Nurse

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), is recruiting a Nurse to join our Solnit South Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) in Middletown, CT.

New! We're excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• LOCATION : Middletown, CT
• SHIFT : Full-time | second shift
• POSITIONS AVAILABLE :
  • PCN 44690 | Kiwani Unit
  • Schedule: 2:45 PM - 11: 15 PM (40 hours per week)
  • Days off for each pay period:
    • Week 1: Saturday/Sunday
    • Week 2: Friday/Monday

• PCN 114112 | Quinnipiac Unit
• Schedule: 2:45 PM - 11: 15 PM (40 hours per week)
• Days off for each pay period:
  • Week 1: Friday/Monday
  • Week 2: Saturday/Sunday

BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

As a state employee, you will receive benefits, including:

• State Employee Retirement System;
• A variety of medical and dental plans;
• Sick and personal leave;
• The State of CT is an eligible Public Services Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.

Visit the State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more!


In addition, the State puts an emphasis on:

• Providing limitless opportunities;
• Hiring for diverse and fresh perspectives;
• Performing meaningful work and;
• Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.


YOUR ROLE

Nurses are vital in psychiatric settings for adolescents, providing comprehensive care, medication management, crisis intervention, emotional support, and creating a safe environment, all while working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic care.

Our Nurses are trained to assess, diagnose, and manage mental health conditions, providing holistic care that considers the individual, family, and social contexts of the adolescent. They play a key role in administering and monitoring medications, ensuring the adolescent receives the appropriate treatment and managing potential side effects.


Vital skills include providing immediate interventions during crises, de-escalating situations, and ensuring the safety of the adolescent and those around them.

More details about this position can be found within the 'Example of Duties' and the class specification.


ABOUT US

At DCF our mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter. Currently we are seeking individuals who are looking to advance their career and make a difference.

Why Join Us?
At the State of Connecticut, we are committed to encouraging a world-class work environment. This is an outstanding opportunity to work with a dedicated team that strives for excellence and continuous improvement. You will have the chance to collaborate with experienced professionals, contribute to ambitious projects, and improve your own skills and knowledge. Our organization values diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member feels supported and empowered to succeed.

START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

Selection Plan

NEW : Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!


Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT:

• Please include any related endorsements and/or certification and licensure credential details within your application.
• Be sure to select all locations you are interested in and commutable to.
• FOR THOSE WHO HOLD AN RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND DO NOT HOLD A MULTISTATE OR COMPACT REGISTERED NURSING LICENSE, AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:

1. Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;
2. Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the 'Public Health Practitioners' grouping, select 'Registered Nurse' and then 'Start';
3. Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's: Nursys® System. To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select 'SEARCH'. Review the results and select the 'Next' button. Check the box next to 'Connecticut' and complete the transaction. Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH. Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys. Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
• 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.
• 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:

• NEW : 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
• 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 Samantha Rivera at View email address on click.appcast.io

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!


PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)


In a state agency this class is accountable for providing a full range of professional nursing care.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • and ability to apply professional nursing theory, practice and ethics;
  • current medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects;
  • medical, therapeutic and psychiatric nursing interventions and methods;
  • and ability to apply quality standards, procedures and protocols;
  • and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic difference;
  • and ability to apply clinical therapeutic models of individual care with emphasis on interdisciplinary team approach;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • act as a role model to health care staff by demonstrating and teaching professional behaviors;
  • learn specialized individual care applicable to work assignment;
  • listen and provide empathetic assistance to individuals and families in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments;
  • develop therapeutic relationships with individuals, 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE


Graduation from an accredited nursing program.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS


Experience in a psychiatric setting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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.
• 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS


Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals; may have exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive/abusive individuals; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.


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.