Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour) Office/On-site #261109-5415HN-001

State of Connecticut; Norwich (CT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive state employee benefits

Professional growth and career develop

Commitment to work/life balance

Job summary

Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse for the southeastern mental health authority's outpatient program in Norwich. The role supports prescribers, therapists, and nursing staff, coordinating psychiatric and medical services, and maintaining accurate documentation.

The position offers full-time hours, weekday schedule, and opportunities for professional growth within state employment benefits and a commitment to work-life balance.

Qualifications

• License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut
• Experience with nursing bedside care and team collaboration
• Ability to document accurately and maintain records

Responsibilities

• Assist doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of individuals
• Measure doses and administer medications
• Document medications using appropriate forms
• Transcribe orders and maintain medication reconciliation
• Collaborate with prescribers, therapists and nursing staff
• Coordinate care planning with residential and community-based providers
• Keep the unit safe and healthy

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Keep records

Lead staff

Nursing knowledge

Infection control practices

Nutrition and diets

Medical and lab sciences

Education

LPN license in CT

Tools

Electronic Medical Record

Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/Outlook)

Job description

Introduction

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.

Selection Plan

For Those Who Hold An Rn License In a State Other Than Connecticut And Do Not Hold a Multistate Or Compact Lpn License , And Wish To Apply For a Connecticut License, Please

• Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license
• Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Licensed Practical Nurse’ and then ‘Start’
• Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s: Nursys® System. To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select ‘SEARCH’. Review the results and select the ‘Next’ button. Check the box next to ‘Connecticut’ and complete the transaction. Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH. Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys. Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

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.

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.

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.