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THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Nurse. We are seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our direct-care team to improve the well-being for our clients/patients. 

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

HIGHLIGHTS

  • FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
  • LOCATION: Bridgeport, CT
  • DIVISION: Hospital Services Division
  • UNITS: Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 1 (PICU I), Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU ll), and the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU).
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, with a rotating schedule of every other weekend and alternating holidays 
  • SHIFTS AVAILABLE: First Shift (8:00am - 4:30pm), Second Shift (4:00pm - 12:30am), and Third Shift (12:15am - 8:15am)
  • NOTE: These positions can be assigned any unit/location and work schedule/shift within SWCMHS. 

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

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO 

  • Use therapeutic skills to effectively implement client care according to the Nursing Care Plan;
  • Provide substantial input regarding patient care needs, response to treatment, and recommend modifications in the overall plan of care;
  • Complete comprehensive Initial Nursing Assessment for patients with acute psychiatric and addictive problems; and
  • Provide direct patient care that includes education, counseling, medication administration and documentation of the treatment and progress made by the patient.

NOTE

  • Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Nurse should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.
  • Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.

*Some positions may be eligible for shift and/or weekend differentials, depending on the assigned schedule. 

 

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. 

SWCMHS strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services. 

CTU: Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU) 20 beds: The Co-Occurring Treatment Unit is a 20 bed, locked inpatient psychiatric unit that provides treatment to individuals with co-occurring illness. The criteria for admission are major mental illness and substance use within six months of admission. The mission of CTU is to provide assessment and psychiatric stabilization as well as education around the clients co-occurring illness. The program model focuses on the inpatient Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) evidence-based practice, focusing concurrently on both psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses. The treatment goals are similar to the PICU’s.

PICU: Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) 42 beds: The PICU 1 and PICU 2 each provide 21 beds for residents of Connecticut. Admissions to the psychiatric units are coordinated through a statewide Utilization Management process coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner. Both locked units are responsible for providing treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care. The treatment goals are developed in which the individual can be: stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive environment or to return to community-based living. PICU treatment staff work closely with community providers to ensure that a smooth transition to the community exists. PICU 1 provides assessment and stabilization, with the emphasis on community reentry. PICU 2, the extended care unit, focuses on rehabilitation with an emphasis on intense skills building needed for community reintegration.

PLEASE NOTE