As the University of Connecticut’s academic Health Center, the UConn Health Center offers its employees opportunities within a dynamic, intellectually stimulating environment of education, research, and patient care.
The Health Center comprises the nationally recognized Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, UConn Medical Group, and Correctional Managed Health Care. As the Health Center continues to grow, employment opportunities are available in multiple locations throughout the state.
All permanent employees of the Health Center are state employees and enjoy state benefits, competitive salaries and compensation. The Health Center workforce is diverse and totals approximately 4,500 employees. The majority of these employees are represented by collective bargaining units, commonly referred to as labor unions.
All Health Center employees are subject to clearance through appropriate criminal background, federal sanctions, and reference checks. Additionally, health clearance (which may include drug testing) through Occupational Medicine is required. All offers of employment as well as employment continuation are contingent upon successful clearance through these processes.
New employees are required to attend New Employee Orientation. This provides an introduction to the Health Center and meets our compliance program requirements.
New union employees are subject to a working test period, the duration of which depends on the specific bargaining unit and is generally equal to six months of full-time service.
The Employment Application Process
I. General Points About the Application Process
Because many UConn Health Center positions are governed by collective bargaining
contracts, posting is required. The posting period is usually two weeks, or
that which is specified by the respective contract. In some cases,
selection may also be governed by contract. Some positions are posted
internally and available only to internal applicants. Some positions require taking and passing a state examination.
To be considered for a position, applicants must meet the minimum and special qualifications on the
posting. Application for employment must be made within the time frame
identified in the job posting, and must identify the search code number of
the desired position.
II. How Do I Apply?
Candidate Self Service is the preferred way to apply for employment. The UConn Health Center does however, accept submission through
U.S. mail.
Applicants can apply for positions during the defined posting period noted
on the job posting. The search code number of the desired position must be
noted.
Candidate Self Service (CSS) allows applicants to create an online employment application that can be easily updated and reused to apply for various positions without the need to reenter the information each time. In addition, CSS tracks the status of positions already applied for and sends "Job Alert" emails for jobs of specific interest.
III. What Happens When I Apply for a Job?
All applicants are tracked using a web based computer tracking
system. If you apply through CSS your application is automatically
attached to a job search. If you apply via e-mail or hard copy
resume you must be manually processed. This process can take up to 2
days once the resume and/or application has been received
Applications are screened by Human Resources in accordance with employment laws, regulations, and collective bargaining contracts. Applicants who do not indicate on the application that he or she possesses the minimum qualifications (including any “Special Qualifications”) for the position, as stated on the job posting, are eliminated from consideration.
Applications for consideration are forwarded to the hiring department manager for review. The department manager, in collaboration with Human Resources, determines which applicants will be interviewed.
Interviews are then scheduled. At the time of interview, applicants are required to complete an employment application, a background investigation form and a reference release form. These must be returned to Human Resources as soon as possible.
Human Resources conducts reference checks on candidates considered for hire. At this time a criminal background and federal sanctions check is also conducted through the Health Center Office of Public Safety. Offers of employment are dependent on these clearances.
The selected candidate is contacted by Human Resources. Official offers of employment can only be made by Human Resources.
At the time of the offer, the selected candidate will be sent information regarding employee benefits and the required new employee orientation.
Student/Temporary Employment
The UConn Health Center hires students and temporary employees throughout the year in areas such as clerical support, nursing, information technology and research.
Summer/Temporary positions are not guaranteed and, therefore, do not have specific postings, but rather a general job pool. The summer job pool can be found on the employment opportunities page under the temporary category.
Candidates for these positions are subject to criminal background and federal sanctions checks and must be cleared through Employee Health. For student positions, valid student identification is required. If the applicant for student or temporary employment is under eighteen (18) years of age, valid working papers are also required.
Student and temporary employees must attend the Health Center’s New Employee Orientation Program on the first day of employment. The employee is not entitled to any benefits and is paid on an hourly basis.
Career Counseling Services
Human Resource Officers are available by appointment to assist employees with employee relations and career enhancement. They can provide information on upward mobility and career opportunities throughout the Health Center, offer information on educational opportunities, and assist with the development of skills such as resume writing and interviewing. Our Human Resource Officers also provide support for employees experiencing career transition.
Correctional Managed Health Care
The Correctional Managed Health Care (CMHC) program was established by a partnership with the UConn Health Center and the Department of Correction to deliver comprehensive managed health care to inmates in the State of Connecticut. Medical, mental health, dental and ancillary services are provided in all eighteen (18) facilities across the State of Connecticut (Bridgeport; Brooklyn; Cheshire - Manson Youth, Webster, Cheshire; Enfield/Somers - Robinson, Willard/Cybulski, Northern, Osborn, Enfield; Hartford; New Haven; Newtown - Garner; Niantic - Gates, York; Storrs - Bergin; Suffield - MacDougall/Walker; Uncasville - Corrigan/Radgowski).
CMHC offers a variety of career opportunities in nursing, medical, dental, mental health, technical, administrative and clerical areas. These positions are governed by the 1199 and AFSCME Collective Bargaining Units. All candidates are subject to criminal background and federal sanctions checks as well as a pre-employment physical inclusive of drug screening. Some of our positions require taking and passing a State Civil Service exam and may also require a current Connecticut professional license. Requirements for each position are explained in the specific job posting.
The UConn Health Center offers an extensive benefit package. Various CMHC positions offer additional benefits including 20-year hazardous duty retirement, shift differentials, meal allowance and recruitment and retention bonus.
Candidates chosen for a CMHC position are required to attend a UConn Health Center two-day New Employee Orientation Program. Clerical employees are also required to attend a six-day training class and all direct care staff are required to attend a six-week orientation program with the Department of Correction.