STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Registered Professional Nurse (Per Diem)

Recruitment #200506-0274HD-001

Introduction

Are you passionate about helping others and making a difference? We invite you to discover this exceptional opportunity as a dedicated Registered Nurse (Per Diem). The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), Facility Licensing and Investigations Section (FLIS) is seeking to hire temporary Registered Nurses (Per Diem) on an emergency basis to assist FLIS in conducting enhanced monitoring at nursing homes and Assisted Living Service Agencies during this pandemic focusing on COVID-19 positive facilities and including presumed negative facilities. All nursing homes and Assisted Living facilities will have enhanced monitoring.

These Registered Nurses will evaluate health care facilities for compliance with infection prevention and control standards and guidelines and assess safety and quality of resident care relative to infection control and the environment including COVID-19 positive facilities. The enhanced monitoring plan is intended to reinforce infection prevention and control to address the pandemic in order to provide the best quality care to our most vulnerable residents in the state of Connecticut. Please be aware that these positions focus on observation of care and the environment and they do not include physical care of any residents.

These per diem temporary positions will cover up to 35 hours hours per week, will include all shifts, seven days per week for the duration of the pandemic. The schedule will be flexible and take into consideration the town the nurse lives in for proximity to the facility. The nurse hours of pay will include travel. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided. Being fit tested for a N95 mask is required.  All staff will receive a half day training by the Facility Licensing and Investigations Section (FLIS) of the Department of Public Health and will shadow a FLIS Nurse Consultant for one visit as part of the training.

Selection Plan

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s). Please ensure that your application is complete, you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application. Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sue Ciccaglione at sue.ciccaglione@ct.gov or (860) 509-7183.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state hospital or facility, works on a daily or hourly basis as a regular registered nurse, providing direct professional nursing care to a variety of individuals.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This position will be responsible for:

  • Reporting to the Department issues and concerns regarding quality of care and services being provided by the institution.
  • Monitoring the institution's facility-wide infection prevention and control plan including infection prevention and control (IPCP) including standards, policies, and procedures that are based on national standards for undiagnosed respiratory illness and COVID-19.
  • Monitoring facility's policies or procedures including when to notify local/state public health officials if there are clusters of respiratory illness or cases of COVID-19 that are identified or suspected.
  • Monitoring facility's environmental cleaning protocols.
  • Reports to Department positive and negative issues related to said oversight.                    
  • Assessing administration's ability to manage and the care/services being provided by  staff.     
  • Assessment of institution's compliance with federal/state laws and regulations.
  • Recommendations to institutional administration regarding staff performance.
  • Monitoring of care/services being provided.
  • Assists staff with plans of action to enhance care and services within the institution.
  • Promotes staff growth and accountability.
  • Educates staff regarding current infection prevention and control practices. 
  • Submits required reports and/or survey tools to the Department in accordance with the contract between the Per Diem Registered Nurse and the Department of Public Health (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes Tool).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of principles and practices of nursing; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Knowledge of standards of care and service delivery for infection control practices promulgated by the (CDC).
  • Ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs.
  • An unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the State of CT.
  • Five (5) years’ experience as a professional nurse preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit to practice professional nursing in Connecticut.
  2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain designated positions.

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

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.