Forensic Nurse (Multiple Positions)

State of Connecticut • Middletown, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is hiring Forensic Nurses for Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH) in Middletown, CT. These positions involve providing professional nursing services to mentally ill offenders and patients who are unmanageable in other settings. The role requires implementing the nursing process, direct patient care, medication management, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. The hospital is a maximum and enhanced security facility serving individuals committed via various legal statuses. New hires may be on temporary assignments initially, with permanent assignments determined within the first six months. These are Hazardous Duty positions.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
• Possess and retain a license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.
• Ability to act as a role model to health care staff by demonstrating and teaching professional behaviors.
• Learn specialized patient/client care applicable to work assignment.
• Listen and provide empathetic assistance to patients/clients and families in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients/clients and their caregivers.
• Respond to emergencies.
• Respond to and seek supervision.
• Encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust and group identity to foster commitment and team work.
• Analyze and evaluate proper care and treatment.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in a foreign language or proficiency in the use of the American Sign Language in certain designated positions.

Responsibilities

• Independently implements the nursing process with patients/clients including carrying out physicians' orders regarding diet, medication and treatment.
• Makes ward rounds and gives direct care.
• Takes and records vital signs.
• Changes dressings.
• Checks and distributes controlled drugs.
• Maintains availability of drugs and supplies.
• Observes adequacy of housekeeping and maintenance services.
• Performs first aid and alerts physicians to emergency conditions.
• Records observations of physical and physiological status and actions taken.
• Confers with nurses and physicians on other shifts regarding condition of patients/clients.
• Assesses patients/clients medical-psychosocial needs.
• Works collaboratively with members of an interdisciplinary team in planning direct care.
• Formulates and implements nursing care plans.
• Evaluates nursing actions taken and modifies and/or revises nursing interventions based on patient/client need and response.
• Teaches skills of self care to patients/clients.
• Protects human and civil rights of patients/clients and staff.
• Educates patients/clients and their families towards an awareness and understanding of health, illness and medication usage.
• Maintains records and reports.
• May participate in bathing and feeding of patients/clients.
• May assist in physical examinations and histories.
• May administer electrocardiogram (EKG) and eye examinations.
• May assist in design and collection of data for research projects.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV)
• Retire in 25 years - with pension & healthcare benefits
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• Additional compensation bonus for second and third shift positions ($3,000.00 yearly, pro-rated for part-time, eligible after one year of service)
• Benefits may vary or not apply for certain part-time positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree