Nurse (40 Hour) Office/On-site

Introduction Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? THE POSITION The State of Connecticut , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Nurse . NEW! We're excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit the Nurse Licensure Compact for more details. HIGHLIGHTS FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) LOCATION: Bridgeport, CT UNIT: Regional Forensic Services POSITION NUMBER: 00155332 SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 hours per week, first shift; Monday – Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities A healthy work/life balance to all employees This position is eligible for shift and weekend differentials DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO Engage in a rewarding career; Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; Assist our clients so they can achieve success; Make a difference in the public sector; Work together in a collaborative team environment. Our Mission 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. The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment 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 Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license; Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’; 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. 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 . 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 Anamaria Giangarra 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 the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation Experience working with individuals and families from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds Experience with mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, health planning, implementation and re-evaluation Experience working in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field with individuals who are forensically involved Experience working independently apply nursing principles, techniques and standards Experience applying interpersonal, verbal and written communication with individuals, groups and families Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other professionals, community resources and providers 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr