STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (35 Hour)

Recruitment #190930-5913HC-001

Introduction

Our mission at the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), 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.

We are currently seeking a full-time experienced Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (108003) to join our clinical services team, outpatient. This is a full-time, (35) hours per week, position. The work schedule is as follows: Monday through Friday - 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

We are located in the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS), Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center, 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport. The City of Bridgeport is situated in Fairfield County at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound. Near the towns of Trumbull to the north, Fairfield to the west, and Stratford to the east.

Do you love the city? If so, discover the opportunities the Bridgeport area has to offer: Just a 90 minute car ride or hour by train to New York City. Several hospitals including Yale New Haven, Bridgeport Hospital and St. Vincent's Medical Center. A variety of universities including Yale, Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, Bridgeport, and New Haven.

Selection Plan

Are you a self-starter? Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our Joint Commission accredited hospital as an integral part of our Outpatient Services Division. Our facility provides comprehensive outpatient services to clients with a range of psychiatric issues. Our teams are comprised of psychiatry, nursing, clinicians, rehabilitation and case managers.  Together the team works to provide comprehensive person-centered care in an outpatient setting.  The team works collaboratively to provide clinical care through evidenced-based practices.

You will have the opportunity to work with our Principal Psychiatrist as collaborator per current DMHAS protocol, assigned to the Clinical Services Program (outpatient).  

As an active participant of clinical leadership roles, particularly with regards to professional and paraprofessional nursing staff, you will play a key role in:

  • Focusing on the therapeutic milieu (assuring supports allow for the positive outcomes for patients) and ongoing application of psychotherapy services including individual, family and group counseling;
  • Independently providing initial psychiatric evaluation, ongoing mental status examination, ordering and reviewing of medical tests, and the prescribing of appropriate medications consistent with clients' diagnosis and symptom presentation;
  • Participating in collaboration of services with community providers;
  • Providing of clinical (prescriptive) services to various levels of care including but not limited to CSP/RP, medication management team, therapy teams, clinical (case management) teams, young adult services, etc.;
  • Participating in education and training activities to be able to further professional development that relates to the programming needs of the center. 

Applicants invited to interview will be asked to supply the following: for State Employees, their last two (2) Performance Evaluations OR, for outside hires, two (2) Letters of Reference, and a copy of their current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. 

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have uploaded your resume as part of your application. You will be unable to make revisions once your submit your application into the JobAps system.   Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply a copy of their valid motor vehicle license. 

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact: Andrew Pebley at MHA-DMHAS-Recruitment@ct.gov or (860)262-6946

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in a community or inpatient setting, this class is accountable for providing consultation, program development and interdisciplinary cooperation with health care disciplines as well as providing ongoing psychotherapy.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

Both the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (APRN) and the Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse classes are responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance use disorders, etc. The distinction between this class and the APRN is the level of autonomy in decision making and providing a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The focus of this class is on the therapeutic milieu (assuring supports allow for the positive outcomes for patients) and ongoing application of psychotherapy services (individual, group and family).

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assesses, plans and evaluates nursing process using a high level of expertise and clinical independence; provides health care to clients using increasingly complex methods of interaction such as group and family therapy; evaluates effectiveness of clinical care provided to clients; prescribes medication; consults with and/or leads members of interdisciplinary teams and community representatives to assess, plan, implement and evaluate health services; provides leadership in delivery of quality care; assists in establishment of criteria for monitoring of standards of direct client care; serves as professional role model for staff by demonstrating clinical expertise; provides clinical supervision of staff members for purpose of advancing knowledge in individual client relationships, direct care problems, group processes and family therapy; conveys new and existing knowledge in fields of health to nursing personnel, interdisciplinary team members and community groups; protects human and civil rights of clients and staff; initiates and supports research projects which are carried out in accordance with departmental guidelines; leads or co-leads psychotherapy or family therapy groups; teaches and supervises staff in provision of group therapy; provides clinical consultation regarding crisis intervention and mechanisms to prevent crisis situations; may identify problem areas related to nursing care and assist in collection of data; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of psychiatric nursing, treatment modalities and concepts of programs for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders; considerable knowledge of advanced nursing principles and treatments; considerable knowledge of dynamics of behavior at individual, family and group levels; knowledge of pharmacology as it relates to advanced nursing practice; knowledge of research methodology; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable clinical assessment and evaluation skills; ability to examine, diagnose, assess and treat patients; ability to interpret diagnostic tests; ability to prescribe appropriate medications and other treatments; ability to provide clinical instruction; ability to utilize computer software; administrative ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree in psychiatric and/or mental health nursing AND two (2) years of experience as a professional nurse working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. A Master's or higher degree in nursing outside the psychiatric and mental health field with a minimum of twenty-four (24) graduate or postgraduate level academic hours in psychiatric and mental health theory and supervised clinical training in two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities may be substituted for the Master's degree requirement of the General Experience.

2. A Bachelor’s or higher degree in Nursing and certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMH) as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC) or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) may be substituted for a Master’s in psychiatric and/or mental health nursing.

3. Individuals who have obtained a Master’s or higher degree in nursing on or before December 31, 2004 and have two (2) years of experience as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders, need not meet the educational requirements defined in the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse issued by the Department of Public Health.

2. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. § 1320a-7b(f).

3. Incumbents in this class will be required to travel.

4. Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

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.