Nurse Consultant (Children and Families) (40 Hour)(Office/On-site)

Introduction

Unique Opportunity
The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF)is currently seeking a highly skilled and motivated Nurse Consultant to join us at Albert J. Solnit South Campus Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) in the Quality and Training Department! In this meaningful role, you will evaluate PRTF compliance with state and federal regulations, lead nursing training to ensure standard processes are followed, and assist in policy development for nursing standards of practice. Contribute to the well-being of young adults by equipping our staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide high quality care.

As a Nurse Consultant, you will:

• Instruct staff of all levels in orientation and other programs.
• Conduct ongoing quality assurance activities related to accreditation and compliance.
• Supervise learning experiences of staff in programs.
• Act as a role model by demonstrating and guiding professional behaviors.
• Participate in approved continuing education programs and share knowledge with other staff members.
• Prepare and submit reports as required.
• Protect human and civil rights of patients and staff.
• Participate in committees and the recruitment process.

Work Schedule
This position operates strictly on-site, Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Why Join Us?
At the State of Connecticut, we are committed to encouraging a world-class work environment. This is an outstanding opportunity to work with a dedicated team that strives for excellence and continuous improvement. You will have the chance to collaborate with experienced professionals, contribute to ambitious projects, and improve your own skills and knowledge. Our organization values diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member feels supported and empowered to succeed.

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.

Application Instructions
Ready to make a difference? Apply today to join our team as a Nurse Consultant and play a pivotal role in crafting the future of our community's healthcare.

Selection Plan

• Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page or view our tutorial.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
• Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 
• Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov.
• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• 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.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Public Health, Children and Families, Correction, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Social Services and the Office of Early Childhood this class is accountable for applying professional nursing knowledge in the enforcement, inspection, licensure, consultation and implementation or assessment of the nursing service component of health care programs and facilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Implements, coordinates, and evaluates activities of assigned programs or health care services;
• Maintains active liaison with and serves as nursing consultant to other sections, divisions, health care providers and public;
• Assesses safety and quality of client care provided;
• Assesses compliance of health insurance companies with various state statutes, regulations and guidelines;
• In a central office assignment or region-wide basis, plans, reviews, and evaluates the coordination, assessment and monitoring of health services to DCF children;
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures related to health and wellness/nursing standards of practice;
• Provides consultation to community hospitals, medical facilities, community providers, schools, foster parents, other state agencies and the court system regarding the health needs of DCF children;
• Provides consultation to Careline Special Investigations Unit on medical investigations of abuse and neglect;
• Develops nursing and individual professional development/trainings;
• May review all multidisciplinary evaluations, including the child's medical, dental, developmental, behavioral health and trauma needs, including consents for surgeries/medical procedures and/or medically complex cases
• May have oversight and coordination of children's health plans;
• May have oversight of state-wide health trainings, health programs, contracts and health initiatives;
• May develop, provide and monitor health trainings to DCF caregivers, staff, community providers and youth;
• May inspect and evaluate health care and psychiatric facilities for compliance with state and federal regulations including licensure and certification laws;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • nursing treatment, trends and resources for pediatric health issues;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • principles and practices of nursing care administration and education for a variety of specialties with varied settings;
  • principles and practices pertinent to community processes;
• Knowledge of
  • state, federal and local health agencies and programs;
  • nursing education and skill in techniques of teaching;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • plan, implement and evaluate programs;
  • collect and analyze data.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of experience as a professional nurse in a position involving supervision, consultation, education or administration.

NOTE: 

• Administrative capacity is interpreted as having managerial responsibility in setting and implementing policies, carrying out program planning, and evaluating and coordinating special projects, etc. in the area specified in the appropriate parenthetical title.
• Consultative capacity is interpreted as the providing of professional expert nursing advice to other than subordinate staff on major programmatic issues in the area specified in the appropriate parenthetical title.
• Educational capacity is interpreted as experience in a full time professional educational position instructing professional nurses in a formalized program or teaching students in an undergraduate or graduate nursing program in the area specified in the appropriate parenthetical title.
• Supervisory capacity is interpreted as having administrative supervision of registered nurses or other professional staff. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the area of pediatric nursing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
• A Master's degree in health services administration, nursing or public health may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting nursing training for licensed staff.
• Experience working with youth with psychiatric needs in a residential or hospital setting.
• Experience implementing Quality Assurance activities in a health/behavioral health care setting.
• Experience collecting and presenting health care audit data.
• Experience evaluating compliance with accrediting bodies (Joint Commission, DPH, CMS).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as a registered professional nurse in Connecticut.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess certification as an Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist or be eligible for certification as an Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

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.