STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director Of Nursing 2 (Nurse Executive)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #220906-2759MP-001

Introduction



ABOUT US
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.

The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.

THE POSITION
The SWCMHS has an opening for Director of Nursing 2 (DN2).  This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with a work schedule of 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.  This position is located at 1635 Central Avenue in Bridgeport.  The position control number is 125074.

Nursing services have key responsibility for maintaining a safe treatment environment though ongoing assessment and implementation of appropriate psychiatric interventions and treatment. The DN2 will function as Nurse Executive and provide key leadership to the ongoing implementation and enhancement of these key safety functions.  With aid from the Directors of Nursing 1, the DN2 will oversee nursing services to 3 inpatient units with a total of 62 beds as well as all outpatient services.

Discover the opportunity to:
  • Maintain a safe, therapeutic and recovery-focused program that delivers safe high quality client care;
  • Be a part of dynamic hospital services division leadership;
  • Collaborate and implement corrective actions and maintain staffing standards with acuity of unit as appropriate; and
  • Participate in developing and maintaining relationships with community non-profits, hospitals and other service organizations.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
  • We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees.
  • We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth.
  • We have limitless areas for you to perform relevant and significant work.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

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

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • 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.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • 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 will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
  • 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. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Pamela Rochette via email at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.
#INDHP

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Correction, Developmental Services, 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

Three (3) years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a health care organization/facility or hospital nursing. 

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with the joint commission, CMS standards and other regulatory bodies;
  • Experience with both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health programs/units;
  • Experience with team building/team management and the ability to demonstrate solid leadership skills;
  • Experience with staffing and scheduling in a congregate care environment;
  • Experience working in a union environment; and
  • Experience discussing all aspects of employee performance, work rules and attendance.

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.