Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour)

State of Connecticut - DMHAS SE Mental Health; Norwich (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive state employee benefits

Professional growth and career develop

Healthy work-life balance

Job summary

State of Connecticut - DMHAS SE Mental Health in Norwich is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to support the Options outpatient program. The role involves coordinating psychiatric and medical services, ensuring medication safety, and maintaining precise patient records in a collaborative team setting.

Applicants must hold CT LPN licensure or a compact license and be able to work the 8:30 AM–4:00 PM schedule, Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide vital nursing services to clients with serious mental illness.
• Coordinate psychiatric, medical, and medication-related services with residential and community-based providers.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation by transcribing orders and updating medication reconciliation records.
• Collaborate with prescribers, therapists, and nursing staff within the Options program.
• Address complex needs through coordinated care planning and teamwork.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Licensed Practical Nurse

Nursing care

Medication administration

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Tools

EMR

Microsoft Office

Job description

Introduction

Use your nursing skills to support individuals and contribute to safe, consistent care at SMHA. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has an opening for a Licensed Practical Nurse (PCN 78522) for southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) Outpatient Treatment Program (Options) in Norwich. NEW! We’re excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit the Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.

Schedule

Full-time, First Shift. Monday - Friday. 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM. 35 hours per week.

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

• Provide vital nursing services to clients with serious and persistent mental illness
• Support prescribers, clinical therapists, and nursing staff within the Options program
• Coordinate psychiatric, medical, and medication-related services with residential and community-based providers
• Work closely with local pharmacies to facilitate medication management and continuity of care
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation by transcribing orders and creating and updating medication reconciliation records
• Help address the complex needs of clients through collaboration and coordinated care planning
• 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.

SMHA's primary goal is to provide high-quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

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 using interpersonal skills to support, calm and deescalate clients/patients
• Experience participating with the development of nursing care and treatment plans
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working independently
• Experience using an Electronic Medical Record
• Experience using Microsoft suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Experience transporting clients
• Experience providing case management support

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.