Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Bridgeport, CT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Step into a role where your clinical skills support individuals experiencing psychiatric crisis during critical overnight hours. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has an opening for a Licensed Practical Nurse position (PCN 28077) for the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) in Bridgeport. NEW! We're excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit the Nurse Licensure Compact for more details. Additional Compensation Information: Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second and third shift may 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. Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Third shift, 12:15 AM – 8:15 AM, Monday – Friday. Every other weekend and rotating holidays. May be eligible for shift and weekend differential. What We Can Offer You: Comprehensive state employee benefits. Access the State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options. Professional growth and career development opportunities. A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance. Position Highlights: Significantly impacts service quality by providing 24/7 support to a vulnerable population experiencing psychiatric dysregulation. Essential for maintaining seamless operations and reports directly to the head nurse. Supports effective care through collaboration with nursing leadership and the multidisciplinary team. Ensures adherence to safety protocols and regulatory requirements for clients and staff. Promotes a therapeutic and safe environment across all aspects of program operations. Other duties as assigned. A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy. About Us: DMHAS is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated, holistic network of services that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency. SWCMHS strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent.

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.

Nice To Haves

• 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
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel for patient care documentation, scheduling, and record maintenance
• Experience using an Electronic Medical Record
• Active driver’s license for transporting clients

Responsibilities

• 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
• Performs the full range of duties as described in the class specification for the Lead Developmental Services Worker (for Department of Developmental Services)
• Performs the full range of duties as described in class specifications for the Mental Health Assistant 1 or Mental Health Assistant 2 (for Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services)

Benefits

• Comprehensive state employee benefits
• Professional growth and career development opportunities
• A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance
• Yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred ($600) for second and third shift assignments (paid in two installments: July and December, after one year of service)
• May be eligible for shift and weekend differential

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed