Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse FL

Introduction

Our Mission:
The State of Connecticut, 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. Safe and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.

The Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse for the Health Services Unit works at the Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown, CT. This is a full‑time, 40‑hour per week position on first shift, Monday‑Friday between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm.

As part of a multidisciplinary team that includes social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and custodial staff, the APRN provides high quality psychiatric and medical care to incarcerated individuals.

• Conduct comprehensive initial psychiatric evaluations.
• Develop individualized treatment plans.
• Conduct risk assessments and suicide risk evaluations.
• Coordinate with community supports and treatment providers.
• Provide evidence‑based psychiatric services, including evaluation and management of psychotropic medications.
• Provide care to patients with a full array of diagnoses including mood, psychotic, and personality disorders.
• Perform crisis management, including the use of emergency medications and administration of involuntary psychiatric medications.
• Engage in collaborative treatment with external support services and research‑driven programming.
• Lead or co‑lead psychotherapy or family therapy groups.
• Prescribe medication and manage medication regimens as appropriate.
• Provide clinical supervision of staff and contribute to research projects in accordance with departmental guidelines.

• A Master’s degree in psychiatric and/or mental health nursing.
• At least two (2) years of experience as a professional nurse working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Alternative qualifications:
  • A Master’s or higher degree in nursing outside the psychiatric/mental health field with a minimum of twenty‑four (24) graduate or postgraduate level academic hours in psychiatric and mental health theory plus supervised clinical training in two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.
  • A Bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing with ANCC certification in Psychiatric‑Mental Health (PMH) as a Psychiatric‑Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS‑BC) or Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP‑BC).
• Special requirements:
  Current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse issued by the Department of Public Health; eligibility to participate in federal health care programs; possible travel and valid motor vehicle license.

• Medical and dental insurance plans.
• Sick/vacation/personal leave accruals.
• State holidays and tuition reimbursement.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System Tier IV.
• Hazardous Duty status with eligibility to retire after 25 years of service, regardless of age.

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

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.