STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Licensed Practical Nurse

Recruitment #240404-5415FK-001

Introduction

Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse with the desire to improve the lives of children and families?

 What we can offer you:
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'ForbesState 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.
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • The 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.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and development opportunities.
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
  • FOR SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT POSITIONS - YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS:  Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second and third shift shall 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.
Who We Are:  
The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter.

 Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center Hospital – South Campus - Located in Middletown, is a widely recognized center of excellence. This state-administered Psychiatric Hospital provides comprehensive care to adolescents under the age of eighteen, with severe mental illness and related behavioral problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting. 

Position Details
  • Positions are full time, 8hr day/40hr weekly, with rotating weekends, second and third shifts. 
  • 2nd shift 2:45pm- 11:10 pm 
    • PCN 138274: Acadia
      • Week 1 off: Saturday, Sunday
      • Week 2 off: Friday, Monday
    • PCN 138278: Passaic
      • Week 1 off: Saturday, Sunday
      • Week 2 off: Friday, Monday
  • 3rd shift 11:00 pm. - 7:10 a.m. 
    • PCN 138280: Acadia,
      • Week 1 off: Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday
      • Week 2 off: Monday
    • PCN 138281: Manhasset
      • Week 1 off: Friday, Saturday, Thursday
      • Week 2 off: Monday
    • PCN 138279: Passaic
      • Week 1 off: Friday, Saturday, Tuesday
      • Week 2 off: Sunday
    • PCN 138284: Passaic
      • Week 1 off: Sunday
      • Week 2 off: Friday, Saturday, Wednesday
Join Us:
  • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals dedicated to assisting clients/patients to achieve success.
  • Experience the opportunity to make a difference in the public sector and make an impact as a Licensed Practical Nurse for the State of Connecticut.
  • Apply today and contribute your experience in a psychiatric setting to help improve the lives of children and families.

Selection Plan

  • Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page or view our tutorial. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • 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.  
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application 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.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.  
  • Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov. 
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview. 
  • FOR THOSE WHO HOLD A PRATICAL NURSE LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:
    • Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;
    • Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Licensed Practical Nurse’ and then ‘Start’.
    • Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s: Nursys® System. To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type (PN for Practical Nurse) and select ‘SEARCH’. Review the results and select the ‘Next’ button. Check the box next to ‘Connecticut’ and complete the transaction. Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH. Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys. Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.

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.

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 in a psychiatric setting.

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.