Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Position Highlights:
- DIVISION: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
- LOCATION: Bridgeport, CT
- SCHEDULE: This recruitment is for all work schedules, on first, second and third shifts and all possible units.
- WORK HOURS: Full-Time and Part-Time Opportunities Available
- POSITION NUMBER: 114530, 126676
Additional Compensation Information: Each
Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second and third shift may
be eligible to receive a yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred ($600). This
bonus shall be paid in two (2) installments: In July and December. In order to
be eligible for this bonus, the Employee must have completed one year of
service in the classification.
New! We’re excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse
Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.
What We Can Offer You:
*Benefit offerings will vary with part-time positions.
The Role
Our team offers treatment goals in
which the individual can be stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to
accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of
functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive
environment or to return to community-based living. We provide assessment and
stabilization, with an emphasis on building rehabilitation skills needed for
community reintegration.
Job duties
include but are not limited to:
Provide general care and treatment of
individuals per MD orders.
Administer medications per order.
Document medications using appropriate forms.
Complete narcotic counts with nurse verification.
Report changes in individuals’ conditions to
Nurse or Doctors.
Transcribe doctors' medication orders.
Check vitals per unit policy for provider review.
Assist with general individual needs including
personal hygiene.
Document medications administered in Kardex.
Orient and train new staff on unit policies and
standards of care when administering medications.
Schedule medical appointments.
May drive individuals to
necessary appointments/outings.
Perform other related duties as required.
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.
Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) is responsible for the oversight and management of contracts with private not-for-profit agencies and residential providers providing mental health services in the southwest region of the state. With locations in Bridgeport and Stamford, SWCMHS provides inpatient, outpatient and assertive community treatment (ACT) services and community support services for adults with severe behavioral health disabilities; mental health services for people who are deaf or hearing impaired and a mobile crisis intervention team. SWCMHS also provides outreach to people who are homeless and mentally ill. Special agency programs include Shelter Plus Care, a housing program for people who are homeless and who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness or who have AIDS.
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 Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@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
- 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 individual to necessary appointments/outings;
- Performs related duties as required.
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES:
- Performs the full range of duties as described in the class specification for the Lead Developmental Services Worker.
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 - 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 in practical nursing and
bedside care.
- Experience with infection control practices.
- Experiential knowledge of various medications used
in conjunction for the care of individuals who have physical, mental
disabilities and or intellectual disability.
- Professional skill and ability with WORD and EXCEL
computer software.
- Experience using an Electronic Medical Record.
- Active driver’s license for transporting clients.
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.