Director Of Nursing 1 (Office/On-site)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking to fill one full‑time (40 hours/week) Director Of Nursing 1 position (PCN 126733) at Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH).\r\n\r\n\r\nAgency-Only Opportunity\r\nIn order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above (DMHAS) for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.� You must specify your qualifications on your application.�\r\n\r\n\r\nNEW! We're excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit the Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSchedule\r\n\r\n• Full‑time, 40 hours per week\r\n• First shift\r\n• Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPosition Highlights\r\n\r\n\r\n• Lead onboarding and orientation for professional staff and front-line nursing teams\r\n• Assess organizational staffing and educational needs to guide development priorities\r\n• Plan, develop, and deliver in-house education or coordinate external experts\r\n• Provide individualized professional development support to nurses\r\n• Collaborate with department leaders to identify current and future learning needs\r\n\r\n• Hazardous Duty position\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug‑Free Workplace Policy.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSame Amazing Benefits You Already Have\r\n• Access to a comprehensive suite of state employee benefits\r\n• NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options\r\n• Opportunities for professional growth and career development\r\n• A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAbout Us�\r\nWhiting Forensic Hospital provides high-quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings.\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

\r\nFor Applicants with an Out‑of‑State RN License (Non‑Compact)\r\nIf you hold an RN license from another state and do not have a multistate/compact license, follow these steps to apply for a Connecticut RN license:\r\n\r\n\r\n• Review CT’s eligibility and documentation requirements for licensure by endorsement.\r\n• Submit the CT DPH online application (under “Public Health Practitioners,” select “Registered Nurse,” then “Start”).\r\n• Request electronic license verification through Nursys� by searching your license, selecting Connecticut, and completing the transaction. Nursys will send confirmation once your verification is available to DPH.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor Assistance in Applying\r\n• Review the Applicant Tips on How to Apply.\r\n• Visit the Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.\r\n\r\n\r\nBefore You Apply\r\n• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the posting by the closing date. These qualifications must be clearly specified on your application.\r\n• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees accurately. Institutions must be accredited. For foreign education, provide equivalency documentation from a recognized U.S. accrediting service.\r\n• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21‑69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. Additional documents (cover letter, transcripts, performance reviews, etc.) may be requested later.\r\n• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all locations and shifts you are willing to work. Failure to do so may limit your consideration for specific vacancies.\r\n• Timely Submission: All application materials must be submitted by the posting deadline. Revisions cannot be made after you submit. Late submissions are rarely accepted; applicants may request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov and providing documentation of incapacitating circumstances during the entire posting period.\r\n• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations may differ between branches of state government.\r\n• How to Apply: The only way to apply is through the “Apply” or “Apply Online” buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center posting.\r\n\r\n\r\nAfter You Apply\r\n• Check Your Status: Email providers may delay messages. Regularly review your Personal Status Board for updates, questionnaires, and tasks. You may also enable SMS notifications.\r\n• Referral Questions: You may be required to complete Referral Questions (RQs) after the posting closes. Access them through your email or your Personal Status Board.\r\n• Prepare for an Interview: Only candidates whose experience aligns most closely with the role will be interviewed. Review the Interview Preparation Guide to get ready.\r\n• Stay Connected: Monitor your Personal Status Board daily and check all email folders (including spam).\r\n• Future Vacancies: Applications to this recruitment may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.\r\n• Employment Rules: Positions are filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion, and merit rules. Employees are also bound by the State Code of Ethics (www.ct.gov/ethics).\r\n\r\n\r\nQuestions? We’re Here to Help\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide individual status updates. For recruitment updates, check your Personal Status Board or review the Frequently Asked Questions. For additional questions about the process, contact Ben Beaudry at Benjamin.Beaudry@ct.gov.\r\n

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.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

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.\r\nNote:� For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Supervising Nurse.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate in Nursing Education\r\n• Demonstrated leadership and managerial experience, with the ability to mentor and develop staff\r\n• Experience in curriculum planning, development, and instruction to support QAPI initiatives, regulatory requirements, and improved patient outcomes\r\n• Experience working with healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and policy implementation\r\n• Experience with Evidence‑Based Orientation platforms and management of CEU processes\r\n• Extensive experience working with healthcare education technologies such as Elsevier\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n\r\n\r\n Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.\r\n 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.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. \r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.\r\n\r\n\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n