Licensed Practical Nurse

Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? If so, an exciting and fulfilling career awaits you Join our fantastic team of dedicated health professionals in state service by applying today The , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services () is currently seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of . Position Highlights: FACILITY:  Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System () TEAM:  Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 2 LOCATION:  Bridgeport, CT SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours), 3rd shift, 12:15am - 8:15am with every other weekend and rotating holidays. POSITION NUMBER: 28077 What We Can Offer You: The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with  Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings 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. Click for more information. Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year Professional growth and development opportunities A healthy to all employees Discover The Opportunity To: 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 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. 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. The vision of the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System is to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent.

Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) 42 beds: The PICU 1 and PICU 2 each provide 21 beds for residents of Connecticut. Admissions to the psychiatric units are coordinated through a statewide Utilization Management process coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner. Both locked units are responsible for providing treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients 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 to return to community-based living. PICU treatment staff work closely with community providers to ensure that a smooth transition to the community exists. PICU 1 provides assessment and stabilization, with the emphasis on community reentry. PICU 2, the extended care unit, focuses on rehabilitation with an emphasis on intense skills building needed for community reintegration.

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make a difference

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:Please or our Applicant Tips on How to ApplyTo 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 , 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 . 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, 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  . 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 . 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 .

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

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.

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.

Overview

Employee Benefits As a State of Connecticut employee you may be entitled to a host of benefits that are not only attractive, but also may be portable should your career bring you to other avenues of state service. From 13 paid holidays to accruing vacation time, being a State of Connecticut employee not only gives you the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, but the time to enjoy your own. Listed below are just some of the benefits the State of Connecticut offers depending on the position you hold: Health & Dental Insurance Accrued Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave (Subject to the appropriate bargaining union contract or state statute and regulations.) Retirement Plan Group Life Insurance Supplemental Benefits Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care Program, Medical Flexible Spending, and Qualified Transportation) Supplemental Benefits Programs (Auto and Home Insurance, plus Short and Long Term Disability) Life Insurance State of CT Tuition Reimbursement Program Holidays

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