Director Of Nursing 1

About the job

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDo you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you ready to take the next step in your career?� If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking a dynamic and experienced nursing leader to guide and inspire our dedicated team in the position of Director of Nursing 1.��\r\n\r\n\r\nYou will provide both strategic oversight and hands-on clinical leadership, supporting our nursing supervisors and their teams to deliver exceptional patient care. In this role, you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by shaping nursing practices, fostering professional growth, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPOSITION HIGHLIGHTS:\r\n\r\n\r\n Facility: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)\r\n Unit: Both WFH Buildings\r\n Location: Middletown, CT\r\n Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, 2nd Shift\r\n The schedule is four 10-hour shifts per week, 4:00pm - 2:30am. Every other weekend with occasional holidays and on call responsibilities.\r\n PCN: 145890\r\n Please Note: This is a Hazardous Duty position.\r\n\r\nNew!��We’re excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. ��Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU��\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees\r\n \r\n DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:\r\n \r\n \r\n Engage in a rewarding career;\r\n Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;\r\n Thrive in an exciting environment;\r\n Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;\r\n Work together in a collaborative team environment.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n MORE ABOUT US:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n 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.�\r\n \r\n \r\n Whiting Forensic Hospital specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. Services are provided to individuals who are admitted via Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) commitment, criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, civil commitment or transfer from the Department of Correction. Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds.�\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Please note:\r\n A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.\r\n All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.�\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n

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:\r\n\r\n Review the�eligibility and documentation requirements�for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;\r\n Complete a�CT DPH online application�online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’;\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our�Applicant Toolkit�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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. �\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n 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.”\r\n 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).� �\r\n\r\n\r\n 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!�\r\n 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.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue 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�Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans Affairs this class is accountable for directing nursing services or other clinical services.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n\r\n Directs or assists with direction of staff and operation of nursing/clinical department;�\r\n Directs or assists with planning and managing of nursing/clinical activities;\r\n Develops or assists with formulation of program goals and objectives;\r\n Develops or assists in development of related policy incorporating current nursing/clinical research and professionally recognized standards;\r\n Develops or assists in development and implementation of plans for care;\r\n Interprets and administers pertinent laws;\r\n Evaluates staff;\r\n Prepares or assists in preparation of budget;\r\n Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of department who might impact on program activities;\r\n Makes rounds to determine quality of nursing care;\r\n Assures optimal quality of care is provided in a safe environment;\r\n Develops and/or implements effective ongoing programs to measure, assess and improve quality of nursing care, treatment and services delivered to patients;\r\n Oversees programming for facility personnel to improve knowledge and practices of infection control;\r\n Develops productive work teams; intervenes in crisis situations and investigates all unusual incidents;\r\n Protects human and civil rights of patients and/or clients and staff;\r\n Compiles data and prepares periodic reports;\r\n Leads and participates in meetings;\r\n Responsible for coordinating and providing twenty-four hour nursing coverage for facility or assigned unit(s);\r\n Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;\r\n May provide direct patient and/or client care;\r\n May speak on behalf of nursing/clinical services;\r\n May oversee other disciplines including but not limited to pharmacy, respiratory therapy or social work;\r\n May participate in strategic planning;\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n\r\n\r\n Considerable knowledge of�nursing principles and practices in appropriate specialty;\r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n and ability to apply management principles and practices;\r\n and ability to develop strategic plans;\r\n behavioral health nursing;\r\n nursing administration;\r\n interviewing and counseling techniques;\r\n principles and practices of infection control related to infections and preventable diseases;\r\n current developments in field of nursing including current complexities of the healthcare industry;\r\n trend variance analysis;\r\n governmental accounting and budgeting;\r\n marketing;\r\n \r\n \r\n Considerable\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;\r\n oral and written communication skills.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a health care organization and/or facility or hospital nursing.\r\nNote:� For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Supervising Nurse.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n BSN, MSN or MHA preferred.\r\n Experience in leading projects in support of quality\r\n patient care.\r\n Experience demonstrating commitment to ANA Nursing\r\n Leadership Standards.\r\n Experience taking initiative to lead teams in\r\n alignment with organization mission and strategic plan.\r\n Experience guiding CQIP initiatives through the PDCA\r\n cycle.\r\n Experience using written and verbal communication to\r\n effectively engage staff, leadership, and external partners.\r\n Experience utilizing organizational skills to\r\n effectively manage multiple priorities in a healthcare environment.\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n\r\n\r\n Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.\r\n Incumbents in this class serving in the capacity of the Nurse Executive are required to possess a master's degree in nursing, social or behavioral science, public health administration, health care administration, hospital administration or a related field.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. \r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.\r\n\r\n\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n