STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Nurse (Correctional Facility) (35 Hour)

Mental Health

Recruitment #221024-2294HJ-001

Introduction


Are you looking for a career providing a full range of professional nursing care with a Mental Health emphasis? If so, we encourage you to apply! 

The State of Connecticut, the Department of Correction (DOC), invites you to discover this outstanding opportunity as a Nurse RN for a Mental Health Nurse assignment at York Correctional Institution. 

ABOUT US

Since 1968, the Connecticut Department of Correction has proudly served and protected the citizens of the State of Connecticut, by daily ensuring the safety, security and order of our 14-correctional facilities in a manner which is widely viewed as a national model. The Department endeavors to provide the programming, education and treatment which willing inmates may utilize to improve themselves and the success of their eventual reintegration into society. Our staff of dedicated correctional professionals takes great PRIDE (Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dignity, Excellence) in the daily performance of their duty to our state. 

The York Correctional Institution is a high-security facility.  It serves as the state's only institution for female offenders.  It serves all superior courts in Connecticut and manages all pretrial and sentenced female offenders, whatever their security level. The programming units at the facility have an extensive array of positive interventions for the population, including the 80-bed intensive, inpatient drug treatment unit, the Marilyn Baker House. A Hospice program trains inmate volunteers to provide end of life care to fellow offenders.

OUR MISSION

The Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.

 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

This position is full-time, 35 hours per week, working Monday through Friday from 8:00am-3:00pm. 

This role is a specialized assignment requiring specific Clinical assessment skills. The RN in this role maintains ongoing Mental Health assessment and tracking, prioritizing mental health acuity, and conducting vital nursing interventions. The role encompasses three aspects: Direct patient care by having face to face encounters with patients at specific intervals and monitoring Medication compliance, Administrative by assisting the provider and scheduling clinics, and Coordinator for the psychiatric practice and mental health practice.

YOUR ROLE

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.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • A Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV)
  • Generous time off (personal, sick and vacation)
  • Excellent health and wellness benefits along with additional supplemental benefits
  • A challenging, yet rewarding experience with opportunity to grow your career.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
  • We offer career mobility - get paid to go to school
  • Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months
  • Nursing licensure reimbursement
  • Conference and workshop funds allotment $1,500.00 (travel, food, lodging)
  • Meal allowance per shift
  • Accruals sick time/vacation time/personal time
Learn more from our healthcare team at the DOC:
              

Selection Plan

IMPORTANT SELECTION INFORMATION

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Connecticut.

  • To be considered for this recruitment, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications of this classification. 
  • Include your Registered Nurse (RN) licensure information within your application.
  • Applicants must select the shift(s) in which they wish to be considered for on their application prior to submission. Failure to indicate the shift will result in the applicant not being considered for vacancies in that designated shift.   
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 
TO APPLY
  • Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
  • 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. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

WHAT TO EXPECT 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 daily 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 daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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.

Should you have any questions about the position, please contact Nicholas Naples at Nicholas.Naples@ct.gov.

#INDHP

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  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.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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.

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.