STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Head Nurse (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #260511-4356FL-001

Introduction

Banner that reads Connecticut Mental Health and Addiction Services
Are you an experienced Registered Nurse looking to advance your career in community mental 
Join our mission-driven team and apply today! 

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a Head Nurse to join our team and help advance high-quality, recovery-oriented behavioral health services within our community. In this leadership role, you will provide clinical guidance, nursing oversight, and support coordinated care within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: 
  • DIVISION: Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA)
  • LOCATION: Norwich, CT
  • UNIT: Wellness Recovery Advocacy Program (WRAP)
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours per week), First Shift, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday
  • POSITION NUMBER: 25933
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

  • Lead and support a multidisciplinary team delivering community-based, recovery-oriented services
  • Strengthen client outcomes through coordinated, person-centered nursing and clinical oversight
  • Play a vital leadership role in public behavioral health and make a meaningful impact in the community
  • Foster collaboration, communication, and best practices across a dedicated and supportive care team
ABOUT US:
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.

SMHA is a community mental health agency operated by DMHAS. Its primary goal is to provide high quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns. Services, which include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services, are recovery oriented and offered in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive manner. We support individuals to identify and achieve their own goals in recovery, fostering independence, dignity, and ability.

ABOUT THE UNIT:
The Wellness Recovery Advocacy Program (WRAP) is a recovery-oriented, multi-disciplinary Community Support Program (CSP) with a team consisting of a prescriber, nurses, social workers, and rehabilitative staff. The program provides intensive, rehabilitative community support, crisis intervention, individual/group psycho-education, peer support, medication management, linkages to other community-based providers/services, coordination of services/care, and individualized skill building in activities of daily living in order to maximize each individual’s level of independence and functioning. The majority of services are provided to clients in the community and are personalized to meet the clients’ expressed needs/preferences.

Please note:
Career Progression starting with Nurse (RN), then Head Nurse (which is circled to indicate the role), and ending with Supervising Nurse

Selection Plan

FOR THOSE WHO HOLD AN RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND DO NOT HOLD A MULTISTATE OR COMPACT REGISTERED NURSING LICENSE, AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:

  1. Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;
  2. Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’;
  3. Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s : Nursys® System.  To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select ‘SEARCH’.  Review the results and select the ‘Next’ button.  Check the box next to  ‘Connecticut’ and complete the transaction.   Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH.  Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys.  Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
  • For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for administrative and clinical supervision of professional nurses, paraprofessionals and other staff involving direct nursing care of individuals or performing specialized professional nursing work in the areas of community or therapeutic nursing. At the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities or Connecticut Technical Education and Career System this class is accountable for providing primary nursing care for students and facility staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Provide clinical leadership and team nursing support within the Community Support Program (CSP) fidelity model
  • Supervise and guide professional nurses, paraprofessionals, and other staff delivering community‑based and therapeutic nursing services
  • Oversee daily nursing operations, ensuring high‑quality, recovery‑oriented care
  • Monitor medications and ensure accuracy, safety, and compliance
  • Complete health screens when clients are seen by the prescriber
  • Manage controlled medication inventory in accordance with state and agency standards
  • Support readiness for Joint Commission inspections and ongoing compliance
  • Provide training and mentorship to nursing and support staff
  • Lead and contribute to collaborative recovery planning with clients and the team
  • Coordinate care with primary care physicians and other medical providers
  • Perform medication reconciliations and follow‑up care
  • Collaborate with hospitals on patient transitions and continuity of care
  • Facilitate daily team meetings and support effective multidisciplinary communication
  • Ensure integrated, person‑centered care across all services
  • Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques and standards;
    • specialized individual care applicable to nursing assignment;
    • medications, 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;
    • adult learning and family systems theory;
    • 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, community resources and providers;
    • act as a role model to health care staff;
  • Supervisory ability.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NURSING POSITIONS:
  • Considerable knowledge of behavioral health of individuals;
  • Skill working with individuals, groups and families;
  • Ability to provide therapeutic treatment with a variety of individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Nurse

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working with clients with severe and persistent mental health issues and substance abuse issues
  • Experience working with clients in community settings (i.e., client's homes, homeless shelter)
  • Experience providing medication monitoring to clients with psychotic disorders
  • Experience working on a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience communicating with PCP offices, visiting nursing, and home health care agencies

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals; may have exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive/abusive individuals; 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.

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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