Registered Nurse (RN) license in Connecticut or eligibility for licensure
Experience in behavioral health or psychiatric nursing preferred
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams
Knowledge of psychiatric and substance use disorders
Commitment to patient-centered care
Flexibility to work various shifts and locations
Responsibilities
Provide nursing care for behavioral health patients
Collaborate with team members to enhance patient care
Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments
Develop individualized care plans focusing on stabilization and recovery
Administer medications and document treatment plans
Educate and counsel patients on health issues
Respond to emergencies and ensure quality care
Benefits
Professional growth and development opportunities
Healthy work/life balance
Potential for shift and weekend differentials
Recruitment and retention bonus for second and third shifts
Comprehensive medical examination and drug screening required for employment
Full Job Description
THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is now hiring for multiple Nurses to join their team! Join our specialized behavioral health nursing team and directly enhance the well-being and recovery of our patients.
HIGHLIGHTS
FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
UNIT: Addiction Services Division (ASD) and General Psychiatry Division (GPD)
SHIFTS AVAILABLE: First, Second, Third, and Weekends
NOTE: These positions can be assigned any unit/location and work schedule/shift throughout ASD, GDP
*Some positions may be eligible for shift and/or weekend differentials, depending on the assigned schedule.
New! We're excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.
FOR SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT POSITIONS - YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS:
Each Registered Nurse who is permanently assigned to the second or third shift shall receive a "recruitment and retention" yearly bonus of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00).
This bonus shall be pro-rated for part-time Registered Nurses.
In order to be eligible for this bonus, the Employee must have completed one year of service in the registered nurse classification.
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
*Benefits may vary or not apply for certain part-time positions.
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
Provide nursing care for behavioral health patients within the nursing scope of practice;
Collaborate with interprofessional team members to provide patient excellence in care and treatments;
Provide substantial input regarding patient care needs;
Complete comprehensive, person-centered nursing assessments to develop individualized care plans for individuals managing acute psychiatric and substance use needs, focusing on stabilization and recovery goals; and
Provide direct patient care that includes education, counseling, medication administration and documentation of the treatment plan and ongoing interventions of care.
NOTE:
Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Nurse should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.
Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.
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
SALARY INFORMATION:
Part-Time: $40.20 - $52.63/hour (Commensurate with education and/or experience)
Full-Time: $83,918 - $109,884/year (Commensurate with education and/or experience)
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:
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.
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.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy: Refer to General Letter No. 195 - Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Vacancy Filling Process.
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 DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
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 www.ct.gov/ethics.
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;
