Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Middletown, CT

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking dynamic and experienced Nurses to join their team. The Admissions and Screening Registered Nurse will conduct clinical screenings of potential patients seeking admission to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services and assess clinical appropriateness for the requested level of care. The RN evaluates substance use, withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric conditions, medications, and safety concerns to support timely and appropriate admission decisions. The RN collaborates with referral sources, medical providers, and interdisciplinary treatment teams to facilitate safe and efficient access to treatment. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week. New! Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. For second and third shift positions, an additional compensation bonus of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) per year may be approved for nurses permanently assigned to these shifts, pro-rated for part-time nurses, after completing one year of service. The State offers professional growth and development opportunities and a healthy work/life balance.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
• 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.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional nursing theory, practice and ethics.
• Knowledge of current medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects.
• Knowledge of medical, therapeutic and psychiatric nursing interventions and methods.
• Ability to apply quality standards, procedures and protocols.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic difference.
• Ability to apply clinical therapeutic models of individual care with emphasis on interdisciplinary team approach.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to act as a role model to health care staff by demonstrating and teaching professional behaviors.
• Ability to learn specialized individual care applicable to work assignment.
• Ability to listen and provide empathetic assistance to individuals and families in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments.
• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with individuals, and their caregivers.
• Ability to respond to emergencies.
• Ability to respond to and seek supervision.
• Ability to encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride trust and group identity to foster commitment and team work.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate proper care and treatment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in clinical environments involving substance use disorders, addiction medicine, behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, emergency services, or withdrawal management/detoxification.
• Experience conducting clinical screenings, nursing assessments, triage, or admission evaluations.
• Experience conducting clinical assessments and exercising critical thinking and sound clinical decision-making.
• Experience independently prioritizing multiple referrals offering timely, clinically appropriate recommendations.
• Experience engaging in professional communication across diverse settings, including hospitals, emergency departments, community providers, patients, families and other referral sources.
• Experience delivering trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical screenings and nursing assessments of potential patients referred for SUD 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 prior to admission.
• Communicate with hospitals, emergency departments, community providers, and other referral sources to obtain necessary clinical information.
• Make timely admission recommendations within established 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 compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable policies and regulations.
• Support efficient patient flow, timely access to treatment, and appropriate utilization of available treatment capacity.
• Independently implements the nursing process with individuals including carrying out physician's orders regarding diet, medication and treatment.
• Performs assessments.
• Changes dressings.
• Monitors and ensures quality care through observation and evaluation.
• Reports on physiological and mental health status of individuals.
• Documents nursing interventions on medical records.
• Distributes and maintains records of controlled drugs and ensures their security.
• Maintains records and makes reports.
• Makes decisions in routine cases.
• Instructs individuals, staff and family members regarding treatments, nursing plans and related individual care issues directed towards an awareness and understanding of health/mental health issues.
• Responds to emergencies.
• Maintains availability of medications and supplies.
• Ensures cleanliness of equipment and environment.
• May participate as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team in the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of individual's treatment or health/mental health care plans.
• May formulate and implement nursing care plans.
• May participate in outpatient clinics and assist in physical examinations.
• May administer routine tests.
• May conduct training.
• May delegate nursing tasks consistent with established protocols.
• May participate in psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation interventions.
• May physically restrain individuals.
• May provide related medical or mental health specialty services.
• May serve as Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Additional compensation bonus of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) per year for nurses permanently assigned to the second or third shift, pro-rated for part-time nurses, after completing one year of service.

What This Job Offers

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