Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut - Department of Children & Families; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retention bonus ($600 on 2nd/3rd shift

Professional development opportunities

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families, is seeking Licensed Practical Nurses for full-time positions at John Dempsey Hospital in Middletown, CT. You will provide essential bedside nursing care, administer medications, and work within an interdisciplinary team across first, second, or third shifts.

Second and third shift LPNs may receive a yearly $600 retention bonus; the role offers professional development opportunities and loan forgiveness under public service programs.

Qualifications

• License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut.
• Ability to work rotating shifts.
• Experience in settings serving children and families preferred.
• Knowledge of medication administration and monitoring.
• Ability to maintain accurate health records.
• Willingness to collaborate with physicians and other team members.

Responsibilities

• Assist doctors and nurses in general care and treatments.
• Measure doses and administer medications (including insulin).
• Document medications using appropriate forms.
• Perform narcotic counts and monitor supplies.
• Administer intravenous medications where applicable.
• Report changes in individuals to healthcare teams.

Skills

Nursing bedside care

Medication administration

Infection control

Nutrition and diet knowledge

Medical and lab sciences

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Record keeping

Lead staff

Education

LPN license (Connecticut)

Job description

Introduction

Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse looking to make a difference in the lives of children and their families? If so, we invite you to take this opportunity to join the Department of Children and Families! The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) – is accepting applications for multiple full-time first, second and third shift Licensed Practical Nurse positions at John Dempsey Hospital in Middletown, CT. In this rewarding role, you will provide essential nursing care and support to individuals while working as a valued member of an interdisciplinary team. You will have the opportunity to use your clinical knowledge and skills to administer medications and treatments, monitor and document individual health conditions, respond to changes in health and behavior, and collaborate with doctors and nurses to ensure quality care. If you are a compassionate and dedicated nursing professional who takes pride in providing safe, attentive, and person-centered care, we invite you to join our team and help improve outcomes for the children and families we serve.

FOR SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT POSITIONS - YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS: Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second and third shift shall receive a yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred ($600). This bonus shall be paid in two (2) installments: In July and December. In order to be eligible for this bonus, the Employee must have completed one year of service in the classification.

Position Highlights

• Full-time | 8 hours per day | 40 Hours per week | Rotating Weekends
• Available Shifts
• First | 7:00 am – 3:30 pm
• Second | 2:45 pm – 11:15 pm
• Third | 11:10 pm – 7:10 am
• Work schedule flexibility is required to meet the needs of the agency.
• Current DCF employees wishing to be considered for a lateral transfer should apply.

What we can offer you

• Professional growth and paid professional 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.

DCF Mission Statement

Partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive.

About the State of Connecticut

Living in Connecticut allows you to live with mountains, forests, ocean fronts, rivers, and a wonderful green countryside right at your doorstep. The state has charm, elegance, and a high standard of living. Our school systems offer an outstanding education, and our communities are among the safest in the country. Connecticut experiences all four seasons and gives you the option to choose living in sophisticated country-life or living in the center of a lively city.

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;
• Knowledge of various medications used in conjunction for the care of individuals who have physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability;
• Knowledge of infection control practices;
• Knowledge of nutrition and diets;
• Knowledge of medical and lab sciences;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• Oral communication and written skills;
• Ability to keep records;
• Ability to 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.

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

Experience in a psychiatric setting

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.