Nurse Consultant (Public Health) (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is recruiting for a Nurse Consultant position within the Practitioner Investigation Unit. The Practitioner Investigation Unit (PIU) is part of the Healthcare Quality and Safety Branch of the Connecticut Department of Public Health which investigates complaints to comply with Sec. 19a-14 of the Connecticut General Statutes, which requires and authorizes the Department to investigate complaints against licensed health practitioners. The Nurse Consultant may also conduct on- site inspections of healthcare service sites to observe and assess infection control compliance, or non-adherence to scope of practice issues. The PIU investigates cases based on complaints in the following categories: practice-related, drug-related, boundary violations, sexual misconduct, abuse, fraud, and certain criminal convictions.

PIU is seeking a motivated individual that will be expected to work independently and as part of a team to investigate complaints against licensed healthcare professionals who are regulated by the Department.  The Nurse Consultant will be accountable for conducting investigations and inspections within the Practitioner Investigations Unit. Responsibilities will also include reviewing and applying relevant statutes, obtaining evidence, conducting interviews, and documenting findings. The Nurse Consultant may be required to collaborate with local law enforcement, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents, and other agencies during an investigation. The selected candidate is expected to exercise discretion in handling confidential information. The selected candidate may also be required to travel within the state, speak before large groups, provide technical assistance and or provide testimony.

The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

Are you interested in joining our team as a Nurse Consultant? We encourage you to apply today! This is a full-time, first shift, thirty-five (35) hour per week position with a typical work schedule of Monday through Friday. There is opportunity for flexible/alternate work schedule, and some telework is available.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

*The salary range may increase effective July 1, 2022. 

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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.  

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. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. 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.  

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

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. 

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

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization. 

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Joseph Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov.

In the Departments of Public Health, Children and Families, Correction, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Social Services and the Office of Early Childhood, this class is accountable for applying professional nursing knowledge in the enforcement, inspection, licensure, consultation and implementation or assessment of the nursing service component of health care programs and facilities.

Implements, coordinates, and evaluates activities of assigned programs or health care services; maintains active liaison with and serves as nursing consultant to other sections, divisions, health care providers and public; may inspect and evaluate health care and psychiatric facilities for compliance with state and federal regulations including licensure and certification laws; assesses safety and quality of client care provided; assesses compliance of health insurance companies with various state statutes, regulations and guidelines; performs related duties as required.

Provides consultation to state licensed health care facilities and institutions and to unlicensed facilities to bring them into compliance with statutes, community institutions and individuals regarding planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing services, home health services and specialized problems in public health; performs on-site inspection surveys of health care or psychiatric facilities and provides consultation regarding licensure and certification laws, regulations and policies; evaluates quality of services rendered by facility; monitors facilities during strikes; prepares relevant federal and state forms and reports; may testify in court relative to findings of inspections and/or investigations; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of standards of care and service delivery in community based nursing agencies, licensed home health agencies, health care facilities and institutions; considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of nursing care administration and education for a variety of specialties with varied settings; considerable knowledge of principles and practices pertinent to community processes; knowledge of State, Federal and local health agencies and programs; knowledge of nursing education and skill in techniques of teaching; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs; ability to collect and analyze data.

Four (4) years of experience as a professional nurse in a position involving supervision, consultation, education or administration.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a public health nursing program, home health care agency, community health care setting, or in a hospital.

1. A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
2. A Master's degree in health services administration, nursing or public health may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience organizing data, evaluating, and analyzing proper care and treatment in accordance with federal and state laws, regulations and professional standards in healthcare
• Experience with computerized databases, MS Outlook, MS Word and TEAMS
• Experience independently writing professional correspondence and reports that document facts and convey analysis of facts
• Experience independently interviewing health care providers and health care recipients in the provision of care and service
• Formal training and/or experience testifying in court or at administrative hearings
• Formal training and/or experience employing investigative techniques

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as a registered professional nurse in Connecticut.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess certification as an Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist or be eligible for certification as an Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist.
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.

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.