Licensed Practical Nurse

Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse looking for an opportunity? If so, we invite you to apply to join our team today!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS)  –South Region, has one (1) full-time and one (1) part-time Licensed Practical Nurse positions located at Shunpike Road in Cromwell, CT.

SCHEDULES AND POSITION DETAILS:

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.

• 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 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 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.

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.

• Experience working with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
• Experience communicating with non-verbal individuals.
• Experience with basic nursing skills including, but not limited to: administering medication and nutrition via G-Tube or J-Tube; glucose monitoring, insulin administration; respiratory treatments, colostomy; cecostomy; urostomy care; wound care; and catheterization.
• Experience supporting individuals that may exhibit mild to severe challenging behaviors.
• Experience communicating internally and externally with a diverse population both over the telephone and in written inquiries.
• Experience in Supervision of staff, including providing daily operational direction and work assignments.
• Experience using Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Word.

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.

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.

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.

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.