Forensic Head Nurse (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)is currently accepting applications for a Forensic Head Nurse for Unit 2 within Whiting Max Services.  This is a full-time, thirty-five (35) hour per week, 2nd shift position, 2:45PM to 11:15PM working every other weekend and holiday. 

Please ensure that your application is complete as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.  Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply the following: last two (2) performance appraisals (current state employees only) or two (2) professional letters of reference (non-state employees).

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Julie Barker, DMHAS HR, (860) 262-6745 or Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Whiting Forensic Institute this class is accountable for the administrative and clinical supervision of a unit involving the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill offenders and violent and/or antisocial clients who are unmanageable in other psychiatric or correctional facilities.

Leads the planning of care and the implementation of the nursing process; plans unit workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; leads professional and paraprofessional staff in provision of patient/client care; maintains and promotes standards of nursing; identifies staff development needs; instructs staff regarding policies and procedures; participates in interdisciplinary meetings to promote and ensure adjustment and continuity of patient/client care programs; responds to emergencies; acts as liaison with operating units; ensures that controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered; may make recommendations on policies or standards; may prepare reports and correspondence; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to independently apply psychiatric nursing principles, techniques and standards; considerable knowledge of specialized patient/client care applicable to nursing assignment; considerable knowledge of medication, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects; knowledge of policies and procedures required to maintain a maximum security environment; knowledge of statutes pertaining to treatment of mentally ill offenders; knowledge of general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, health planning, implementation and evaluation; knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other professionals; ability to act as a role model to health care staff; supervisory ability.

Two (2) years experience as a Registered Professional Nurse in hospital nursing.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the care of the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

A Bachelor's degree in Nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

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.

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.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients/clients; may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients/clients; may be exposed to strongly disagreeable conditions.

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.