Safety Measures (ILSM) evaluation and documentation of compliance for all conditions that pose a risk to the safety of our employees, patients, and visitors. Purchases personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment as necessary. Coordinates and supervises other safety programs as assigned; serves as technical consultant to administration, clinicians, staff and researchers regarding environmental safety management issues. Supervises the investigation of incidents and exposures.
  • Performs process improvement planning data gathering and analysis activities to ensure optimum safety and operational effectiveness. Responsible for routine recognition, evaluation and control of safety and health hazards in the workplace.
  • Responsible for the effective operation of the fire alarm and fire suppression systems; Schedules testing for dedicated fire suppression systems and evaluates their reliability in conjunction with our campus landlord and as contact and liaison with the Middletown South Fire Chief and State Fire Marshal. Oversees the safety programs including periodic fire and disaster drills.
  • Assists Infection Prevention with the development of Environmental safety plans (ESPs) for proposed construction activities. Monitoring contractor compliance with established ESP's; Maintain Infection Prevention APIC certification in Long Term Care as required by the Department of Public Health
  • Works with both Clinical and non-clinical staff to develop contingency plans. Performs risk analysis to identify points of vulnerability and ensures the appropriate use of mitigation efforts; Coordinates and documents emergency management drills using HSEEP (Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program); Trains all Emergency Operations Team members in emergency management practices (ex ICS and NIMS Courses)
  • Performs Environment of Care (EOC) Rounds of all areas, Clinical Units and non clinical areas as required. Identify potential safety problems, suggest corrective action, ensure data entry into the EOC database and monitor and ensure compliance through follow up with the Facility Housekeeping and  (Landlord) Maintenance Departments and   . Summarizes results of environmental rounds and resolutions, and present to the Governing Body quarterly; Conducts an annual review, evaluation and update of the WFH Safety Management Plans. Presents monthly reports to, and Co-Chairs the Hospital's Environment Of Care Committee ensuring completion of both meeting agendas and minutes
  • Oversees, and performs, respiratory fit testing on all shifts, lockout/tag out for BioMedical/ Medical Equipment, management of Storekeeper, PPE stock, patient storage areas and associated data entry in the central database for all these areas.
  • Assumes responsibility for all required documentation and policies related to life safety and Environment of Care. Keeps abreast of new regulations and proposed changes related to the healthcare field and proactively prepares to meet any new standards. Involved in inspections and pre-planning for regulatory agencies.
HEAR FROM OUR OWN STAFF:

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

Whiting Forensic Hospital specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds. Services are provided to individuals who are admitted under the following categories: Psychiatric Security Review Board commitment, Criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, Civil commitment (voluntary or involuntary) and Transfer from the Department of Correction (during period of incarceration or at end of sentence). Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

FOR THOSE WHO HOLD AN 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.
To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • 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.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
  • 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. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, 860-924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans Affairs this class is accountable for directing nursing services or other clinical services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Directs or assists with direction of staff and operation of nursing/clinical department; 
  • Directs or assists with planning and managing of nursing/clinical activities;
  • Develops or assists with formulation of program goals and objectives;
  • Develops or assists in development of related policy incorporating current nursing/clinical research and professionally recognized standards;
  • Develops or assists in development and implementation of plans for care;
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
  • Evaluates staff;
  • Prepares or assists in preparation of budget;
  • Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of department who might impact on program activities;
  • Makes rounds to determine quality of nursing care;
  • Assures optimal quality of care is provided in a safe environment;
  • Develops and/or implements effective ongoing programs to measure, assess and improve quality of nursing care, treatment and services delivered to patients;
  • Oversees programming for facility personnel to improve knowledge and practices of infection control;
  • Develops productive work teams; intervenes in crisis situations and investigates all unusual incidents;
  • Protects human and civil rights of patients and/or clients and staff;
  • Compiles data and prepares periodic reports;
  • Leads and participates in meetings;
  • Responsible for coordinating and providing twenty-four hour nursing coverage for facility or assigned unit(s);
  • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • May provide direct patient and/or client care;
  • May speak on behalf of nursing/clinical services;
  • May oversee other disciplines including but not limited to pharmacy, respiratory therapy or social work;
  • May participate in strategic planning;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of nursing principles and practices in appropriate specialty;
  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
    • and ability to develop strategic plans;
    • behavioral health nursing;
    • nursing administration;
    • interviewing and counseling techniques;
    • principles and practices of infection control related to infections and preventable diseases;
    • current developments in field of nursing including current complexities of the healthcare industry;
    • trend variance analysis;
    • governmental accounting and budgeting;
    • marketing;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a health care organization and/or facility or hospital nursing.

Note:  For state employees, this experience is interpreted at the level of a Supervising Nurse.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license as a registered professional nurse in Connecticut.
  • Incumbents in this class serving in the capacity of the Nurse Executive are required to possess a master's degree in nursing, social or behavioral science, public health administration, health care administration, hospital administration or a related field.
  • 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.

Conclusion

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.

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.




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