THE POSITIONThe State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for the position of
Head Nurse. In addition to the existing opening, there will also be 3 anticipated vacancies.
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
- DIVISION: Hospital Services Division
- UNITS: Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 1 (PICU I), Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU ll), and the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU).
- POSITION NUMBERS: 00126080. Anticipated: 027811, 126077, 027020
- SCHEDULE:
PCN 027811
Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU)
1st shift 8am - 4:30pm, every other weekend and rotating holiday
PCN 126077
Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU)
2nd shift 4pm -12:30am, every other weekend and rotating holiday
PCN 027020
Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 1 (PICU I)
2nd shift 4pm - 12:30am, every other weekend and rotating holiday
PCN 126080
Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU ll)
1st shift 8am - 4:30pm, every other weekend and rotating holiday
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
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.
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 DUTIESWORKING 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
