Nurse Consultant (General) (40 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

We are currently recruiting for a  Nurse Consultant position in the DSS Central Office, in the Department of Health Services in our Community Options Unit.  We are conveniently located on Farmington Avenue in Hartford, CT. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week with a work schedule of Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.  .   

You will discover the opportunity to:  

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.   

The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.  

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

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

• If selected for further consideration, State employees may be required to provide last 2 service ratings and last 2 attendance records.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

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.

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.

In the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, Consumer Affairs area, this class is accountable for acting as a supervisor and responsible for independently performing a full range of duties related to health insurance consumer education, case management and advocacy and assessing compliance of health insurance companies with various state statutes, regulations and guidelines.

In the Office of the State Treasurer, Second Injury and Assurance Fund, this class is responsible for managing, directing, implementing and monitoring programs involving medical cost containment and disability management relating to occupational injuries and loss control matters.

 

ALL PARENTHETICALS: 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.
PUBLIC HEALTH: 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.
GENERAL: Provides consultation and reviews, evaluates and authorizes requests for medical placement services or equipment for clients covered under medical assistance programs; evaluates requests from health care providers asking to be included in medical assistance programs and offers consultation regarding interpretation of programs, policies and regulations; performs related duties as required.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: In a central office assignment or region-wide basis, plans, reviews, and evaluates the coordination, assessment and monitoring of health services to DCF children; assists in the development of policies and procedures related to health and wellness/nursing standards of practice; provides consultation to community hospitals, medical facilities, community providers, schools, foster parents, other state agencies and the court system regarding the health needs of DCF children; provides consultation to Careline Special Investigations Unit on medical investigations of abuse and neglect; develops nursing and individual professional development/trainings; may review all multidisciplinary evaluations, including the child's medical, dental, developmental, behavioral health and trauma needs, including consents for surgeries/medical procedures and/or medically complex cases; may have oversight and coordination of children's health plans; may have oversight of state-wide health trainings, health programs, contracts and health initiatives; may develop, provide and monitor health trainings to DCF caregivers, staff, community providers and youth; performs related duties as required.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Monitors the enforcement of child day care programs and youth camps licensure; provides consultation regarding licensure and certification laws, regulations and policies; evaluates quality of services rendered by facility; monitors all medication administration by unlicensed personnel in these programs; provides technical assistance to programs requiring childhood immunization and presenting medical conditions; acts as a resource to programs regarding infectious diseases, bioterrorism, and emergency preparedness and other child health issues; performs on-site inspections of complaints concerning the administration of medications, diseases outbreaks, child abuse and neglect and child deaths and serious injuries in child day care programs and youth camps; prepares relevant state forms and reports; testifies at formal hearings and court proceedings; performs related duties as required.
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: On a region-wide basis, plans, reviews and evaluates the coordination, assessment and monitoring of health services; provides consultation to community health care providers, private residential and day program providers and families; recommends standards of care for State and private facilities; performs related duties as required.
HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE: Within a unit, coordinates work flow and determines priorities to assure highest quality of consumer service; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains program protocols and procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; investigates consumer complaints against insurance companies; analyzes complaints for possible violation of state statutes, regulations and guidelines; leads internal case review; reviews medical records and consults with treating physician and other medical experts to build cases for "medical necessity" under Connecticut law; coordinates internal and external consumer appeals; liaison with health plan providers, consumers, families, government agencies; interviews consumers, families and providers to collect facts related to an appeal; drafts testimony for consumer and providers for appeal hearings; leads consumer presentation at appeal hearings; refers cases to other state agencies in consultation with Program Manager; assists in the design of and participates in agency quality improvement activities; develops and conducts outreach, presentations and front-line consumer education through the toll-free line or participates in health fairs; performs related duties as required.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES: Coordinates and supervises a program of clinical data collection as it relates to specific state and federal legislation; develops, implements and evaluates instruments used in collection of clinical information; assesses and evaluates medical and psychiatric information obtained through clinical screening procedure; evaluates discharge planning activities for clients requiring transfers from nursing facilities; plans for utilization of community and hospital resources required by these clients; reviews and implements budget for Clinical Systems Analysis Unit of department; plans, develops and implements training programs for department and other state agency staff; performs related duties as required.
WORKERS COMPENSATION: Reviews, audits, monitors and directs in areas of medical management, cost containment, peer review and rehabilitation; monitors agency and third party administrators and medical community to develop effective programs in medical management and loss control; analyzes medical and physician charges and renders decisions regarding rehabilitative planning for assigned cases; evaluates personal injuries in terms of physical disability and incurred costs as result of medical bills, wage replacement or vocational rehabilitation; develops cost effective plans to return injured workers to employment; identifies and evaluates factors within claimant home; work environment or medical care center that would promote recovery or give cause to unnecessary extended disability; develops plans of cost effective means of treatment and rehabilitation to return injured workers to maximum functioning capacities; coordinates efforts of physicians, employers, employees and rehabilitation counselors; monitors medical bill costs and evaluates need for billed services; monitors and assists in management of lifetime care of catastrophically injured claimant; performs related duties as required.

ALL PARENTHETICALS: 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.
GENERAL, EARLY CHILDHOOD, PUBLIC HEALTH: Considerable knowledge of standards of care and service delivery in community based nursing agencies, licensed home health agencies, health care facilities and institutions.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Considerable knowledge of nursing treatment, trends and resources for pediatric health issues.
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: Considerable knowledge of nursing treatments, trends and resources for persons with intellectual disability.
HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE: Considerable knowledge of health insurance and managed care; considerable internal and external insurance appeal processes; knowledge of state insurance law; knowledge of the impact of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) on state regulation of insurance; knowledge of medical terminology; knowledge of medical procedures and billing codes.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES: Considerable knowledge of nursing treatments, trends and resources for the mentally ill.
WORKERS COMPENSATION: Considerable knowledge of State of Connecticut Workers Compensation statutes, rules and regulations; considerable knowledge of care and service delivery to injured workers.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, GENERAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES, PUBLIC HEALTH: Four (4) years of experience as a professional nurse in a position involving supervision, consultation, education or administration.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Four (4) years of experience as a professional nurse in a position involving working with children in acute care or a community setting.
HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE: Four (4) years of experience as a professional nurse in a position involving medical/surgical or mental health practices.
WORKERS COMPENSATION: Four (4) years of experience as a professional nurse in a position involving supervision, consultation, education, or administration in rehabilitative nursing with injured workers, including medical review of insurance claims.

GENERAL, PUBLIC HEALTH: 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.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Two (2) years of the general experience must have been in the area of pediatric nursing.
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the area nursing for persons with intellectual disability.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Two (2) years of the general experience must have been in a setting working with infants, children or youth.
HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been a utilization review nurse or as a nurse working in the health insurance or healthcare industry on insurance coverage activities.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICITON SERVICES: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in psychiatric nursing.

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.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:  

• Experience organizing data, evaluating, and analyzing medical documentation to include neuropsychiatric evaluations.  
• Experience with computerized databases, MS Outlook, MS Word and TEAMS.  
• Experience working independently.  
• Experience with and knowledge of Medicaid Waivers.  
• Formal training and/or experience with those with ABI/TBI.  
• Formal training and/or experience with those on the Autism Spectrum.  
• Experience and/or training maintaining and organizing waitlists for those determined to be clinically eligible for the ABI waiver.  
• Experience with clinical consultation with co-workers and State partners.

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.