Licensed Practical Nurse(Full-time (35 hours) - All shifts)

Introduction

Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) seeking a fulfilling career opportunity? DDS South Region is currently hiring for multiple full-time LPN positions at our Waterford location. We're looking for dedicated individuals who are ready to make a difference in the lives of both children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - 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 comprehensive benefit offerings
• 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.  Click here for more information.
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
• Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• FOR SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT POSITIONS - YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS:  Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second and third shift shall receive a yearly “retention” bonus of six hundred ($600). This bonus shall be paid in two (2) installments: In July and December. In order to be eligible for this bonus, the Employee must have completed one year of service in the classification.

Position Details:

• Shore Road in Waterford
• Multiple full-time
• All shifts
• 70 hours/biweekly positions, with various work schedules.
• However, work schedule flexibility is required in order to meet the demands of the job.  
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Will be required to travel, consistent travel between DDS locations on site and across the state that may need to be done at short notice. 

About Us: 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is dedicated to partnering with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to facilitate lifelong planning and promote meaningful participation within their communities. The mission of DDS revolves around collaborating with individuals and their families to support them throughout their lives and working alongside others to create opportunities for full community engagement.

Key aspects of DDS's vision include fostering safe, empowering relationships; providing continuous support to families; offering lifelong learning opportunities; promoting informed choice and responsibility; facilitating financial independence; and advocating for rights awareness and self-determination. DDS aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions and take responsibility for their lives while recognizing and embracing the dignity of risk-taking in pursuit of personal growth.

If you're passionate about providing compassionate care and meet the qualifications below, we want to hear from you! Apply now and become a valued member of our team at DDS South Region.

Selection Plan

• Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page or view our tutorial.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Edward Magnano, EEO Manager at (860) 418-6148 or Edward.Magnano@ct.gov.
• 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. 
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application 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.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 
• Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov.
• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• 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.
• 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.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
• FOR THOSE WHO HOLD A PRATICAL NURSE LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:
  • Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;
  • Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Licensed Practical Nurse’ and then ‘Start’.
  • 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 (PN for Practical Nurse) 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.

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.

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 providing nursing services to both children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.
• Experience working with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
• Experience communicating with non-verbal individuals.
• 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 supporting individuals that may exhibit mild to severe challenging behaviors.
• Experience communicating internally and externally with a diverse population both over the telephone and in written inquiries.
• Experience using Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Word.

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.