Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour)

State of Connecticut - DDS South Region; Meriden (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut – Department of Developmental Services (DDS) South Region is hiring two full-time Licensed Practical Nurses for Meriden and Middletown respite centers. The positions require evening and day shift coverage with bi-weekly hours and travel between sites as needed.

Responsibilities include bedside care, medication administration, documentation, and collaborating with healthcare teams to support individuals with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Current license to practice nursing in Connecticut (LPN) issued by the State Board of Examiners for Nursing.
• Experience working with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist doctors and nurses in general care and treatment of individuals.
• Measure doses and administer medications including insulin injections.
• Document medications using appropriate forms and transcribe doctors medication orders.
• Perform nursing procedures and monitor vital signs as assigned.
• Maintain unit safety and cleanliness and report changes in individuals to supervisors.

Skills

Patient care

Medication administration

Nursing documentation

Infection control

Communication

Education

LPN license

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Introduction

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.

Position Highlights

PCN: 127864 – Meriden Respite Center, 35 Undercliff Road, Meriden

• Full-time
• Second (2nd) Shift
• 70 Hours/bi-weekly
• Monday - Thursday: 1:45 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• (Regular Days Off: Friday - Sunday)

PCN: 22676 – Middletown Respite Center, 180 Olympus Parkway, Middletown

• Full-time
• First (1st) Shift
• 70 Hours/bi-weekly
• Friday - Monday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
• (Regular Days Off: Tuesday - Thursday)

Must be flexible to meet the needs of the agency

May be required to travel between locations

About Us

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.

What’s In It For You

Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities. A healthy work-life balance to all employees. State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service.

Discover the opportunity to

• Engage in a rewarding career
• Assist our employees so they can achieve success
• Make a difference in the public sector
• Work together in a collaborative team environment

Selection Plan

FOR SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT POSITIONS - YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS: 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

Purpose of Job Class

In a state facility this class is accountable for 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.

Examples of Duties

• 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.

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES:

Performs the full range of duties as described in the class specification for the Lead Developmental Services Worker.

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES:

Performs the full range of duties as described in class specifications for the Mental Health Assistant 1 or Mental Health Assistant 2.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

Knowledge of

• practical nursing specialties and bedside care;
• various medications used in conjunction for the care of individuals who have physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability;
• infection control practices;
• nutrition and diets;
• medical and lab sciences;

Considerable

• interpersonal skills;
• oral communication and written skills;

Ability to

• keep records;
• lead staff.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Special Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: 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.

Working Conditions

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift/restrain individuals; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to some risk of injury from assaultive/abusive individuals; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Edward Magnano, EEO Manager at [phone] or ([e-mail]).

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to at [e-mail].