In a state agency this class is accountable for supervising nursing staff engaged in professional nursing activities.
GUIDELINES FOR CLASS USE:
This classification is reserved for use by those incumbents who have full time supervisory responsibility over nursing staff.
1.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Incumbents in this class act as shift supervisor for a large building, group of units, group of psychiatric units or large institution. Incumbents in this class act as administrative and clinical supervisors for a nursing service coordinating twenty-four hour coverage in such areas as hospital or residential services. When assigned to shifts covering weekends, evenings, nights and holidays, incumbents may be responsible for a larger number of patients/clients, units and staff. Incumbents may be responsible for overseeing all nursing functions in the absence of a Director of Nursing.
2.
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES: Incumbents in this class act as shift supervisor of a large building or group of wards. When assigned to shifts covering weekends, evenings, nights and holidays, incumbents may be responsible for a larger number of patients/clients, wards and staff. In a facility, incumbents are responsible for supervising all nursing personnel and ward staff. Incumbents may be responsible for overseeing all nursing functions in the absence of a Director of Nursing.
3.
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: Incumbents in this class act as coordinator of nursing services for twenty-four hour coverage in such areas as hospital services, residential services or as shift supervisor in large institutions. Incumbents may be responsible for overseeing all nursing functions in the absence of Developmental Services Director of Nursing.
4.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Incumbents in this class act as a shift supervisor for the facility. Incumbents in this class act as coordinator of nursing services for twenty-four hour coverage in such areas as healthcare and residential services. When assigned to shifts covering weekends, evenings, nights and holidays, incumbents may be responsible for a larger number of patients/veterans, units and staff. Incumbents may be responsible for overseeing all nursing functions in the absence of a Director of Nursing.
5.
STATE VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS: There will be one (1) incumbent assigned in the State Department of Education to provide supervision to all nursing staff assigned to each of the Vocational Technical Schools.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives general direction from a Director of Nursing or an employee of higher grade.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Supervises Head Nurses, Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and other direct care staff as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Plans, organizes and directs health services for an assigned program, unit(s), facility or geographical area; ensures that goals, objectives and work performed are consistent with standards and that quality care is provided to patients/clients; provides clinical guidance to nursing staff; selects, develops, motivates and evaluates staff; conducts performance evaluations; monitors the quality of documentation, records and other information concerning services and care; ensures that resources are available to provide quality services; participates in the development of policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services; participates in the development of long-range plans for health care programs; acts as a liaison with other units, agencies and outside organizations; prepares, analyzes and evaluates reports and other information concerning the delivery of services; responds to psychiatric or medical emergencies; may physically restrain patients/clients; may oversee all nursing operations in the absence of the Director of Nursing; performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:
Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply nursing principles, clinical therapeutic models, and standards of nursing; considerable knowledge of specialized patient/client care in the assigned nursing areas; considerable knowledge of current medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects; considerable knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply family systems theory; considerable knowledge of procedures and protocols of applicable accrediting institutions; knowledge of management and administrative principles and human resource development strategies; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other professionals, community resources and providers; considerable ability to encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust and group identity to foster commitment and team work; considerable ability to provide leadership and guidance in developing and maintaining nursing standards and enhancing health care systems for the delivery of essential services; considerable ability to respond to crises’ and emergencies; considerable ability to use professional judgment to identify areas for improvement and participate in development of quality initiatives; supervisory ability.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
General Experience:
Four (4) years of experience as a Registered Professional Nurse in a hospital, regional, institutional or psychiatric setting.
Special Experience:
Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the level of a Head Nurse, Head Nurse (Correctional Facility), Forensic Head Nurse or Clinical Nurse Coordinator working with the type of patients/clients serviced by the agency.
Substitutions Allowed:
1.
A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
2.
A Master's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
1.
Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license or temporary permit to practice professional nursing in Connecticut.
2.
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.
3.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients/clients; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from assaultive/abusive patients/clients; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.
NOTE:
Non-Examined refers to Section 5-219 of the Connecticut General Statutes which permits appointment of candidates to competitive positions without formal examination when a professional license, professional degree, accreditation or certificate is a mandatory requirement for appointment to a class
This replaces the existing job specification for the same class in the same Salary Group HC 28 effective July 4, 2008. (Revised Special Experience)
