Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut - DMHAS Connecticut Valley Hospital; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment and retention bonus

Job summary

State of Connecticut – DMHAS Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, CT is seeking an Admissions & Screening Registered Nurse to perform clinical screenings and assess admission appropriateness for SUD treatment services. You will collaborate with referral sources and treatment teams to facilitate timely access to care.

The role requires nursing licensure, strong assessment skills, and the ability to work with diverse teams.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
• Experience in clinical environments involving substance use disorders preferred.
• Experience conducting clinical screenings and admission evaluations.
• Strong communication and teamwork across diverse settings.
• Ability to follow admission criteria and ASAM-informed principles.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical screenings and nursing assessments for SUD referrals.
• Assess admission appropriateness and level of care using criteria.
• Review medical records, labs, and medications.
• Coordinate with hospitals and referral sources to obtain information.
• Document admissions accurately within timeframes.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance and confidentiality.

Skills

Nursing care

Clinical assessment

Interdisciplinary teamwork

HIPAA compliance

Education

RN license

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!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking dynamic and experienced Nurses to join our team.

The Admissions and Screening Registered Nurse will conduct clinical screenings of potential patients seeking admission to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services and assess clinical appropriateness for the requested level of care. The RN evaluates substance use, withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric conditions, medications, and safety concerns to support timely and appropriate admission decisions. The RN collaborates with referral sources, medical providers, and interdisciplinary treatment teams to facilitate safe and efficient access to treatment.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Facility: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
• Division: Addiction Services Division (ASD)
• Unit: Admissions & Screening
• Location: Middletown, CT
• PCN: 114440 - Full-time, 40 hours per week, Split shift 11:00am - 7:30pm
• PCN: 130117 & (105397 - Anticipated) - Full-time, 40 hours per week, 2nd shift 3:00pm - 11:00pm

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

FOR SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT POSITIONS - YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS:

Each Registered Nurse who is permanently assigned to the second or third shift shall receive a “recruitment and retention” yearly bonus of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). This bonus shall be pro‑rated for part‑time Registered Nurses. In order to be eligible for this bonus, the Employee must have completed one year of service in the registered nurse classification.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

The Role

• Conduct clinical screenings and nursing assessments of potential patients referred for SUD treatment.
• Assess clinical appropriateness for admission and the requested level of care using established admission criteria, clinical protocols, and ASAM-informed principles.
• Evaluate substance use history, withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric conditions, medications, and behavioral and safety concerns.
• Review relevant medical records, laboratory results, medication information, and other clinical documentation.
• Identify medical, psychiatric, or withdrawal‑related concerns requiring additional evaluation or consultation prior to admission.
• Communicate with hospitals, emergency departments, community providers, and other referral sources to obtain necessary clinical information.
• Make timely admission recommendations within established nursing scope, admission criteria, and organizational protocols.
• Collaborate with medical, nursing, admissions, and interdisciplinary clinical staff regarding complex referrals.
• Coordinate accepted admissions and facilitate placement into the appropriate level of care.
• Complete screening and admission documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable policies and regulations.
• Support efficient patient flow, timely access to treatment, and appropriate utilization of available treatment capacity.

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.

CVH’s vision and mission is to promote recovery through collaborative, compassionate, and culturally competent treatment in a safe, healthy, and caring environment. We provide trauma informed gender responsive treatment that empowers individuals to manage recovery, improve quality of life and return to the community.

Please note: 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 a state agency this class is accountable for providing a full range of professional nursing care.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Independently implements the nursing process with individuals including carrying out physician's 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 individuals;
• Documents nursing interventions on medical records;
• Distributes and maintains records of controlled drugs and ensures their security;
• Maintains records and makes reports;
• Makes decisions in routine cases;
• Instructs individuals, staff and family members regarding treatments, nursing plans and related individual 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 participate as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team in the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of individual's treatment or health/mental health care plans;
• May formulate and implement nursing care plans;
• May participate in outpatient clinics and assist in physical examinations;
• May administer routine tests;
• May conduct training;
• May delegate nursing tasks consistent with established protocols;
• May participate in psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation interventions;
• May physically restrain individuals;
• May provide related medical or medical and mental health specialty services;
• May serve as Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of 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; and ability to apply clinical therapeutic models of individual care with emphasis on interdisciplinary team approach.

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 individual care applicable to work assignment; listen and provide empathetic assistance to individuals and families in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments; develop therapeutic relationships with individuals, and their caregivers; respond to emergencies; respond to and seek supervision; encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride trust and group identity to foster commitment and teamwork; analyze and evaluate proper care and treatment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in clinical environments involving substance use disorders, addiction medicine, behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, emergency services, or withdrawal management/detoxification.
• Experience conducting clinical screenings, nursing assessments, triage, or admission evaluations.
• Experience conducting clinical assessments and exercising critical thinking and sound clinical decision‑making.
• Experience independently prioritizing multiple referrals offering timely, clinically appropriate recommendations.
• Experience engaging in professional communication across diverse settings, including hospitals, emergency departments, community providers, patients, families and other referral sources.
• Experience delivering trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented, and person‑centered care.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of the American Sign Language in certain designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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