STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Forensic Head Nurse (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #260427-3990FL-001

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Introduction

“DMHAS logo with blue emblem and the text ‘Connecticut Mental Health and Addiction Services.’”

Your path in Forensic Nursing with the State of Connecticut.

Forensic Head Nurse → Supervising Nurse → Director of Nursing 1

Start. Stay. Grow ↑

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking to fill one full‑time (40 hours/week) third-shift Forensic Head Nurse position (PCN 79926) at Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH) in the Dutcher 2 South Unit.

Agency-Only Opportunity
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. 

NEW! We're excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit the Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.

Schedule
• 3rd shift
• Full‑time, 40 hours per week
• Week 1: Friday and Tuesday off
• Week 2: Saturday and Sunday off

Position Highlights
• Leads the planning of care and the implementation of the nursing process
• Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews daily work
• Guides professional and paraprofessional staff in delivering high‑quality patient care
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to support coordination and continuity of services
• Ensures proper storage, administration, and ordering of controlled medications
• Hazardous Duty position

A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug‑Free Workplace Policy.

Same Amazing Benefits You Already Have
• Access to a comprehensive suite of state employee benefits
• NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options
• Opportunities for professional growth and career development
• A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance

About Us 
Whiting Forensic Hospital provides high-quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings.

Selection Plan

For Applicants with an Out‑of‑State RN License (Non‑Compact)
If you hold an RN license from another state and do not have a multistate/compact license, follow these steps to apply for a Connecticut RN license:

• Review CT’s eligibility and documentation requirements for licensure by endorsement.
• Submit the CT DPH online application (under “Public Health Practitioners,” select “Registered Nurse,” then “Start”).
• Request electronic license verification through Nursys® by searching your license, selecting Connecticut, and completing the transaction. Nursys will send confirmation once your verification is available to DPH.

For Assistance in Applying
• Visit the Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

Before You Apply
• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the posting by the closing date. These qualifications must be clearly specified on your application.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees accurately. Institutions must be accredited. For foreign education, provide equivalency documentation from a recognized U.S. accrediting service.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21‑69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. Additional documents (cover letter, transcripts, performance reviews, etc.) may be requested later.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all locations and shifts you are willing to work. Failure to do so may limit your consideration for specific vacancies.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be submitted by the posting deadline. Revisions cannot be made after you submit. Late submissions are rarely accepted; applicants may request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov and providing documentation of incapacitating circumstances during the entire posting period.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations may differ between branches of state government.
• How to Apply: The only way to apply is through the “Apply” or “Apply Online” buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center posting.

After You Apply
• Check Your Status: Email providers may delay messages. Regularly review your Personal Status Board for updates, questionnaires, and tasks. You may also enable SMS notifications.
• Referral Questions: You may be required to complete Referral Questions (RQs) after the posting closes. Access them through your email or your Personal Status Board.
• Prepare for an Interview: Only candidates whose experience aligns most closely with the role will be interviewed. Review the Interview Preparation Guide to get ready.
• Stay Connected: Monitor your Personal Status Board daily and check all email folders (including spam).
• Future Vacancies: Applications to this recruitment may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
• Employment Rules: Positions are filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion, and merit rules. Employees are also bound by the State Code of Ethics (www.ct.gov/ethics).

Questions? We’re Here to Help
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide individual status updates. For recruitment updates, check your Personal Status Board or review the Frequently Asked Questions. For additional questions about the process, contact Ben Beaudry at Benjamin.Beaudry@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Whiting Forensic Hospital this class is accountable for the administrative and clinical supervision of a unit involving the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill offenders and violent and/or antisocial clients who are unmanageable in other psychiatric or correctional facilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Leads the planning of care and the implementation of the nursing process; 
  • Plans unit workflow and determines priorities; 
  • Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; 
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures; 
  • Provides staff training and assistance; 
  • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; 
  • Leads professional and paraprofessional staff in provision of patient/client care; 
  • Maintains and promotes standards of nursing; 
  • Identifies staff development needs; 
  • Instructs staff regarding policies and procedures; 
  • Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to promote and ensure adjustment and continuity of patient/client care programs; 
  • Responds to emergencies; 
  • Acts as liaison with operating units; 
  • Ensures that controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered; 
  • May make recommendations on policies or standards; 
  • May prepare reports and correspondence; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to independently apply psychiatric nursing principles, techniques and standards; 
    • specialized patient/client care applicable to nursing assignment; 
    • medication, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects; 
  • Knowledge of
    • policies and procedures required to maintain a maximum security environment; 
    • statutes pertaining to treatment of mentally ill offenders; 
    • general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, health planning, implementation and evaluation; 
    • and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other professionals; 
    • act as a role model to health care staff; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the care of the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.
  • 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.
  • 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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


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