Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Bridgeport, CT

7h • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to join the hospital’s team at the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS). This role is within the Hospital Services Division, specifically on the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU) on the 5th Floor. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, working the third shift (12:15 am - 8:15 am) Monday to Friday, with every other weekend and rotating holidays. DMHAS is a healthcare agency focused on promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through integrated services. SWCMHS provides high-quality, compassionate mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders. The Hospital Services Division offers services to individuals aged 18 and older with prolonged psychiatric and co-occurring illnesses requiring hospitalization or rehabilitation before community reintegration. The division includes the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU I and PICU II) and the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU), totaling 62 beds. All units provide assessment, stabilization, and rehabilitation with an emphasis on community reentry and skills building. A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, will be required upon a conditional offer of employment, and all state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Experience in practical nursing and bedside care.
• Experience with infection control practices.
• Experience working with medications commonly used in the care of individuals with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities.
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel to complete daily notes, update logs, and track information.
• Experience using an Electronic Medical Record.
• Experience transporting clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide general care and treatment of individuals per doctor's 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
• Render 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.
• Assist doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of individuals
• Measures doses and administers medications including insulin injections
• Performs narcotic counts
• Checks and may administer intravenous medications
• Ensures that restraints are applied correctly
• 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
• Performs the full range of duties as described in the class specification for the Lead Developmental Services Worker (for DDS).
• Performs the full range of duties as described in class specifications for the Mental Health Assistant 1 or Mental Health Assistant 2 (for DMHAS).

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance
• Yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred ($600) for permanently assigned second and third shift LPNs after one year of service, paid in two installments (July and December).
• Shift and weekend differential.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree