Head Nurse

Introduction

Are you a dedicated Registered Nurse seeking a fulfilling role where you can truly impact the lives of individuals with disabilities? If so, we invite you to read more.

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), John Dempsey Hospital, we are recruiting to fill one fill three Head Nurse roles in Middletown, CT.

Incumbents in this class must possess a current license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in CT or hold a Multistate or Compact RN License.

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

• PCN 154807:
  Full-time, 40 hours per week, first shift, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm;
  Days Off Week 1:
  Friday, Monday;
  Days Off Week 2:
  Saturday, Sunday;
  Acadia Unit, Middletown, CT
• PCN 154808:
  Full-time, 40 hours per week, first (1st) shift, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm;
  Days Off Week 1:
  Saturday, Sunday;
  Days Off Week 2:
  Friday, Monday;
  Passaic Unit, Middletown, CT
• PCN 154809:
  Full-time, 40 hours per week, second (2nd) shift, 2:45 pm – 11:15 pm;
  Days Off Week 1:
  Friday, Monday;
  Days Off Week 2:
  Saturday, Sunday;
  Sachem Unit, Middletown, CT

• Coordinate all medical services necessary to meet the health and safety needs of individuals in our care.
• Collaborate effectively with an interdisciplinary team to optimize individual outcomes; and ensure compliance with clinical quality standards, policies, and regulations.
• Utilize your supervisory skills to provide clinical oversight to LPNs providing direct nursing care to individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability.
• Demonstrate your organizational and interpersonal skills as you communicate health and safety information to internal and external partners, in both verbal and written format.
• Showcase your knowledge and experience with rehabilitative and interdisciplinary healthcare practices and processes.

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

At DCF our mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter. Currently we are seeking individuals who are looking to advance their career and make a difference. START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

• Leads the planning of care and implementation of the nursing process.
• Plans unit workflow and determines priorities.
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work.
• Makes recommendations for personnel actions such as selection, discipline and performance.
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations.
• Leads professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in provision of patient/individual care.
• Maintains and promotes standards of nursing.
• Ensures controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered.
• Identifies staff development needs.
• Provides staff training and assistance.
• Instructs staff regarding policies and procedures.
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to promote and ensure adjustment and continuity of patient/individual care programs.
• Responds to emergencies.
• May make recommendations on policies and standards.
• May prepare reports or correspondence.
• May serve as Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP).
• Performs related duties as required.

• Independently develops, implements and evaluates nursing and/or health care plans.
• Provides nursing consultation in the assigned specialty program.
• Conducts nursing assessments.
• Provides admission and discharge nursing assessments including plans for…