Introduction
Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Looking for a fulfilling career with growth potential?
Join our team and make a difference in the lives of young adults navigating their path to independence!
The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Practical Nurse to join the Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) Young Adult Services (YAS) program. This position will play a vital role in supporting young adults (ages 18-25) as they transition from youth services into the adult mental health system. Read below to learn more!
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- DIVISION: Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA)
- UNIT: Young Adult Services (YAS)
- LOCATION: Norwich, CT
- SCHEDULE: Full-time (35 hours weekly), Second Shift, 1:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Monday through Friday
- POSITION NUMBER: 78007
- NOTE: This position is eligible for a shift differential
New! We’re excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.
FOR SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT POSITIONS - YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS:
- Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to the second or third shift shall receive a “recruitment and retention” yearly bonus of six hundred dollars ($600.00).
- In order to be eligible for this bonus, the Employee must have completed one year of service in the Licensed Practical Nurse classification.
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
- Play a key role in supporting young adults with mental health and substance use challenges as they transition into adulthood
- Deliver compassionate, hands-on nursing care including medication administration, health education, and wellness support
- Empower clients by promoting independence, healthy living, and self-advocacy
- Make a lasting impact in public behavioral health through direct care and community-based support
- Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to dignity, recovery, and holistic care
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.
SMHA is a community mental health agency serving adults in Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Voluntown, and Waterford providing high quality behavioral health services to those with mental health and substance use disorders. Services offered include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services. SMHA is responsible for administering all DMHAS contract funded behavioral health services in Southeastern Connecticut.
The YAS program supports young adults aged 18 to 25 as they transition from the Department of Children and Families to the adult mental health system. The program helps those eligible for intensive mental health services through DMHAS develop critical skills for adulthood. Our multidisciplinary team, which includes prescribers, social workers, nurses, case managers, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, and vocational specialists, offers a comprehensive range of services. These include individual, family, and group therapy, case management, life skills development, vocational and educational support, medication monitoring, community integration, coordination of medical and dental care, and housing assistance.
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:
- 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 Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
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
- Works with local pharmacies and physicians
- Communicates directly with the team psychiatrist
- Administers medication
- Transcribes orders
- Updates medication reconciliation records
- Provides supervised self-administration of medication
- Coordinates medical psychiatric services with residential and community providers
- Teaches life skills
- Educates young adults about preventing pregnancies and STDs
- Provides education to young adults about their psychotropic medications, exercise, nutrition, and overall health issues
- Provides smoking cessation education
- Accompanies young adults to their medical providers to teach how to communicate their needs
- Assists with follow up recommendations by the community providers
- Performs related duties as required
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 - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut by the State Board of Examiners for Nursing OR hold a Multistate or Compact Licensed Practical Nurse license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with clients with mental health and substance use disorders
- Experience with young adults
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.