Forensic Nurse (Multiple Openings) (Office/On-site)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLooking for an exciting opportunity in Nursing?\r\nJoin us and be part of a revolutionary team shaping the future!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhiting Forensic Hospital (WFH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking qualified individuals to join our teams as Forensic Nurses. These positions will provide nursing services throughout all of our units in Middletown. Find out more information on this great opportunity below!\r\n\r\n\r\nPOSITION HIGHLIGHTS: \r\n\r\n\r\n Location: 70 O'Brien Drive, Middletown, CT\r\n Full-time, 40 hours/week\r\n This recruitment is for all units, work schedules, and work shifts.\r\n These positions are considered Hazardous Duty and may participate in Hazardous Duty benefits.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPermanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Forensic Nurse should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.\r\n\r\n\r\nCandidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We offer a comprehensive benefits package - Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees.\r\n\r\nEach\r\nRegistered Nurse who is permanently assigned to the second or third shift may\r\nbe eligible to receive a “recruitment and retention” yearly bonus of three\r\nthousand dollars ($3,000.00). This bonus shall be pro-rated for part-time\r\nRegistered Nurses. This bonus shall be paid biweekly. In order to be eligible\r\nfor this bonus, the Employee must have completed one year of service in the\r\nregistered nurse classification.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals;\r\n Provide support to hospital that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;\r\n Assist our clients and employees so they can achieve success;\r\n Make a difference in the public sector; and\r\n Work together in a collaborative team environment.\r\n\r\n\r\nMORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\nWhiting Forensic Hospital (WFH) 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. This is accomplished with full respect for the civil and human rights of each patient. Our goal is to assist individuals to manage their illnesses and achieve personal recovery goals through developing the skills necessary to live safely in the community.\r\n\r\n\r\nStart with Us! Stay with Us! Grow with Us!\r\nPLEASE NOTE\r\n\r\n\r\n A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.\r\n All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Forensic Nurse should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.\r\n\r\nCandidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.\r\nFOR THOSE WHO HOLD AN RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND DO NOT HOLD A MULTISTATE OR COMPACT REGISTERED NURSING LICENSE, AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:\r\n\r\n Review the�eligibility and documentation requirements�for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;\r\n Complete a�CT DPH online application�online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’;\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our�Applicant Toolkit�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications:�Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. �\r\n Educational Credits:�List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.�\r\n Resume Policy:�Per�Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location:�Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.�\r\n Timely Submission:�All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing�DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.�\r\n Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.�\r\n\r\n\r\n Note: The�only way�to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your�Personal Status Board�regularly.\r\n For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n Referral Questions:�This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).� �\r\n\r\n\r\n Prepare For An Interview:�Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful�Interview Preparation Guide�to make the best impression!�\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at�www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov.\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Whiting Forensic Hospital this class is accountable for providing professional nursing services involving the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill offenders and violent and/or antisocial patients/clients who are unmanageable in other psychiatric or correctional settings.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n Independently implements the nursing process with patients/clients including carrying out physicians' orders regarding diet, medication and treatment;�\r\n Makes ward rounds and gives direct care;�\r\n Takes and records vital signs;�\r\n Changes dressings;�\r\n Checks and distributes controlled drugs;�\r\n Maintains availability of drugs and supplies;�\r\n Observes adequacy of housekeeping and maintenance services;�\r\n Performs first aid and alerts physicians to emergency conditions;�\r\n Records observations of physical and physiological status and actions taken;�\r\n Confers with nurses and physicians on other shifts regarding condition of patients/clients;�\r\n Assesses patients/clients medical-psychosocial needs;�\r\n Works collaboratively with members of an interdisciplinary team in planning direct care;�\r\n Formulates and implements nursing care plans;�\r\n Evaluates nursing actions taken and modifies and/or revises nursing interventions based on patient/client need and response;�\r\n Teaches skills of self care to patients/clients;�\r\n Protects human and civil rights of patients/clients and staff;�\r\n Educates patients/clients and their families towards an awareness and understanding of health, illness and medication usage;�\r\n Maintains records and reports;�\r\n May participate in bathing and feeding of patients/clients;�\r\n May assist in physical examinations and histories;�\r\n May administer electrocardiogram (EKG) and eye examinations;�\r\n May assist in design and collection of data for research projects;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n and ability to apply professional nursing theory, practice and ethics;�\r\n and ability to apply quality standards, procedures and protocols;\r\n and ability to apply clinical therapeutic models of care with emphasis on interdisciplinary team approach;\r\n nursing practices necessary to provide effective services to patients/clients in a maximum security environment;�\r\n current medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects;�\r\n medical, therapeutic and psychiatric nursing interventions and methods;�\r\n and sensitivity to cultural and social-economic differences;�\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 Ability to\r\n \r\n act as a role model to health care staff by demonstrating and teaching professional behaviors;�\r\n learn specialized patient/client care applicable to work assignment;�\r\n listen and provide empathetic assistance to patients/clients and families in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments;�\r\n develop therapeutic relationships with patients/clients and their caregivers;�\r\n respond to emergencies;�\r\n respond to and seek supervision;�\r\n encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust and group identity to foster commitment and team work;�\r\n analyze and evaluate proper care and treatment.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n

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.

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