Licensed Practical Nurse (35 Hour) Office/On-site #260831-5415HN-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – West Region Public Programs – is accepting applications for a full-time second shift Licensed Practical Nurse position located at the Lower Fairfield Center (LFC) Norwalk, CT. We invite compassionate and dedicated nursing professionals committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to apply.

Role Overview

As a Licensed Practical Nurse, you will play an essential role in delivering quality health care, promoting individual well-being, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe and effective treatment. You will assist physicians and registered nurses in providing comprehensive care, administer medications and treatments, monitor and document individual health status, and respond to changing medical needs. You will help maintain a safe and healthy living environment, support individuals in understanding their medications and care, perform a variety of nursing procedures, and contribute to emergency response efforts when needed. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day by providing skilled, person-centered care that enhances the health, dignity, and quality of life of the individuals we serve.

Position Highlights

• Location: Lower Fairfield Center (LFC) Norwalk, CT
• PCN: 19868
• Schedule: Full-time | 2nd Shift | 70 Hours bi-weekly
• Week 1 (35 hrs): Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday 2p–9:30p (Regular Days Off: Monday and Tuesday)
• Week 2 (35 hrs): Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 2p–9:30p (Regular Days Off: Friday and Wednesday)
• Work schedule flexibility is required in order to meet the demands of the job.

Bonus

Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second shift shall receive a yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred dollars ($600), paid in two installments in July and December. To be eligible, the Employee must have completed one year of service in the classification.

What We Can Offer You

• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities
• A healthy work-life balance
• The 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

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services is to partner with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.

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

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Knowledge of practical nursing specialties and bedside care
• Knowledge of various medications used in conjunction for the care of individuals who have physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability
• Knowledge of infection control practices
• Knowledge of nutrition and diets
• Knowledge of medical and lab sciences
• Considerable interpersonal skills
• Oral communication and written skills
• Ability to keep records
• Ability to lead staff

Minimum Qualifications

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

• One (1) year LPN experience
• Experience providing nursing services to both children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder
• Experience communicating with non-verbal individuals
• Experience supporting individuals that may exhibit mild to severe challenging behaviors
• Experience with basic nursing skills including, but not limited to: administering medication and nutrition via G-Tube or J-Tube; glucose monitoring, insulin administration; respiratory treatments, colostomy; cecostomy; urostomy care; wound care; and catheterization
• Experience with infection control practices
• Experience communicating with interdisciplinary teams and medical providers both over the telephone and in written correspondence
• Experience using Microsoft applications including Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Word

Special Requirements

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.