Nurse (Multi-Correctional Facility)(All DOC Locations)

Introduction

Are you passionate about helping others and making a difference?

If so, we have several terrific opportunities for you!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC), invites you to discover these outstanding opportunities as a Registered Nursein one of our many facility locations throughout the State.

DOC is seeking highly motivated individuals to deliver care for our inmate population and assist them in their rehabilitation. Join a practice of nursing and delivery of patient care within the unique and distinct environment of the criminal justice system. Correctional nursing practice is focused independent practice and autonomy.

Whether you are an experienced nurse or a recent graduate, you will apply your nursing knowledge, skills and abilities to assess, plan, implement and evaluate a full range of health conditions and determine both the urgency and priority of care delivery. Our orientation programs give you the knowledge and confidence to practice in a correctional environment as a professional nurse. Our in-service programs provide nurses with the opportunity to maintain clinical skills and learn new skills to advance patient care.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

The State of Connecticut offers competitive pay to nurses in addition to an abundance of benefits.

What we can offer you:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview Page!
• A Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV)
• Generous time off (personal, sick and vacation)
• Retire in 25 years - with pension & healthcare benefits
• Comprehensive Benefit Offerings along with additional supplemental benefits
• A challenging yet rewarding experience

Additional Benefits:

• We offer career mobility - get paid to go to school (5 year work requirement)
• Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months
• Nursing licensure reimbursement
• Conference and workshop funds allotment $1,500.00 (travel, food, lodging)
• Meal allowance per shift
• Accruals sick time/vacation time/ personal time
• 2nd and 3rd shift differential/weekend differential
• Recruitment and retention bonuses for RN’s on 2nd & 3rd shift $3,000 yearly.
• NEW: Opportunity to participate in the Connecticut Student Loan Repayment Program

JOB DETAILS

We are hiring for full-time positions at all of our facility locations on, first, second, and third shifts, throughout the state.

NOTE: Current DOC permanent employees should not apply. Permanent DOC employee transfers will be handled through the DOC Lateral Transfer Agreement. Positions through this posting are permanent positions with temporary assignments. Permanent assignments will be completed at a later date after the agency transfer list has been cleared.

These positions are in the following facilities and can be assigned any unit/location and work schedule/shift:

• Bridgeport Correctional Center - Bridgeport, CT
• Cheshire Correctional Institution - Cheshire, CT
• Manson Youth Institution - Cheshire, CT
• York Correctional Institution - East Lyme, CT
• Cybulski Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT
• Carl Robinson Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT
• Hartford Correctional Center - Hartford, CT
• Corrigan Correctional Center - Montville, CT
• New Haven Correctional Center - New Haven, CT
• Garner Correctional Institution - Newtown, CT
• Osborn Correctional Institution - Somers, CT
• MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution - Suffield, CT

NEW! 12 hour shifts are available at the following locations (rotating weekends and holidays):

• MacDougall-Walker CI, Osborn CI, and York CI: 7:00am-7:00pm, 7:00pm-7:00am
• New Haven CC: 8:00am–8:00 pm, 8:00 pm–8:00 am
  

Carl Robinson CI, Cheshire CI, MacDougall-Walker CI, Manson YI, Osborn CI, Cybulski CI, and York CI schedules are (rotating weekends and holidays):

• First Shift: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Second Shift: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
• Third Shift: 11:00 pm - 7:00 am

Bridgeport CC, Corrigan CC, Hartford CC, Garner CI, and New Haven CC schedules are (rotating weekends and holidays):

• First Shift: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Second Shift: 4:00 pm - 12:00 am
• Third Shift: 12:00 am - 8:00 am

Key duties of this position include:

• Independently assess patients, develop a nursing diagnosis, develop and implement a treatment plan, and provide patient education and self-care through the nursing sick call process
• Perform health screenings and makes triage decisions contributing to the health and safety of patients
• Collaborate with multiple disciplines: custody, medical, mental health, dental and other health care support professionals
• Play a key role in the identification, treatment and control of the transmission of infections
• Provide nursing care to special populations such as women's health, juvenile health, end-of-life care, mental health, infirmary care
• Participate in a multidisciplinary team in providing chronic disease management by coordinating and managing chronic disease care
• Advance quality, patient safety and a culture of safety by volunteering as a nurse educator, preceptor; participate in facility-based quality and best practices committees
• Respond and participation in emergency care delivery
• Perform related duties as required (see "Examples of Duties" section below)

HEAR FROM OUR EMPLOYEES

Mara Scott, a Supervising Nurse for the Connecticut Department of Correction, discusses her advancement from a Nurse to a Head Nurse Supervisor in the DOC, the abundance of opportunities Corrections has to offer, and the family-like atmosphere among DOC staff.
Janine Brennan, a Registered Nurse for the Connecticut Department of Correction, talks about why she joined the DOC, how State of Connecticut benefits have positively impacted her life, and what measures are in place to keep correctional staff safe.

Our Mission: The Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.

Selection Plan

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 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:

• 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.

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 Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Correction this class is accountable for providing professional nursing and/or mental health care to inmates and assisting in their rehabilitation or providing targeted infection control services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

HEALTH SERVICES

• Independently implements nursing process with inmates including carrying out physicians’ 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 inmates;
• Documents nursing interventions on medical records;
• Distributes and maintains records of controlled drugs and insures their security;
• Maintains records and makes reports;
• Makes decisions in routine cases;
• Instructs inmates and staff regarding treatments, nursing plans and related inmate 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 provide pre-certification for and coordination of inmates admitted to and discharged from acute care facilities;
• May formulate and implement nursing care plans;
• May administer routine tests;
• May conduct training;
• May delegate nursing tasks consistent with established protocols;
• May participate in psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation interventions;
• May conduct daily sick call;
• May physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correctional staff in emergencies;
• May provide related medical or mental health specialty services;
• Performs related duties as required.

INFECTION CONTROL

• Independently implements infection control services with inmates;
• Performs infection control assessments;
• Provides infection prevention and control education and training to inmates;
• Responds to emergencies;
• Conducts health record chart reviews;
• Reviews tracking systems for HIV, TB and other infectious diseases;
• Monitors incidences of infections including TB, MRSA and other infectious diseases;
• Analyzes trends over time and across system;
• Assesses inmates for knowledge of infection control and prevention;
• Identifies inmates nearing re-entry date for participation in re-entry infection prevention education programs;
• Identifies community-based infection prevention resources;
• Develops informational materials about community-based programs and disseminates to re-entry population;
• Maintains records and makes reports;
• May develop infection prevention curriculum and educational material for inmate education;
• May physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correctional staff in emergencies;
• 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;
  • teaching, counseling and evaluation principles and techniques;
• 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 inmate care applicable to work assignment;
  • listen and provide empathetic assistance to inmates in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments;
  • develop therapeutic relationships with inmates 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;
  • interview;
  • develop curricula.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit as a Registered Professional Nurse in Connecticut.
• Candidates may be required to have experience working with adolescents or in women's health or mental health care.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must possess general good health and retain sufficient stamina, agility and visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all duties of the class. Incumbents are required to pass a physical examination.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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