Director Of Nursing 1 (Office/On-Site)

State of Connecticut; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services seeks a Nurse Executive for Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown, CT. This full-time, second-shift leadership role directs nursing and clinical services across two WF H buildings.

You will oversee staffing, quality of care, infection control, and compliance while maintaining 24-hour coverage and on-call responsiveness. A master's degree and CT RN license are preferred for this leadership position.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a health care organization.
• Incumbents must possess and retain a license as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.
• BSN, MSN or MHA preferred.
• Experience leading projects in support of quality patient care.

Responsibilities

• Directs or assists with direction of staff and operation of nursing/clinical department.
• Directs or assists with planning and managing of nursing/clinical activities.
• Develops or assists in development of plans for care and related policy.
• Maintains and ensures optimal quality of care in a safe environment.
• Coordinates twenty-four hour nursing coverage for facility or assigned unit(s).

Skills

Nursing administration

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Infection control

Budgeting

Education

BSN

MSN

MHA

Job description

Introduction

Do 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!

Position Highlights

• Facility: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)
• Unit: Both WFH Buildings
• Location: Middletown, CT
• Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, 2nd Shift
• The schedule is four 10-hour shifts per week, 4:00pm - 2:30am. Every other weekend with occasional holidays and on call responsibilities.
• PCN: 145890
• Please Note: This is a Hazardous Duty position.

New! We’re excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025.

What We Can Offer You

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

Discover the opportunity to:

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

More About Us

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.

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.

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.

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.

Examples of Duties

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

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

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

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.
• Note: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Supervising Nurse.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Special Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.