Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Middletown, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is hiring two Registered Nurses for the Admissions and Screening unit at Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown. The Admissions and Screening Registered Nurse conducts clinical screenings of people seeking admission to substance use disorder treatment, assesses clinical appropriateness for the requested level of care, and evaluates substance use, withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric conditions, medications, and safety concerns. The nurse collaborates with referral sources, medical providers, and interdisciplinary treatment teams to support timely, safe access to treatment and appropriate admission decisions.

The positions are full-time, 40 hours per week, on the second shift from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. One position works Monday through Friday; the other has alternating regular days off: Saturday and Sunday in Week 1, and Friday and Tuesday in Week 2. The positions are based at Connecticut Valley Hospital, 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, Connecticut.

The position is part of a job class accountable for providing a full range of professional nursing care. Nurses independently implement the nursing process, assess individuals, monitor and document care, administer and maintain medications, respond to emergencies, and may participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and related clinical services.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
• Must possess and retain a Connecticut Registered Nurse license or temporary permit, or hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional nursing theory, practice, and ethics; medications and their actions, interactions, uses, and side effects; medical, therapeutic, and psychiatric nursing interventions; and quality standards, procedures, and protocols.
• Ability to apply clinical therapeutic models of individual care with an interdisciplinary team approach and sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic differences.
• Interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Ability to respond to emergencies, analyze and evaluate care and treatment, develop therapeutic relationships, and provide empathetic assistance to individuals and families.
• A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required upon a conditional offer of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in substance use disorder treatment, addiction medicine, behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, emergency services, or withdrawal management/detoxification.
• Experience conducting clinical screenings, nursing assessments, triage, or admission evaluations.
• Experience applying clinical assessment, critical thinking, and evidence-based decision-making to manage patient care.
• Experience independently prioritizing multiple referrals and making timely clinical recommendations.
• Experience communicating professionally with hospitals, emergency departments, community providers, patients, families, and other referral sources.
• Experience providing trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical screenings and nursing assessments of potential patients referred for substance use disorder treatment.
• Assess clinical appropriateness for admission and the requested level of care using established admission criteria, clinical protocols, and ASAM-informed principles.
• Evaluate substance use history, withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric conditions, medications, and behavioral and safety concerns.
• Review relevant medical records, laboratory results, medication information, and other clinical documentation.
• Identify medical, psychiatric, or withdrawal-related concerns requiring additional evaluation or consultation before admission.
• Communicate with hospitals, emergency departments, community providers, and other referral sources to obtain clinical information.
• Make timely admission recommendations within nursing scope, admission criteria, and organizational protocols.
• Collaborate with medical, nursing, admissions, and interdisciplinary clinical staff regarding complex referrals.
• Coordinate accepted admissions and facilitate placement into the appropriate level of care.
• Complete screening and admission documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable policies and regulations.
• Support efficient patient flow, timely access to treatment, and appropriate utilization of treatment capacity.
• Implement the nursing process and carry out physician orders regarding diet, medication, and treatment.
• Monitor and ensure quality care through observation and evaluation, and report individuals’ physiological and mental health status.
• Document nursing interventions, maintain records and reports, and distribute and secure controlled drugs.
• Instruct individuals, staff, and family members about treatments, nursing plans, and related care issues.
• Respond to emergencies and help maintain the availability of medications and supplies and the cleanliness of equipment and the environment.
• May participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, formulate and implement nursing care plans, administer routine tests, conduct training, delegate nursing tasks, and participate in psychotherapeutic or rehabilitation interventions.

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance.
• Positions may be eligible for shift and/or weekend differential.
• Registered Nurses permanently assigned to second or third shift may receive a $3,000 yearly recruitment and retention bonus after completing one year of service in the Registered Nurse classification; the bonus is prorated for part-time nurses.

What This Job Offers

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