Licensed Practical Nurse (36 Hour)

State of Connecticut - DOC Inmate Medical Services; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Work-life balance

Job summary

State of Connecticut - DOC Inmate Medical Services is seeking a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to provide bedside care and support in multiple correctional facilities across the state. The role involves administering medications, monitoring patients, and maintaining health records within a secure environment.

Candidates should hold Connecticut LPN licensure, have strong communication and teamwork skills, and be prepared for varied shifts.

Qualifications

• Must possess a Connecticut LPN license.
• Experience in correctional or mental health settings preferred.
• Strong bedside nursing skills and safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Assist physicians and nurses with patient care in a correctional setting.
• Administer medications and monitor patient responses.
• Document treatments and maintain accurate health records.
• Support security and safety protocols within the unit.
• Provide patient education on medications and care.

Skills

Practical nursing

Bedside care

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Infection control

Medication administration

Record keeping

Staff leadership

Education

LPN license

Connecticut LPN credential

CPR certification

Tools

EHR / Electronic Health Records

Job description

Introduction

What we can offer you

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more!

Additional perks of working as an LPN for the DOC:

• 2nd and 3rd shift/weekend differential;
• Licensure reimbursement;
• A Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV) -Retire in 25 years - with pension & healthcare benefits;
• Opportunities for career advancement and educational support, including tuition reimbursement programs (after 6 months of employment) and career-mobility that allows you to get paid to go to school!

Position Highlights

These positions are full time, 36 hours per week with first, second, & third shifts opportunities at facilities throughout the state:

• Bridgeport Correctional Center - Bridgeport, CT
• Cheshire Correctional Institution - Cheshire, CT
• Manson Youth Institution - Cheshire, CT
• York Correctional Institution - East Lyme, CT
• Cybulski Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT
• Carl Robinson Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT
• Hartford Correctional Center - Hartford, CT
• Corrigan Correctional Center - Montville, CT
• New Haven Correctional Center - New Haven, CT
• Garner Correctional Institution - Newtown, CT
• Osborn Correctional Institution - Somers, CT
• MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution - Suffield, CT

The position assignments can be for any unit/location and work schedule/shift as follows:

• First Shift: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Second Shift: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
• Third Shift: 11:00 pm - 7:00 am
• First Shift: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Second Shift: 4:00 pm - 12:00 am
• Third Shift: 12:00 am - 8:00 am
• 7:00 am - 7:00 pm; 7:00 pm - 7:00 am
• 8:00 am - 8:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 8:00 am
• 11:00 am - 11:00 pm; 11:00 pm - 11:00 am
• 12:00 pm - 12:00 am; 12:00 am - 12:00 pm

NOTE: Facilities with an asterisk (*) are those that offer a 12 hour schedule. Twelve hour shifts are limited at each location and not always available.

The LPN classification is Hazardous Duty. Please see 'Selection Plan' for more information.

More details can be found in the class specification.

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.

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 Correctional or Forensic populations;
• Experience utilizing Electronic Health Records;
• Experience with bar code scanning for medication administration;
• Experience administering medications to over 50 patients in a given med pass.

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.