Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut - DMHAS Connecticut Valley Hospital; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Connecticut DMHAS is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse for the Ambulatory Care Services unit at Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, CT. The role includes reviewing and triaging consultation requests, coordinating appointments, and preparing referral materials.

The position requires strong nursing knowledge, medical terminology, and proficiency with Excel. The nurse may support the CVH flu vaccination program and collaborates with external providers and internal staff.

Qualifications

• Licensed Practical Nurse with CT license or compact license.
• Experience in clinical tasks for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities preferred.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel for nursing logs and data tracking.
• Experience coordinating with physicians, providers, and internal staff for triage decisions.

Responsibilities

• Assist doctors and nurses in general care and treatment.
• Administer medications and injections as ordered and document doses.
• Transcribe orders and monitor vital signs.
• Assist with scheduling, referrals, and test ordering.

Skills

Bedside care

Communication

Medical terminology

Medical documentation

Triaging/coordination

Nursing judgment

Education

LPN license (Connecticut)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Introduction

Are looking for an exciting opportunity to make an impact and advance your career? Join us and be part of a revolutionary team shaping the future!

The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is now hiring for a Licensed Practical Nurse to join their team!

This position requires a strong understanding of medical terminology and foundational nursing knowledge to effectively review and triage consultation requests and appointment-related information. The individual must possess strong computer skills, particularly in Excel, and have effective communication abilities to coordinate with outside providers, internal staff, and ACS providers. Knowledge of medical documentation needed for ordering tests, scheduling appointments, and preparing required referral materials is essential. Additionally, this position will assist with the annual CVH flu vaccination program.

Highlights

• FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
• UNIT: Ambulatory Care Services
• LOCATION: 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
• SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
• POSITION NUMBER: 130156

New! We’re excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.

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

ABOUT US

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

CVH opened in 1868 as the State’s public hospital for the treatment of persons with mental illness. Today, CVH is the largest of DMHAS facilities, and includes 17 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). The hospital includes both a general psychiatry and addiction services units. CVH provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care and substance abuse treatment, including treatment for pregnant women and persons with dual diagnoses. Specialty areas include geriatric and special services, an integrated network of comprehensive mental health services for older adults and young adult services. The facility also runs the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program which addresses the needs of TBI survivors, including reintegration into community living, independent living skills development, vocational and educational training, psychiatric, cognitive and neurological assessment and treatment, speech and physical rehabilitation as well as individual and family counseling.

PLEASE NOTE

A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.

All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

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 individual 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 psychiatric or substance use disorders
• Experience performing licensed practical nurse level clinical tasks in a medical office environment
• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, for maintaining nursing logs, tracking patient information, or supporting database-related tasks
• Experience gathering relevant clinical information and relaying it to providers to support safe, effective triage decisions

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.