Chief Medical Officer

Introduction

We need your leadership to guide medical services at Whiting Forensic Hospital. Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH), part of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an experienced and mission-driven Chief Medical Officer�to oversee medical and psychiatric services within our secure forensic hospital in Middletown. This role provides clinical leadership across 11 treatment units and 229 secure beds, working with a highly skilled interdisciplinary team dedicated to patient recovery, safety, and dignity. ROLE HIGHLIGHTS Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week, Monday - Friday Shift: First Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm Location: 70 O'Brien Drive, Middletown, CT Executive leadership role guiding medical services, clinical standards, and psychiatric practice across the hospital WHY JOIN US? Our teams speak powerfully about why they choose DMHAS: meaningful work, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and a shared commitment to helping individuals achieve stability and recovery. As Chief Medical Officer, you will help shape that culture: guiding clinical care, elevating quality standards, and ensuring staff have the support and direction they need to deliver excellent forensic mental health treatment. This position offers the opportunity to influence patient care, organizational strategy, and statewide forensic behavioral health services within a mission‑driven, well‑resourced public system. WHAT WE OFFER Comprehensive benefits - Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees. The opportunity to: Join a vibrant professional learning community of Board‑Certified Physicians and Psychiatrists Support an agency deeply committed to improving the lives of those we serve Make a meaningful difference in the public sector WHY CONNECTICUT Connecticut provides an exceptional environment for senior psychiatric leaders. The state is deeply committed to advancing forensic and behavioral health services, offering clinical executives meaningful influence over policy, system design, and statewide strategy. Collaboration across healthcare, corrections, and the courts creates a uniquely connected system in which leadership decisions translate into real operational impact. Beyond the professional advantages, Connecticut offers an outstanding quality of life, with safe communities, excellent school systems, and convenient access to both New York City and Boston. Coastal towns, suburban neighborhoods, and scenic rural areas offer diverse living options, and four distinct seasons provide year‑round opportunities for recreation, balance, and personal well‑being. ABOUT OUR AGENCY: The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (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. Whiting Forensic Hospital provides high quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. This is accomplished with full respect for the civil and human rights of each patient. Our goal is to assist individuals to manage their illnesses and achieve personal recovery goals through developing the skills necessary to live safely in the community. Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us! 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.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:� Check out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our�Applicant Toolkit�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.� BEFORE YOU APPLY:� Meet Minimum Qualifications:�Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. � Educational Credits:�List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.� Resume Policy:�Per�Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.� Preferred Shift/Location:�Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.� Timely Submission:�All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing�DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.� Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.� Note: The�only way�to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. AFTER YOU APPLY:� Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your�Personal Status Board�regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.” Referral Questions:�This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).� � Prepare For An Interview:�Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful�Interview Preparation Guide�to make the best impression!� Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.�� The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.�� Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at�www.ct.gov/ethics. QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:� Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Connecticut Valley Hospital, Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System, and Whiting Forensic Hospital this class is accountable for administering agency medical, clinical and behavioral health services programs and operations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Administers staff and operations of a designated hospital or facility;� Develops, implements and evaluates policies, goals and objectives; Assists in development of programs and activities including development of medical service standards and criteria;� Implements new procedures and procedural revisions;� Determines or assists in determination of appropriate staffing levels and directs or assists in management and coordination of staff;� Implements performance review standards for staff;� Maintains contact with individuals within and outside of agency who might impact programs and services;� Administers state and federal regulations pertaining to medical and psychiatric health care programs, services and operations;� Participates on various committees and boards;� Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection; May testify in court as needed;� May conduct training;� May be responsible for coordination of accreditation activities;� May serve as agency liaison with external medical, behavioral health planning, advisory groups, courts and other state medical and service agencies;� May monitor contracts with medical services vendors;� May participate in quality assurance studies and investigations;� May develop processes and practices to improve quality and cost of patient care; Performs related duties as required.�

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and practices;� principles, practices and issues of medicine and psychiatry with particular reference to diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health patients; recent developments in field of psychiatry and medicine;� Knowledge of administration and clinical operations, functions and systems involving medical service delivery;� Considerable interpersonal skills;� oral and written communication skills;� organizational skills;� analytical skills;� Ability to teach and provide clinical supervision.�

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Experience in a hospital, clinic or correctional facility as a board certified psychiatrist.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must possess a license to practice medicine and surgery in Connecticut. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain certification as a specialist in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. 1320a-7b(f). Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain certification as a specialist in an area such as geriatrics, ABI/TBI, forensics, substance abuse, etc. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a faculty appointment at either the Yale School of Medicine or the UConn School of Medicine.� Incumbents in this class may be required to possess appropriate current licenses, certifications or permits. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual.

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.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Examined

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.�

Salary : $257,090 - $341,602