STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (40 Hour)

Recruitment #220125-5913FP-001

Introduction



Are you looking for the next step in your career? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to be a part of our team, committed to the goal of making a difference for individuals with mental health challenges!

We, at the Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN), are currently recruiting for a Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (PCN 25790), to work within our Torrington Outpatient program. We are located at 246 Winsted Road in Torrington. This is a full time, 40 hour per week position. The role has a work schedule of Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

The Western Connecticut Mental Health Network division provides services to approximately 7,000 clients receiving services in a variety of programs. We foster an environment that is person centered with a focus on individual recovery. Our outpatient team provides evaluation and management services to an assigned caseload. This includes overseeing the preparation and content of recovery plans, performing emergency Psychiatric evaluations, providing liaison services to assigned clients, and providing Probate Court testimony regarding conservatorship/other legal matters. Our team participates in network-wide off-site physician on-call rotation as scheduled by the Medical Director. 

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
  • Collaborate with the intake clinician
  • Assess and triage of assigned new clients for appropriateness of Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Services
  • Perform risk assessments on assigned new clients admitted to our office
  • Develop the Initial Recovery Plan of all assigned, newly-admitted clients
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. 

Our employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, and a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Selection Plan

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.

*You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

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, transcripts, diplomas, 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.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

As a reminder:

  • 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • 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.
  • All State employees shall follow Executive Orders 13G (as amended by Executive Order 14C).

For more information, we encourage you to contact the recruiter for this position, Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, (860) 924-7053.

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 may be required to travel.

4. Incumbents in this class may 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.