Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour)

DDS South Region • Meriden, CT

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – South Region – is accepting applications for two (2) full-time, Licensed Practical Nurse positions located at Meriden Respite (35 Undercliff Road) in Meriden and at Middletown Respite (180 Olympus Parkway) in Middletown. This role involves 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. DDS partners with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.

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.
• Must be flexible to meet the needs of the agency
• May be required to travel between locations
• 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
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
• Experience communicating with non-verbal individuals.
• Experience with basic nursing skills including, but not limited to: administering medication and nutrition via G-Tube or J-Tube; glucose monitoring, insulin administration; respiratory treatments, colostomy; cecostomy; urostomy care; wound care; and catheterization.
• Experience supporting individuals that may exhibit mild to severe challenging behaviors.
• Experience communicating internally and externally with a diverse population both over the telephone and in written inquiries.
• Experience in Supervision of staff, including providing daily operational direction and work assignments.
• Experience using Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Word.

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 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)
• 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 paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of service.
• Yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred ($600) for second and third shift positions, paid in two installments (July and December), for employees who have completed one year of service.

What This Job Offers

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