Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) seeks qualified individual for the position of Licensed Practical Nurse (PCN 26095) with the Wellness Recovery Advocacy Program located at 401 West Thames Street, Building 301, Norwich, CT 06360. The work schedule is first Shift 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, weekends and holidays off.

This LPN position is for the outpatient program at Southeastern Mental Health Authority who will be part of a multidisciplinary team.  Duties of the outpatient LPN will include: performing annual health screenings; taking vital signs prior to each prescriber appointment; administering injections; coordinating prescriber orders; developing annual client health and wellness goals; providing outpatient clients with health education , health promotion, and care coordination; updating medication reconciliation at every client visit; managing and monitoring clients who are prescribed Clozaril; obtaining urine drug screens and pregnancy tests as needed;  facilitating health education groups, documentation in the electronic medical record.

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.  Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply the following: copy of their current license as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Connecticut and copy of their valid motor vehicle driver's license.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Edra Knight at Edra.Knight@ct.gov or (860) 859-4651.

In a state hospital, this class is accountable for rendering bedside care or mental health services to the physically or mentally ill in instances where the services of a registered nurse are not required.

Assists doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of patients; measures doses and administers medications including insulin injections; documents medications using appropriate forms; performs narcotic counts; checks and may administer intravenous medications; reports changes in patients to doctors; ensures that restraints are applied correctly; transcribes doctors medication orders; dispenses certain medications in doctor’s absence; applies topical medication; takes and charts temperatures, pulses and respirations; performs simple nursing treatments; monitors general patient needs including personal hygiene; reports on patient conditions and behavior; keeps the unit safe and healthy; administers enemas or suppositories; performs Foley catheterization care; orients patients concerning medications and their use; may perform emergency first aid; performs related duties as required.

IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES: performs the full range of duties as described in class specifications for the Mental Health Assistant 1 or Mental Health Assistant 2.

Knowledge of practical nursing specialties and bedside care; knowledge of various medications used in conjunction with the physically and mentally handicapped; knowledge of infection control practices; some knowledge of nutrition and diets; basic knowledge of medical and lab sciences; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to keep records; some ability to lead staff.

License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut by the State Board of Examiners for Nursing.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

1. Previous experience working in an outpatient mental health center
2. Experience working with clients with mental health and addiction problems
3. Experience in working with clients with the chronic health conditions often experienced by clients with chronic behavioral health issues (COPD, diabetes, obesity, hypertension,  hyperlipidemia)
4. Clinical competency in performing health screenings vitals, health education
5. Experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team
6. Possess the ability to prioritize and effectively manage time
7. Have the ability to interface with a variety of medical and mental health providers in order to coordinate care for client’s behavioral and medical health needs
8. Possess excellent customer service, communication and interpersonal skills
9. Experience in facilitating health education groups
10. Experience documenting in an Electronic Medical Record

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift/restrain clients/patients; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to some risk of injury from assaultive/abusive clients/patients; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.

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.