Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Montville, CT

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour) at the Corrigan Correctional Center in Montville, CT. This role offers professional growth and development opportunities, a healthy work/life balance, and potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The nurse will manage daily sick call, specialty schedules, medication renewals, and assist providers with treatments and inmate care. They will also play a role in managing chronic care, serving as a liaison between nursing staff and providers, and performing routine nursing duties when a provider is not on-site. The Department of Correction's mission is to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives, prioritizing safety and security.

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 with practical nursing specialties and bedside care
• Experience with assisting doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of individuals
• Experience with medication administration, medication reconciliation, medication renewals, and patient education.
• Experience with wound care, EKGs, specimen collection, and other clinical interventions
• Experience with infection control practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily MD sick call list and specialty service schedules (Optometry, Podiatry, Orthopedics, etc.), ensuring appropriate pacing for each provider.
• Check state-issued email.
• Assist with incoming telephone calls and route them appropriately.
• Respond to all codes and complete required documentation.
• Ensure medication renewals are reviewed, ordered, and forwarded to the provider.
• Manage and collect active medical devices (crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, ACE wraps, braces) as needed.
• Administer first doses of new medications (KOP/DOT) and place new DOT medications in the housing unit med cart.
• Assist providers during treatments and minor surgical procedures.
• Support providers when inmates require higher-level care (e.g., ED evaluation, labs, EKG, W10).
• Stock and maintain supplies in the MD nurse room, including checking expiration dates.
• Notify and educate inmates regarding medication or treatment changes.
• Manage the Chronic Care (CC) in collaboration with providers and nursing supervisors, including contributing to QI data.
• Serve as a liaison between nursing staff and providers.
• When no provider is on-site, participate in routine nursing duties as directed by the lead nurse or CHN on duty.
• Complete pre- and post-counts for all specialty clinics (tools/syringes) and ensure all used tools are autoclaved.
• Communicate with the OSS Coordinator, Infectious Disease Nurse, and other disciplines to support holistic patient care.
• 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.
• Measure doses and administer medications including insulin injections.
• Document medications using appropriate forms.
• Perform narcotic counts.
• Check and may administer intravenous medications.
• Report changes in individuals to doctors.
• Ensure that restraints are applied correctly.
• Transcribe doctors medication orders.
• Dispense certain medications in doctor’s absence.
• Apply topical medication.
• Take and chart temperatures, pulses and respirations.
• Perform simple nursing treatments.
• Monitor general individual needs including personal hygiene.
• Report on individual conditions and behavior.
• Keep the unit safe and healthy.
• Administer enemas or suppositories.
• Perform Foley catheterization care.
• Orient individuals concerning medications and their use.
• May perform emergency first aid.
• May drive individuals to necessary appointments/outings.

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

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