Nurse (Correctional Facility) (36 Hour)

Are you passionate about helping others and making a difference?   If so, 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 Bridgeport Correctional Center is growing!  This position is full time, First shift 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm (Every other weekend - Rotating holidays, 72 hrs bi weekly.

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 new 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. 

JUST SOME OF WHAT WE OFFER: 

• A Hazardous Duty pension
• Generous time off (personal, sick and vacation)
• Retire in 25 years - with pension & healthcare benefits
• Excellent health benefits along with additional supplemental benefits
• Career mobility
• Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months
• Nursing licensure reimbursement
• Conference and workshop funds allotment $1,500.00 (travel, food, lodging)
• Meal allowance

EMPLOYEE TESTIONIALS:

"I started with correctional nursing in 2011, and it is the best decision I made for my nursing career. I have become an RN and now a CHN (Correctional Head Nurse) while employed with the Department of Corrections 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. Working for the DOC has improved my critical thinking skills tremendously and added many tools to my “Mental Nursing Toolbox of Information”. The people are great, the job is rewarding, and you can learn a lot form everyone around you."    Mikal 'Mike' French RN

"Working for the department of corrections 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.  I have formed valuable relationships with not only my nursing co-workers, 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

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

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. 

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

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  Please ensure that your application is complete and displays your qualifications.  You will be unable to make revisions once it is submitted.  Questions can be sent to Emily.Kennedy@ct.gov.

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.

Independently implements nursing process with inmates including carrying out physicians orders regarding diet, medication and treatment; performs assessments; changes dressings; monitors and ensures quality care through observation and evaluation; reports on physiological and mental health status of inmates; documents nursing interventions on medical records; distributes and maintains records of controlled drugs and insures their security; maintains records and makes reports; makes decisions in routine cases; instructs inmates and staff regarding treatments, nursing plans and related inmate care issues directed towards an awareness and understanding of health/mental health issues; responds to emergencies; maintains availability of medications and supplies; ensures cleanliness of equipment and environment; may provide pre-certification for and coordination of inmates admitted to and discharged from acute care facilities; may formulate and implement nursing care plans; may administer routine tests; may conduct training; may delegate nursing tasks consistent with established protocols; may participate in psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation interventions; may conduct daily sick call; may physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correctional staff in emergencies; may provide related medical or mental health specialty services; performs related duties as required.

Independently implements infection control services with inmates; performs infection control assessments; provides infection prevention and control education and training to inmates; responds to emergencies; conducts health record chart reviews; reviews tracking systems for HIV, TB and other infectious diseases; monitors incidences of infections including TB, MRSA and other infectious diseases; analyzes trends over time and across system; assesses inmates for knowledge of infection control and prevention; identifies inmates nearing re-entry date for participation in re-entry infection prevention education programs; identifies community based infection prevention resources; develops informational materials about community-based programs and disseminates to re-entry population; maintains records and makes reports; may develop infection prevention curriculum and educational material for inmate education; may physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correctional staff in emergencies; performs related duties as required.

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.

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.