Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour) (Provider Nurse)

CT; Enfield (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut Department of Correction seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour) to provide bedside care and medication management in Enfield, CT. You will coordinate with nursing staff and providers to ensure safe, timely care for inmates and maintain essential supplies and documentation.

This on-site role emphasizes collaboration, patient education, and adherence to clinical standards while supporting specialty clinics and routine nursing duties under supervision.

Qualifications

• Current LPN license in Connecticut or eligible for licensure.
• Experience in a correctional or inpatient setting preferred.
• Ability to manage medication renewals and supply inventory.
• Strong communication, documentation and triage skills.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and perform basic nursing procedures.

Responsibilities

• Administer medications and monitor responses.
• Maintain MD nurse room and restock supplies.
• Support providers during treatments and procedures.
• Manage chronic care in collaboration with providers.
• Coordinate with OSS and Infectious Disease teams.

Skills

Practical nursing

Bedside care

Infection control

Medication administration

Patient education

Education

Licensed Practical Nurse license

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour) in Enfield, CT.

What We Can Offer You

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!

• Professional growth and development opportunities.


• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.


• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Position Highlights

• Monday-Friday 7am-2pm (office/on-site).


• 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.

Our Mission

The State of Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re‑entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law‑abiding and accountable behaviors. Safe and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.

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 with problem solving in a fast-past environment.


• Experience organizing and maintaining stock, monitoring supply expiration dates, and ensuring clinical readiness.


• Experience with medical equipment tracking, including issuing, collecting, and maintaining assistance devices.


• Experience managing specialty clinics (e.g., optometry, podiatry, orthopedics), including scheduling, pacing, and pre-/post-procedure counts.


• Experience triaging and responding and documenting urgent medical situations, including emergency codes.


• Experience administering medications, including DOT/KOP, first-dose administration, and medication reconciliation.

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.