STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Nurse (Correctional Facility) (36 Hour)

Recruitment #210610-2294XS-006

Introduction



Are you passionate about helping others and making a difference? 
If so, we have a terrific opportunity for you! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) invites you to discover this exceptional opportunity as a dedicated Registered Nurse. The hardworking and dedicated team at Carl Robinson  Correctional Institution is growing and we are seeking RNs of all experience levels! 

Our Mission: 

The Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens, and offenders. 

Position Highlights: 

DOC is seeking highly motivated individuals to deliver care for our inmate population and assist them in their rehabilitation. Join a practice of nursing and delivery of patient care within the unique and distinct environment of the criminal justice system. Correctional nursing practice is focused independent practice and autonomy. 

Whether you are an experienced nurse or a recent graduate, you will apply your nursing knowledge, skills and abilities to assess, plan, implement and evaluate a full range of health conditions and determine both the urgency and priority of care delivery. 

Our orientation programs give you the knowledge and confidence to practice in a correctional environment as a professional nurse. Our in-service programs provide nurses with the opportunity to maintain clinical skills and learn new skills to advance patient care. 

Work hours are 3:00PM to 11:00PM, 35 hours per week. 
These openings will also include scheduling every other weekend and rotating holidays. Candidates will be scheduled 72 hours bi-weekly. 

What we can offer you: 

The State of Connecticut employees participate in a comprehensive benefits plan including: 
  • A Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV)
  • Retire in 25 years - with pension & healthcare benefits
  • Excellent health benefits along with additional supplemental benefits
  • A challenging yet rewarding experience
Additional benefits include: 
  • Career mobility - get paid to go to school
  • Tuition reimbursement after 6 months
  • Nursing licensure reimbursement 
  • $1500 allotted for conference and workshop funding (travel, food and lodging)
  • Recruitment and retention bonuses for RN's on 2nd and 3rd shift ($3,000 yearly)
Hear directly from our dynamic DOC Healthcare Team on their positive experience
               
DOC Correctional Nurse Testimonials: 

"I started with correctional nursing in 2011, and it is the best decision I made for my nursing career. I applied for an LPN durational position in early 2010 when the nursing home I had been working at announced they would be closing. About 9 months later, I got a call asking if I was still interested in coming in for an interview and I said yes. Come the morning of the interview, I woke up and said to myself that I wasn't going to go because it was far, it was at Corrigan and I lived 45 minutes away, but after contemplating, I called the supervisor and explained that I would be late, and she told me to come in anyways. That day changed my life, I began working at Corrigan and now 10 years and 3 facilities later, I have become an RN and now a CHN (Correctional Head Nurse) while employed with the DOC, thanks to the wonderful benefits of career mobility and tuition reimbursement. Correctional nursing has helped me to develop great assessment and leadership skills" 

Alice Scott-Hinton, BSN, RN

"I've had many titles throughout my nursing career such as a dialysis, medical/surgical, cardiac/pulmonary and rehab nurse. While at the DOC, I found myself volunteering to stay at their COVID-19 Recovery Unit in Suffield, CT. On this unit I recall two major eye-opening moments. First, was witnessing the impact of the virus and how fast a patient can deteriorate. The second moment was when I realized the DOC nursing staff was one big family."

Mikal "Mike" French, RN

"Working for the DOC for the last six years has truly been a life changing experience. Both personally and professionally, DOC has afforded me with opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. While working with the department, I have been able to work in several facilities, gathering skills and knowledge from each of them. I have formed valuable relationships with not only my nursing colleagues, but with custody staff, social workers and every discipline in-between. I have been able to attend correctional nursing conferences that have opened my eyes to issues and education that I hadn't considered beforehand. The DOC provides upward mobility for nurses looking to advance their career. Happiness and satisfaction with my work life allows me to be a better husband and father at home. I consider it a privilege to work with this department." 

James Fagan, RN

Selection Plan

The current vacancies are all full-time (36) hours per week positions, second shift, every other weekend and holiday. Positions are located at Carl Robinson Correctional Institution. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit as a Registered Professional Nurse in Connecticut.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified. 

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency. 

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Correction facility, this class is accountable for providing professional nursing and/or mental health care to inmates and assisting in their rehabilitation or providing targeted infection control services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

•Independently assess patients, develop a nursing diagnosis, develop and implement a treatment plan, and provide patient education and self-care through the nursing sick call process
• Performs health screenings and makes triage decisions contributing to the health and safety of patients
• Collaborates with multiple disciplines: custody, medical, mental health, dental and other health care support professionals
• Play a key role in the identification, treatment and control of the transmission of infections
• Provide nursing care to special populations such as women's health, juvenile health, end-of-life care, mental health, infirmary care
• Participate in a multidisciplinary team in providing chronic disease management by coordinating and managing chronic disease care
• Advance quality, patient safety and a culture of safety by volunteering as a nurse educator, preceptor; participate in facility-based quality and best practices committees
• Respond and participation in emergency care delivery
• Performs related duties as required

For more duties related to this job classification, please click here

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of and ability to apply professional nursing theory, practice and ethics; knowledge of current medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects; knowledge of medical, therapeutic and psychiatric nursing interventions and methods; knowledge of and ability to apply quality standards, procedures and protocols; knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic difference; some knowledge of teaching, counseling and evaluation principles and techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to act as a role model to health care staff by demonstrating and teaching professional behaviors; ability to learn specialized inmate care applicable to work assignment; ability to listen and provide empathetic assistance to inmates in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments; ability to develop therapeutic relationships with inmates and their caregivers; ability to respond to emergencies; ability to respond to and seek supervision; ability to encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride trust and group identity to foster commitment and team work; ability to analyze and evaluate proper care and treatment; ability to interview; some ability to develop curricula.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Candidates may be required to have experience working with adolescents or in women's health or mental health care.
  2. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit as a Registered Professional Nurse in Connecticut.
  3. 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.
  4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must possess general good health and retain sufficient stamina, agility and visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all duties of the class. Incumbents are required to pass a physical examination.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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