Head Nurse

Introduction Are you a Correctional Nurse looking for an opportunity to grow your career with the State of Connecticut? The Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking to fill two (2) Head Nurse positions for our Somers and Suffield facilities. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain leadership skills, supervise fellow RN's and LPN's We invite our current DOC employees to apply. Position Highlights Facility: MacDougall Walker Correctional Institution, Suffield, CT – Schedule: First shift, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, every other weekend, rotating holidays. Facility: Osborn Correctional Institution, Somers, CT – Schedule: Second shift, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM, every other weekend, rotating holidays. Every other weekend with rotating holidays (72 hours bi‑weekly). Please select your facility location and schedule preferences within your application. Your Role The Head Nurse is accountable for the supervision and administration of an assigned nursing, mental health, or related specialty unit, including direction and coordination of staff to ensure the highest quality of nursing and/or mental health care for the inmate population. Mission The Department of Correction strives 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. Responsibilities Health Services Lead planning of care and implementation of the nursing process. Coordinate nursing and/or mental health unit workflow. Determine priorities. Schedule, assign, oversee, and review work. Establish and maintain unit procedures. Identify staff development needs. Provide staff training and assistance. Conduct or assist in conducting performance evaluations. Ensure controlled drugs are properly stored, administered, and ordered. Lead professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in the provision of inmate general and mental health care. Instruct staff regarding policies and procedures. Maintain and promote standards of nursing. Act as liaison with other operating units, agencies, and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures. Participate in interdisciplinary meetings. Make recommendations on policies or standards. Prepare reports and correspondence. Physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances, and assist mental health and correction staff in emergencies. Perform related duties as required. Infection Control Lead planning and implementation of infection control services for correctional inmates and individuals re‑entering the community. Assure quality performance in implementation of infection control program by contracted health care provider. Provide education and training to inmates on infection prevention and control. Monitor and ensure quality care through observation and evaluation. Maintain records and make reports. Develop infection prevention curriculum and educational materials for inmate education. Physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances, and assist mental health and correction staff in emergencies. Perform related duties as required. Knowledge, Skills and Ability Considerable knowledge of and ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques and standards; medication actions, interactions, uses and side effects. Knowledge of general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions; emergency and operating room nursing procedures; teaching, counseling and evaluation principles. Considerable interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; ability to act as a role model to health care staff; supervisory ability. Minimum Qualifications – General Experience Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Nurse. Minimum Qualifications – Substitutions Allowed A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of general experience. Special Requirements Incumbents must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut or hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license. Candidates may be required to have experience working with adolescents, women’s health, or mental health care. Fluency in a foreign language or proficiency in American Sign Language may be required for certain positions. Incumbents may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and to travel. Character Requirements In addition to reference and fact checks, a thorough background investigation may be conducted before certification for permanent appointment. Physical Requirements Incumbents must possess general good health, sufficient stamina, agility, visual and auditory acuity to perform all duties. A physical examination is required. Working Conditions Incumbents may be required to lift and restrain inmates; exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases; risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive inmates; exposure to disagreeable conditions. Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages applications from 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr