Introduction

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 (DMHAS) 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.
Schedule
- Full‑time, 35 hours per week
- First shift, WFH Dutcher 3 South
- Week 1 off: Saturday, Sunday, Thursday
- Week 2 off: Friday, Tuesday
Position Highlights
- Ensures therapeutic relationships and safe custody of patients on the assigned unit and shift
- Implements nursing care and treatment plans and provides lead guidance to Forensic Treatment Specialists
- Accurately observes, documents, and reports patient behavior and activities
- Supervises security procedures and responds to unauthorized movement or adverse security conditions
- Participates in patient management, including taking vital signs and performing trained clinical tasks
- Other duties as assigned
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 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.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
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 Ben Beaudry at Benjamin.Beaudry@CT.Gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
At Whiting Forensic Hospital under established security conditions this class is accountable for leading lower level staff in the development and maintenance of an effective therapeutic environment for patients on a unit.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- On an assigned unit on a particular shift ensures proper
development and maintenance of therapeutic relationships and safe custody of
patients;
- Assists in orientation of Forensic Treatment Specialists;
- Implements nursing care and treatment plans through active
participation in patient care conferences and by exercising lead responsibility
over Forensic Treatment Specialists;
- Accurately observes and reports patient activities and behavior;
- Effectively supervises and implements security regulations;
- Observes, reports and corrects adverse security conditions
including unauthorized movement of patients, visitors and staff;
- Takes vital signs;
- Supervises and may participate in patient management on units;
- After proper training may prepare and administer medication other
than controlled substances and perform first aid procedures;
- May assist in planning and implementation of patient activities
programs;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- psychiatric procedures, patient behavior and principles involved
in care of the mentally ill;
- modern medical, therapeutic and psychiatric routines, methods and
procedures;
- procedures used in safe custody of patients under security
conditions;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to
- lead staff;
- observe and report patient behavior and reactions;
- perform basic first aid procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of experience as a Forensic Treatment Specialist.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the checking of references and facts stated in the application a thorough character investigation of each candidate will be made. Candidates who do not have good character are not eligible for permanent employment.
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.