Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Hour) Office/On-site Recruitment #260813-5415FK-001 Location Bridgeport, CT Date Opened 8/28/2026 12:00:00 AM Salary $66,656• - $89,108/year (•New State Employees Start at Minimum) Job Type Open to the Public Close Date 9/8/2026 11:59:00 PM

INTRODUCTION

Are you an LPN looking to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital's team! The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking Licensed Practical Nurses to join our team in Bridgeport. These positions will provide direct nursing care and support within our Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) 2 Unit. Find out more information on this great opportunity below!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

Location:

1635 Central Ave, Bridgeport, CT

PCNs:

126676 and 127911 (Anticipated)

Shift:

Full-time, Second Shift, 40 hours/week

Schedule:

Monday to Friday, 4:00pm to 12:30am, Every other weekend and rotating holidays

Unit:

PICU 2, 7th Floor The PICU 2 provide 21 beds for residents of Connecticut. It is a locked unit 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 2, the extended care unit, focuses on rehabilitation with an emphasis on intense skills building needed for community reintegration.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Each Licensed Practical Nurse who is permanently assigned to second and third shift may 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.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Provide general care and treatment of individuals per doctor's orders Administer medications per order Document medications using appropriate forms Complete narcotic counts with nurse verification Report changes in individuals' conditions to Nurse or Doctors Transcribe doctors' medication orders Check vitals per unit policy for provider review, assist with general individual needs including personal hygiene Document medications administered in Kardex; Orient and train new staff on unit policies and standards of care when administering medications Scheduling medical appointments May drive individuals to necessary appointments/outings

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (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. Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!

Please note:

A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

SELECTION PLAN

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 

DAS.SHRM

@ct.gov.

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 www.ct.gov/ethics. 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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.

Fried@ct.gov. 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; 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; Orients individuals concerning medications and their use; May perform emergency first aid; May drive individual to necessary appointments/outings; Performs related duties as required, find additional information here.

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 in practical nursing and bedside care. Experience with infection control practices. Experience working with medications commonly used in the care of individuals with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities. Experience applying Word and Excel skills to complete administrative and reporting tasks. Experience using an Electronic Medical Record. Experience transporting clients.

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