STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Head Nurse (Correctional Facility) (36 Hour)

Recruitment #230203-2293SJ-001

Introduction

   

Are you a dynamic healthcare professional looking to grow with the State of Connecticut?

The Department of Correction (DOC) has an internal promotional opportunity for a Head NurseThis opening is for Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown, CT.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

  • Location: Garner Correctional Instruction, Newtown, CT 
  • First Shift, 8:00AM - 4:00PM, 72 hours bi-weekly, every other weekend & holidays.
  • This is a Hazardous Duty Position and offers a pension plan, the State Employees Retirement System Tier IV. It also offers excellent health benefits along with additional supplemental benefits. 

YOUR ROLE

  • Delivering high quality care to the inmate population through general nursing processes including establishing care plans, developing unit procedures, health and safety standards, and staff development to meet the needs of the unit's demands.
  • Focus on infection control services and providing education to the inmate populating, with a focus on prevention.
  • Leading a healthcare unit- Supervision will include the roles of: Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, inmate workers and/or other assigned staff.
  • Operate under both the healthcare standards of UConn Health Center and the Department of Correction.

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. 

Selection Plan

This position is open to current State of Connecticut, Department of Correction employees only.

To qualify, you must have permanent State status, and 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. Specify your qualifications on your application.

If you find this role to be a good match for your experience with the DOC and career interests, we encourage you to apply!

TO APPLY

  • Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
  • Please ensure that your application and professional experience is thorough and complete. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. 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.

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 Nick Naples at nicholas.naples@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Correction facility, this class is accountable for the supervision and administration of an assigned nursing, mental health or related specialty unit including the direction and coordination of staff in order to ensure that the highest quality of nursing and/or mental health care is provided for the inmate population.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

HEALTH SERVICES: Leads planning of care and implementation of nursing process; coordinates nursing and/or mental health unit workflow; determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; identifies staff development needs; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; ensures controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered; leads professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in provision of inmate general and mental health care; instructs staff regarding policies and procedures; maintains and promotes standards of nursing; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; may participate in interdisciplinary meetings; may make recommendations on policies or standards; may prepare reports and correspondence; may physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correction staff in emergencies; performs related duties as required.

INFECTION CONTROL: Leads planning and implementation of infection control services for correctional inmates and individuals re-entering the community in order to protect the health and safety of inmates, staff and the public; assures quality performance in implementation of infection control program by contracted health care provider; provides education and training to inmates including infection prevention and control; monitors and ensures quality care through observation and evaluation; maintains records and makes reports; may develop infection prevention curriculum and educational materials for inmate education; may physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correction staff in emergencies; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques and standards; considerable knowledge of medication, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects; knowledge of general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome, identification, health planning, implementation and re-evaluation; knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences; knowledge of emergency and operating room nursing procedures and techniques; knowledge of teaching, counseling and evaluation principles and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to act as a role model to health care staff; ability to interview; ability to develop curricula; supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Professional Nurse.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

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, 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 some exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or 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.