STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Psychiatric APRN (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner) (32 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #230112-5913FL-001

Introduction

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? 
If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital's team as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

THE ROLE:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking a qualified individual for the position of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse to join their team.  

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • FACILITY: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
  • LOCATION: Behavioral Health Home
  • ADDRESS: 55 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Part-Time, 32 hours weekly, Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • WORK ENVIRONMENT: Office/On-Site
  • POSITION NUMBER: 110874

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU - Comprehensive Benefits which include:
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage; 
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
  • Retirement healthcare offerings; 
  • Accrued vacation, personal and sick leave; 
  • 13 paid holidays per calendar year; 
  • Professional growth and development opportunities; and
  • Outstanding work-life balance!

*Please note these wonderful benefits are pro-rated for part-time positions.
 

AS A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER YOU WILL:
  • Work as part of a team in Clinical Services Unit, comprised of Psychiatry, Nursing, Clinicians and Case Managers;
  • Provide assessment, documentation, treatment planning and performance improvement; and
  • Participate in coordination of services with community providers, as well as other therapeutic programs. 
Additionally, the Behavioral Health Home model utilizes this position as a primary care consultant in the following ways: consult with the Behavioral Health Home team; assist in care plan development; coordinate services with medical staff; and provide education to increase awareness of health conditions and behaviors.

OUR MISSION: 
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.

ABOUT US:
WCMHN coordinates three local mental health authorities in Danbury, Waterbury and Torrington. WCMHN provides peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis response, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and young adult services. Collectively, WCMHN programs serve roughly 7,000 people annually. 

Behavioral Health Home is a healthcare service delivery model focused on the integration of primary care, mental health services, and social services and supports for adults and children diagnosed with mental illness. The Behavioral Health Home model of care uses a multidisciplinary team to deliver person-centered services designed to support a person in coordinating care and services while reaching his or her health and wellness goals.  We provide services such as comprehensive care management; care coordination; health promotion; comprehensive transitional care; individual and family support; referral to community and support services.


Come join our team and make an impaCT as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for the State of Connecticut!



Selection Plan


NOTE: 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 Doreen Clemson at Doreen.Clemson@ct.gov or 860-785-9855.
#INDHP

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Correction and 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience providing clinical behavioral health care and working with outpatient interdisciplinary staff.
  • Experience working with individuals with complex medical comorbidity.
  • Experience treating people with mental illness and substance use disorder, including MAT (Medication Assisted Therapies).

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.