Licensed Practical Nurse (Part-Time)

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 Southeastern 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.

Selection Plan

FOR THOSE WHO HOLD AN RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND DO NOT HOLD A MULTISTATE OR COMPACT LPN LICENSE, AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:

1. Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;
2. Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the 'Public Health Practitioners' grouping, select 'Licensed Practical Nurse' and then 'Start';
3. Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's : Nursys® System. To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select 'SEARCH'. Review the results and select the 'Next' button. Check the box next to 'Connecticut' and complete the transaction. Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH. Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys. Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.


BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Salary Calculations : 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.

• Note : The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note : This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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

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

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:


Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Ben Beaudry at View email address on click.appcast.io.


Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

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.

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.