Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)

CT; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth and development

Healthy work/life balance

Job summary

State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse for the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) in Bridgeport, CT. The role covers inpatient care on the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU) with 5th Floor staff, on third shift, Monday–Friday, 12:15am–8:15am, with every other weekend and rotating holidays.

In this role you will provide bedside care, administer medications, document accurately, perform narcotic counts, and

Qualifications

• License to practice practical nursing in Connecticut.
• Experience with medications used in care of individuals with disabilities.
• Experience using an Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Experience transporting clients is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide general care and treatment per doctor's orders.
• Administer medications per order and document.
• Document medications using appropriate forms.
• Transcribe doctors' medication orders.
• Check vitals per unit policy and assist with personal hygiene.
• May drive individuals to appointments/outings.

Skills

Bedside care

Nursing medications

Infection control

Nutrition and diets

Medical and lab sciences

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Record keeping

Lead staff

Education

License or compact LPN license (CT)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Introduction

Are you an LPN looking to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital’s team! The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Licensed Practical Nurse. New! We’re excited that Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Licensed Practical Nurse.

HIGHLIGHTS

• FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
• LOCATION: 1635 Central Ave, Bridgeport, CT
• DIVISION: Hospital Services Division
• UNITS: Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU), 5th Floor
• POSITION NUMBER: 00112719
• SCHEDULE: Full-time, Third Shift, 40 hours/week, Monday to Friday, 12:15am - 8:15am, Every other weekend and rotating holidays

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second and third shift may 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.

This position is eligible for shift and weekend differential.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Provide general care and treatment of individuals per doctor's orders
• Administer medications per order
• Document medications using appropriate forms
• Complete narcotic counts with nurse verification
• Report changes in individuals’ conditions to Nurse or Doctors
• Transcribe doctors' medication orders
• Check vitals per unit policy for provider review, assist with general individual needs including personal hygiene
• Document medications administered in Kardex
• Orient and train new staff on unit policies and standards of care when administering medications
• Scheduling medical appointments
• May drive individuals to necessary appointments/outings

OUR MISSION

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. The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.

The Hospital Services Division offers an array of services to meet the needs of individuals, 18 years of age and older with prolonged psychiatric and co-occurring illnesses, who require hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of their symptoms and for those requiring continued rehabilitation before returning to the community. Patients are served in the following locations: Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 1 (PICU I), Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU II), and the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU).

The Hospital Services Division is made up of a total of 62 beds The PICU 1 and PICU 2 each provide 21 beds, and the CTU provides 20 beds, for residents of Connecticut. Admissions to the inpatient units are coordinated through a statewide Utilization Management process coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner Medical Director’s Office. All three locked units are responsible for providing treatment to individuals who are severely, acutely and persistently psychiatrically disabled who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care. The treatment goals are developed in which the individual can be stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive environment or lo return to community-based living. Hospital Services Division treatment staff work closely with community providers to ensure that a smooth transition to the community exists. All Hospital Services Division units provide assessment and stabilization, with the emphasis on community reentry and focus on rehabilitation with an emphasis on intense skills building needed for community reintegration.

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

• 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;
• interpersonal skills;
• oral communication and written skills;
• 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 in practical nursing and bedside care.
• Experience with infection control practices.
• Experience working with medications commonly used in the care of individuals with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities.
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel to complete daily notes, update logs, and track information.
• Experience using an Electronic Medical Record.
• Experience transporting clients.

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.

E-VERIFY

This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

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.