Supervising Nurse Consultant (35 Hour)

Within the Department of Public Health's Facility Licensing and Investigations Section (FLIS), Supervising Nurse Consultants (SNC) are responsible for ensuring that licensure and certification activities are completed in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes and the State Operations Manual (SOM) and are responsible for ensuring that all complaints received for licensed health care facilities in the state of Connecticut (e.g. chronic and convalescent nursing homes, hospitals, etc.) are investigated in a thorough and timely manner. In addition, FLIS is responsible for investigating a number of statutorily mandated hospital adverse events and nursing home reportable events. They provide oversight in making compliance decisions as a result of inspection activities. SNC’s within this section supervise approximately four to seven Nurse Consultants.

The supervising nurse consultants’ responsibilities include prioritizing, assigning, and reviewing all complaint intakes and licensure and certification activities; reviewing all investigations and inspections for thoroughness and accuracy; responding to complainants; conducting office conferences and informal dispute resolution meetings; developing plans and responding to facility crises; preparing initial documents that are necessary for regulatory actions; developing consent orders; reviewing strike plans and coordinating DPH’s response to nursing home strikes; and when necessary conducting onsite investigations.

Candidates invited to interview may be requested to supply the following information: last two performance appraisals (current state employees only) or two professional letters of reference (non-state employees). Questions about this documentation should be directed to Sue Ciccaglione, DPH HR at sue.ciccaglione@ct.gov or (860) 509-7183.

In the Departments of Public Health and Social Services and the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, this class is accountable for supervising staff in a major program which requires the application of professional nursing knowledge.

Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of staff; provides staff training and assistance; conducts performance evaluations; determines priorities and plans unit work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; develops or makes recommendations on development of policies and standards; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; prepares reports and correspondence; speaks to professional and lay groups; participates as a member of professional and lay group committees established to upgrade nursing and health care services; may conduct on site visits to facilities independently or as team leader to resolve special problems; may testify in court on state and federal policies and regulations; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of nursing care, administration and education; considerable knowledge of standards of care and service delivery in licensed health care facilities or institutions, community based nursing agencies, local health departments, licensed home health agencies and ambulatory care facilities; considerable knowledge of local, state and federal health agencies and programs; considerable knowledge of standards in long term care facilities; considerable knowledge of hospital nursing services; considerable knowledge of skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities organization and operational problems; considerable understanding of provision of medical and nursing care in a variety of settings; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; supervisory ability.

Five (5) years of experience as a professional nurse in a position of administration, consultation, education or supervision.

1. A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
2. A Master's degree in health services administration, nursing or public health may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Ability to independently review a regulatory work product and conclude regarding compliance versus non-compliance with state and federal laws;
• Experience with investigation and survey protocols with regards to licensed and certified healthcare entities;
• Experience with reviewing plans of correction in response to identification of non-compliance during the course of inspection activities;
• Ability to prioritize, manage and track multiple enforcement cases;
• Experience and ability to orally present educational programs to small and large groups.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as a registered professional nurse in Connecticut.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
NOTES:
1. Administrative Capacity is interpreted as managerial responsibility in setting and implementing policies, carrying out program planning and evaluation, coordinating special projects, etc. in the area of nursing service delivery.
2. Consultative Capacity is interpreted as provision of professional expert nursing advice to other than subordinate staff on major programmatic issues in the area of nursing service delivery.
3. Educational Capacity is interpreted as experience in a full time professional teaching position instructing professional nurses in a formalized program or students in an undergraduate or graduate nursing program.
4. Supervisory Capacity is interpreted as administrative supervision of registered nurses or other professional staff including accountability for hiring, firing, reviewing and evaluating employee performance in the area of nursing service delivery.

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.

The Department of Public Health aims to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and advancement, fostering an environment committed to supporting individuals in all protected classes.  If you require an aid/accommodation to participate fully and fairly, please contact the Human Resources Office at (860) 509-7177.