STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director Of Nursing 2

Recruitment #210827-2759MP-001

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Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission 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. 

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 hospital’s team. 

The DMHAS, Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH) seeks an experienced and qualified individual for a meaningful role as a Director of Nursing 2.  This position is located within the Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown, CT.  It is a full-time, forty (40) hour per week position.  The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The position number is 126387. 

WFH specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds.  Services are provided to individuals who are admitted under the following categories: Psychiatric Security Review Board commitment, Criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, Civil commitment (voluntary or involuntary) and Transfer from the Department of Correction (during period of incarceration or at end of sentence). Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission. 

The incumbent will serve in the capacity of a Nurse Executive at WFH. They will report directly to the CEO and be a member of the hospital’s senior leadership team.  They will also be responsible for leading the nursing team, overseeing the management side of patient care services, and making administrative decisions that support WFH’s goals. Please note that a master’s degree is required in nursing, social or behavioral science, public health administration, health care administration, hospital administration or a related field. 

As part of the WFH Leadership team, you will also discover the opportunity to: 

  • Be responsible for all aspects of nursing services within the Hospital including, but not limited to, overseeing the Directors of Nursing, Nurse Supervisors, RN’s, LPN’s, Mental Health Assistants and Forensic Treatment Specialists;
  • Monitor and adjust staffing levels, shift configuration, and schedules to provide the best possible care for the patients we serve; 
  • Monitor and adjust processes and procedures to ensure continuous improvement of all aspects of direct care; 
  • Be responsible for preparing and presenting reports on nursing department quality metrics to the hospital’s Quality, Risk and Safety committee, Governing Body, and other relevant committees and outside entities as needed; 
  • Be responsible for overseeing, tracking and reporting on corrective action plans relative to nursing quality metrics for the hospital and the CT Department of Public Health; 
  • Chair the hospital’s Nursing Leadership and Staffing committees; 
  • Participate and collaborate with Human Resources and Labor Relations in all aspects of recruitment, retention, supervisory and disciplinary processes and procedures of the hospital’s nursing staff; and 
  • Work collaboratively with other members of the hospital leadership to strive toward achieving shared goals and expectations including oversight of the hospital’s 24/7 manager on duty schedule. 
We participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off!  We encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees.

Interested in knowing more about becoming a Director of Nursing at DMHAS, check out the video below!

Selection Plan

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications - as listed on the job opening - will be considered for this role, as determined by qualifications stated on the submitted application. 

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

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a). 

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Doreen Clemson at Doreen.Clemson@ct.gov or (860) 785-9855.  

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Correction, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans Affairs, this class is accountable for directing nursing services by ensuring that nursing professional practices comply with appropriate standards of delivery for evidence-based patient-centered care, within an assigned region, a large hospital division, a medium-sized hospital or for statewide services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs the staff and operation of the nursing department; coordinates, plans and manages nursing activities; formulates program goals and objectives; makes staff assignments; develops or assists in the development of related policy incorporating current nursing research and professionally recognized standards; develops or assists in development and implementation of plans for nursing care; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in the preparation of the nursing budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of the department who might impact on program activities; participates in recruitment and retention programs; makes rounds to determine the quality of nursing care; participates in Quality Assurance Programs; assures optimal quality of care is provided in a safe environment; develops and/or implements effective ongoing programs to measure, assess and improve quality of nursing care, treatment and services delivered to patients; develops productive work teams; protects human and civil rights of patients and/or clients and staff; recommends disciplinary actions; collaborates with clinical instructors for educational programs; represents the hospital/facility in meetings of professional and/or community organizations; compiles data and prepares periodic reports; responsible for coordinating and providing twenty-four hour nursing coverage for facility or assigned units(s); intervenes in crisis situations and investigates all unusual incidents; leads and participates in meetings; may speak on behalf of nursing; may oversee other disciplines including but not limited to pharmacy, respiratory therapy or social work; may participate in strategic planning; may participate in research activities; may be a member of standing committees; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION: Directs the staff and operations of nursing services within an assigned region spanning multiple correctional facilities; ensures that the coordination and provision of comprehensive nursing services are being delivered 24-hours per day/7 days per week; directs the development or assists with the development of nursing policies, procedures, and protocols; directs or assists with the development, implementation of nursing services staffing plan policies; provides supervision to nurse supervisors regarding nursing standards, procedures, protocols and policies; ensures that nursing practices comply with the appropriate professional standards; develops and monitors nursing performance expectations; develops, administers and maintains nursing programs that deliver, monitor, evaluate and improve the quality and appropriateness of all nursing care; ensures facilities have implemented an effective system that certifies competence to perform nursing duties, including the performance of physical assessments and outpatient urgent and emergency protocols; ensures the continuous quality improvements and sustainable constitutional levels of nursing care; ensures nursing services are well-functioning and that the timely delivery of patient care is available to all patients in accordance with appropriate standards of nursing care; identifies operational and organizational issues and implements solution for operational and organizational issues pertaining to nursing; prepares or assists in the preparation of the nursing budget and makes decisions or recommends a course of action with regard to management of the nursing budget; assesses professional nurse training and orientation needs and participates in the development of orientation and education programs to promote staff development; performs competency assessments; mentors and coaches nursing personnel throughout the region; assists in evaluating nursing staff and recommends corrective action; protects human and civil rights of patients and staff; directs and oversees health care accreditation/re-accreditation process performs related duties as required. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of nursing principles and practices in appropriate specialty; knowledge of behavioral health nursing; knowledge of nursing administration; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; knowledge of research procedures as applied to nursing; knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques; knowledge of current developments in field of nursing including current complexities of the healthcare industry; knowledge of relevant State and Federal regulations and accreditation guidelines; knowledge of trend variance analysis; knowledge of governmental accounting and budgeting; some knowledge of marketing; some knowledge of and ability to develop strategic plans; leadership skills and ability; ability to problem solve; ability to multi-task and coordinate a high level of activities; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A bachelor’s degree in nursing and three (3) years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a health care organization/facility. 

Note:  For State employees, this is interpreted at or above the level of a Supervising Nurse.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Possession of an Associate's degree in nursing and five (5) years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a health care organization/facility may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Our preferred candidate will possess the following:  

  • Experience with staffing and scheduling;    
  • Experience managing and creating master schedules;  
  • Experience working in a union environment;  
  • Experience with the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and 
  • Experience communicating verbally and in writing to staff including, but not limited to, performance evaluations, progressive discipline, and adherence to workplace expectations, policies, and procedures.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license as a registered professional nurse in Connecticut.
  2. Incumbents in this class serving in the capacity of the Nurse Executive are required to possess a master's degree in nursing, public health administration, health care administration, hospital administration or a related field.
  3. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.





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