Head Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Middletown, CT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is hiring two Head Nurses at Connecticut Valley Hospital in the General Psychiatry Division. The roles provide administrative and clinical supervision of professional nurses, paraprofessionals, and other staff, while supporting high-quality, patient-centered psychiatric care. The vacancies are on acute general psychiatric treatment units—Battell 3 South and Battell 2 North—each with a maximum census of 22 patients. The units provide treatment and stabilization for people living with severe and persistent mental illness, with the goal of discharge to the community in the most integrated setting possible.

The position combines working-lead responsibilities with direct nursing care. The Head Nurse leads care planning and nursing-process implementation, coordinates unit workflow and staff assignments, promotes nursing standards, supports staff development, and participates in interdisciplinary care. The role also independently assesses patients, develops and evaluates nursing or health care plans, maintains records, and provides direct clinical care. One vacancy is scheduled for first shift, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM; the other is scheduled for third shift, 11:15 PM–7:15 AM. The third-shift vacancy may be eligible for shift and weekend differentials; the first-shift vacancy may be eligible for a weekend differential. Eligible Registered Nurses permanently assigned to second or third shift may receive a yearly $3,000 recruitment and retention bonus after completing one year of service in the Registered Nurse classification; the bonus is prorated for part-time nurses.

Connecticut Valley Hospital is the state’s public psychiatric hospital and the largest facility within DMHAS, providing psychiatric and addiction services through a recovery-oriented model of care. A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required after a conditional offer of employment. The role requires a Connecticut Registered Nurse license or temporary permit, or a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license. Incumbents may be required to travel or, in designated positions, to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in American Sign Language.

Requirements

• Two years of experience as a Registered Nurse; a Bachelor’s degree in nursing may substitute for one year of this experience.
• A Connecticut Registered Nurse license or temporary permit, or a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license, which must be retained as applicable.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques, and standards, including specialized individual care applicable to the assignment.
• Knowledge of medications, their actions, interactions, uses, and side effects.
• Knowledge of general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions, including assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, health planning, implementation, and reevaluation.
• Knowledge of adult learning and family systems theory, and sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic differences.
• Considerable interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with professionals, community resources, and providers; to act as a role model to health care staff; and to supervise.
• For behavioral health nursing positions, considerable knowledge of behavioral health, skill working with individuals, groups, and families, and ability to provide therapeutic treatment.
• May be required to travel; designated positions may require fluency in a foreign language or proficiency in American Sign Language.
• May be required to lift and restrain individuals; work may involve exposure to communicable or infectious diseases, risk of injury from assaultive or abusive individuals, and disagreeable conditions.
• A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required after a conditional offer of employment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning of care and implementation of the nursing process.
• Plan unit workflow and determine priorities.
• Schedule, assign, oversee, and review work.
• Make recommendations regarding personnel actions, including selection, discipline, and performance.
• Conduct or assist with performance evaluations.
• Lead nursing and paraprofessional staff in providing patient care.
• Maintain and promote nursing standards.
• Ensure controlled drugs are properly stored, administered, and ordered.
• Identify staff development needs; provide training and assistance; and instruct staff on policies and procedures.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings to promote continuity and coordination of patient care.
• Respond to emergencies.
• Independently develop, implement, and evaluate nursing and health care plans; conduct nursing assessments; and provide admission and discharge assessments, including plans for continuing care.
• Provide direct nursing care and nursing consultation within the assigned specialty program.
• Maintain patient, medication, and other required records and prepare reports.
• Participate in individual, group, or family therapy and as an interdisciplinary team member in patient assessment and treatment planning.
• Provide clinical direction or training to staff and manage an assigned caseload or other clinical activities.
• Perform related duties as required.

Benefits

• Eligible Registered Nurses permanently assigned to second or third shift may receive a $3,000 yearly recruitment and retention bonus after one year of service in the Registered Nurse classification; prorated for part-time nurses.
• Weekend differential may be available for the first-shift vacancy.
• Shift and weekend differentials may be available for the third-shift vacancy.
• The employer describes opportunities for professional growth and development and a healthy work/life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed