Head Nurse (40 Hour)

Introduction

Are looking for an exciting opportunity to make an impact and advance your career?

Join us and be part of a revolutionary team shaping the future!

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is now hiring for a Head Nurse within the Young Adult Services (YAS) Team!

HIGHLIGHTS

• FACILITY: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
• UNIT: Young Adult Services (YAS)
• LOCATION: 95 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT
• SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• POSITION NUMBER: 75649

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

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Provide culturally sensitive treatment to the young adult clients ages 18-25 years old;
• Work collaboratively with clients and other programs to increase natural supports and achieve community integration;
• Work with clients and team members in the development of individualized recovery plans and supporting documentation;
• Participate in and coordinate provider meetings, clinical rounds, case conferences, critical incident reviews and other meetings as indicated;
• Work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, perform functional assessments, and possess computer technology skills;
• Perform frequent risk assessments plans and thoroughly communicate updates to the team;
• Provide clients with individual education and support to develop an understanding of medication, their illness, substance use, hygiene, and interpersonal skills;
• Facilitate psychoeducation or skill building groups as well as provides limited individual and family counseling, psychoeducation for clients and families regarding medical conditions, psychiatric diagnoses, and medications as needed; and
• Document all care and care coordination for clients in the medical record in a timely manner.

ABOUT US

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.


WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect.


Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness. Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.


PLEASE NOTE

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
• All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Selection Plan

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 Toolkit 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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• 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:

• 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

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 Jensine Tran 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 administrative and clinical supervision of professional nurses, paraprofessionals and other staff involving direct nursing care of individuals or performing specialized professional nursing work in the areas of community or therapeutic nursing. At the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities or Connecticut Technical Education and Career System this class is accountable for providing primary nursing care for students and facility staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

WORKING LEAD:

• Leads the planning of care and implementation of the nursing process;
• Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;
• Makes recommendations for personnel actions such as selection, discipline and performance;
• Conducts or assist in conducting performance evaluations;
• Leads professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in provision of patient/individual care;
• Maintains and promotes standards of nursing;
• Ensures controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered;
• Identifies staff development needs;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Instructs staff regarding policies and procedures;
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to promote and ensure adjustment and continuity of patient/individual care programs;
• Responds to emergencies;
• May make recommendations on policies and standards;
• May prepare reports or correspondence;
• May serve as Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP);
• Performs related duties as required.

DIRECT CARE:

• Independently develops, implements and evaluates nursing and/or health care plans;
• Provides nursing consultation in the assigned specialty program;
• Conducts nursing assessments;
• Provides admission and discharge nursing assessments including plans for continuing care;
• Maintains records and makes reports;
• Provides for nursing services to comply with intermediate care facility (ICF) regulations and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards;
• Maintains records of stored and secured medications;
• Ensures controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered;
• Independently manages and provides direct care to patients/individuals;
• Participates in individual, group or family therapy;
• Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team in the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of patient/individual treatment or health care plans;
• Manages an assigned caseload of other appropriate clinical activities;
• Provides clinical direction and/or training to staff in individual, group and family service delivery programs;
• May participate in home visits and crisis intervention;
• May provide in-service training to nursing and paraprofessional staff with regard to signs and symptoms of illness, dysfunction, injury and prevention of same;
• May conduct patient/individual- centered conferences with nursing personnel; may consult with and make recommendations to physicians concerning health needs;
• May make recommendations on policies or standards;
• May prepare reports or correspondence;
• May serve as Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP);
• Performs related duties as required.

SCHOOL NURSE:

• Independently provides counseling and health education services to students and staff;
• Serves as member of crisis intervention team;
• Provides assessment of medical problems;
• Determines need for physician or medical care;
• Performs basic evaluative procedures and tests;
• Performs primary first aid;
• Ensures that controlled drugs are properly stored;
• Makes referrals and follows up on health needs;
• Provides counseling on health- related issues;
• Maintains accurate medical records;
• Writes reports;
• May administer medication;
• May administer routine tests or exams;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques and standards;
  • specialized individual care applicable to nursing assignment;
  • medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects;
• Knowledge of
  • general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, health planning, implementation and re-evaluation;
  • adult learning and family systems theory;
  • and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other professionals, community resources and providers;
  • act as a role model to health care staff;
• Supervisory ability.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NURSING POSITIONS:

• Considerable knowledge of behavioral health of individuals;
• Skill working with individuals, groups and families;
• Ability to provide therapeutic treatment with a variety of individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE


Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Nurse


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED


A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in understanding developmental stages and delivering appropriate treatment interventions for young adults ages 18-25
• Experience in providing trauma sensitive services and coordinating responsive care for clients in crisis
• Experience in facilitating psychoeducation and skill building groups
• Experience in using strong interpersonal skills and clear written communication in daily practice
• Experience in managing risk and supporting safety needs in fast paced, high-energy environments
• Experience in applying integrative care approaches within client services

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.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS


In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for permanent appointment.


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.