Introduction
Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently recruiting for a Licensed Practical Nurse with exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to providing outstanding care to join our team.
Position Highlights:
- FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
- LOCATION: Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (GBCMHC), Bridgeport, CT
- UNIT: Hospital Services Division, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 1 (PICU 1)
- SCHEDULE: Full-time, 35 hours per week – 2nd Shift, 4:00pm – 12:30am, Every other weekend and rotating holidays
- POSITION NUMBER: 127910
Discover The Opportunity To:
- Provide substantial input regarding patient care needs, response to treatment, recommend modifications in the overall plan of care;
- Provide direct patient care that includes education, counseling, medication administration and documentation of the treatment and progress made by the patient;
- Engage in a rewarding career;
- Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
- Thrive in an exciting environment;
- Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
The Role:
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
- Provide
general care and treatment of individuals per MD orders;
-
Administer
medications per order;
- Transcribes
doctors medication orders;
- Documents
medications administered in Kardex;
- Complete narcotic counts with
nurse verification;
- Reports changes in
individuals’ conditions to Nurse or Doctors;
- Checks
vitals per unit policy for provider review, assist with general individual
needs including personal hygiene;
- Orient and train new staff on
unit policies and standards of care when administering medications;
- Scheduling
medical appointments;
- Provide continuity and
coordination of patient care;
- Collaborate
with unit staff and be responsive to patient care needs.
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.
SWCMHS is responsible for the oversight and management of contracts with private not-for-profit agencies and residential providers providing mental health services in the southwest region of the state. With locations in Bridgeport and Stamford, SWCMHS provides inpatient, outpatient and assertive community treatment (ACT) services and community support services for adults with severe behavioral health disabilities; mental health services for people who are deaf or hearing impaired and a mobile crisis intervention team. SWCMHS also provides outreach to people who are homeless and mentally ill. Special agency programs include Shelter Plus Care, a housing program for people who are homeless and who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness or who have AIDS.
Please note:
We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make a difference!
Selection Plan
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
To Apply:
- In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
- In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
- All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
- Although applicants will receive correspondence via email and/or phone, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
- This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
- Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
- Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
- 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
- For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Connect With Us:
- Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
- Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Julie Barker via email at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.
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
License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut by the State Board of Examiners for Nursing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with individuals impacted by trauma,
mental health, and substance abuse disorders.
- Experience with patients/clients with psychiatric
disabilities in a hospital setting.
- Experience advocating for services that meet client needs.
- Experience in participating with the development of
nursing care and treatment plans.
- Experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience providing assistance with activities of daily
living in an inpatient setting.
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.