Licensed Practical Nurse (Multiple Positions)

State of Connecticut • Hartford, CT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking multiple Licensed Practical Nurses to join their teams in Hartford and Middletown. These positions will provide direct nursing care and support within their mental health hospital. This recruitment covers all units, schedules, and shifts within the Addiction Services Division (ASD) and General Psychiatry Division (GPD). Full-time and Part-time opportunities are available, with benefits potentially varying for part-time roles. Positions may be assigned to any unit, location, schedule, or shift within ASD or GPD. Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment, with a permanent assignment determined within the first six months of employment. The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is a healthcare 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. Connecticut Valley Hospital has a rich history, opening its doors over 150 years ago in 1868. As the State’s public hospital, it provides treatment for mental illness and is currently comprised of 18 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). In their operational framework, recovery is defined as a process of restoring or developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity apart from one’s condition and then rebuilding one’s life in the fullest sense. Recovery is an individualized patient-centered approach. Achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health and wellness is integrated into their recovery approach. Individuals acquire and practice life skills that will assist them in their recovery process.

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.
• Specify qualifications on your application.
• List earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application.
• 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.
• Resumes are not accepted during the initial application process.
• All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with clients/patients supported by the agency
• Experience using interpersonal skills to support, calm and deescalate clients/patients
• Experience participating with the development of nursing care and treatment plans
• Experience advocating for services that meet client needs
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working independently
• Experience utilizing Electronic Health Records
• 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 (for DDS positions).

Responsibilities

• Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals
• Provide support to a hospital that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve
• Assist clients and employees so they can achieve success
• Make a difference in the public sector
• Work together in a collaborative team environment
• 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.
• 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
• Performs the full range of duties as described in the class specification for the Lead Developmental Services Worker (for DDS positions)
• Performs the full range of duties as described in class specifications for the Mental Health Assistant 1 or Mental Health Assistant 2 (for DMHAS positions)

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• Yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred ($600) for permanently assigned second and third shift Licensed Practical Nurses who have completed one year of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED