STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #240129-5415HN-001

Introduction


Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse?
If so, we have an excellent opportunity to join our hospital’s team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to join our team.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Full-Time, Third Shift (12:15 A.M. - 8:15 A.M.), rotating weekdays with weekends and holidays as scheduled
  • Facility: Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA)
    • Unit: Brief Care Unit
    • Address: 401 West Thames Street, Building 301, Norwich
    • PCN: 125957

    WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

    • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
    • Comprehensive benefits plan that includes industry leading health benefits with medical and dental coverage;
    • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
    • Retirement healthcare offerings;
    • Accrued vacation, personal and sick leave;
    • 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
    • Professional growth and development opportunities; and
    • A healthy work/life balance to all employees; and
    • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
    • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals; 
    • Provide support that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; 
    • Assist our clients so they can achieve success; 
    • Make a difference in the public sector; and 
    • Work together in a collaborative team environment. 
          MORE 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.

          ABOUT THE FACILITY:

          SMHA is a community mental health agency operated by DMHAS. Its primary goal is to provide high quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns. Services, which include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services, are recovery oriented and offered in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive manner.  We support individuals to identify and achieve their own goals in recovery, fostering independence, dignity, and ability.

          UNIT DESCRIPTION:
          The Brief Care Program is an open, 15- bed, subacute residential program. It is a voluntary program for clients who are in need of stabilization but who don’t meet the criteria for a psychiatric hospitalization. A Brief Care admission may also be used as a step-down transition following an inpatient stay. The program offers a full treatment team including a prescriber, nurses, social workers, certified addiction counselor, and mental health workers.  Staff is on site 24 hours a day and hold weekly treatment team meetings to discuss progress, barriers, and discharge planning. Community support staff and family are encouraged to participate in the weekly meetings for continuity.   Clients are often linked to programs during their stay to provide continued support upon discharge. 

          Start with us.  Stay with us.  Grow with us.

          Selection Plan

          FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

          Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

          Please Note: 

          For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.


          To Apply:

          • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
          • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
          • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
          • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
          • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.


          Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

          • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
          • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
          • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
          • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
          • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
          • 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

          Connect With Us:

          • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
          • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Nicole Frascatore via email at Nicole.Frascatore@ct.gov.

          PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

          In a state facility this class is accountable for rendering bedside care or mental health services to individuals with physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability in instances where the services of a registered nurse are not required.

          EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

          • Assists doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of individuals;
          • 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 individuals 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 individual needs including personal hygiene;
          • Reports on individual conditions and behavior;
          • Keeps the unit safe and healthy;
          • Administers enemas or suppositories;
          • Performs Foley catheterization care;
          • Orients individuals concerning medications and their use;
          • May perform emergency first aid;
          • May drive individuals to necessary appointments/outings;
          • Performs related duties as required.
          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, SKILL AND ABILITY

          • Knowledge of
            • practical nursing specialties and bedside care;
            • various medications used in conjunction for the care of individuals who have physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability;
            • infection control practices;
            • nutrition and diets;
            • medical and lab sciences;
          • Considerable
            • interpersonal skills;
            • oral communication and written skills;
          • Ability to
            • keep records;
            • lead staff.

          MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

          PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

          • Experience working with clients with mental health and co-occurring disorders.
          • Experience working with evidence-based treatment modalities.
          • Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
          • Experience utilizing electronic medical records to document client’s progress.
          • Experience with the principles of recovery.

          SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

          DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator's license, Public Passenger Endorsement or Commercial Driver's license for designated positions.

          WORKING CONDITIONS

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

          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.

          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.