Licensed Practical Nurse (Part-Time)

State of Connecticut - DMHAS SE Mental Health; Norwich (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive state employee benefits

Career development opportunities

Healthy work/life balance

Job summary

State of Connecticut - DMHAS Southeast Mental Health Authority in Norwich is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for brief care stabilization. The role supports safe, consistent nursing care, administers medications, and documents care in the unit.

Part-time, 32 hours per week, first shift 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, with potential weekend differentials. The position emphasizes teamwork, medication administration, and adherence to clinical documentation standards within a state facility.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Connecticut license or temporary permit to practice nursing as an LPN
• Experience with safe medication administration and accurate clinical documentation
• Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) for documenting patient information

Responsibilities

• Assists doctors and nurses in general care and treatment of individuals
• Administers medications including insulin injections
• Documents medications and performs narcotic counts
• Checks and may administer intravenous medications; reports changes to doctors
• Provides basic nursing treatments including vital signs and Foley catheterization
• Maintains a safe and healthy unit and supportive care environment
• Performs related duties as required

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Education

LPN license

Tools

EHR (Electronic Health Records)

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Introduction

Use your nursing skills to support individuals in brief-care stabilization and contribute to safe, consistent care at SMHA. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has an opening for a Licensed Practical Nurse (PCN 26050) for Southeast Mental Health Authority (SMHA) Brief Care in Norwich.

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

Schedule

• Part‑time, 32 hours per week
• First shift, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Week 1: Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Week 2: Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
• *May be eligible for weekend differential

What We Can Offer You

• Comprehensive state employee benefits
• Access the State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options
• Professional growth and career development opportunities
• A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance
• *Benefits may vary or may not apply to certain part‑time positions.

Position Highlights

• Assists doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of individuals
• Administers medications including measured doses and insulin injections
• Documents and transcribes medication information and performs narcotic counts
• Checks and may administer intravenous medications while reporting condition changes to doctors
• Provides basic nursing treatments including vital signs, personal care monitoring and Foley catheterization
• Maintains a safe and healthy unit by ensuring proper procedures, medication orientation and emergency support
• Other duties as assigned

A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug‑Free Workplace Policy.

About Us

DMHAS is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated, holistic network of services that foster dignity, respect, and self‑sufficiency.

SMHA's primary goal is to provide high-quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns.

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 safe medication administration and accurate clinical documentation
• Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) for documenting and updating patient information
• Experience with working both independently and as part of a healthcare team
• Experience with medications used in the care of individuals with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel for patient documentation, scheduling, and record maintenance
• Experience with basic nursing principles, practical nursing duties, medication administration, and infection‑control practices

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.

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

Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

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.