Forensic Treatment Practical Nurse; Part-Time at State of Connecticut Department of Mental Hea

Forensic Treatment Practical Nurse (Part‑Time)

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS) is hiring two Forensic Treatment Practical Nurses for Whiting Forensic Hospital located at 70 Obrien Drive, Middletown, CT. These part‑time positions are designated as Hazardous Duty.

• PCN 151457 – Unit Dutcher 3 North, Part‑Time (24 h):
  First Shift 6:45 A.M.–3:15 P.M.;
  Week 1 on Saturday/Sunday;
  Week 2 on Saturday/Sunday/Monday.
• PCN 135865 – Unit Dutcher 3 North, Part‑Time (32 h):
  First Shift 6:45 A.M.–3:15 P.M.;
  Week 1 on Friday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday;
  Week 2 on Saturday/Sunday/Wednesday/Thursday.

As a State of Connecticut employee you will receive the Agency’s standard benefits package, including a Hazardous Duty pension plan, healthcare, professional development opportunities, and a healthy work/life balance. Partial‑time benefits may vary.

• Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients.
• Implement security regulations and participate in team patient care conferences.
• Perform patient care duties such as feeding, bathing, dressing, and monitoring vital signs.
• Observe, report, and record patient behaviors and appearance.
• Assist doctors and nurses with general care and treatment of individuals.
• Measure doses and administer medications, including insulin injections.
• Document medications and perform narcotic counts.
• Check and administer intravenous medications when appropriate.
• Report changes in individuals to doctors.
• Apply restraints correctly and safe‑guard patients, visitors, and personnel.
• Transcribe doctor’s medication orders.
• Prevent unauthorized movement of patients, visitors, and personnel.
• Perform housekeeping tasks, escort patients, and secure supplies.
• Assist in transfer of patients between secure units across the facility.
• Monitor and participate in patient management on units.
• Perform simple nursing treatments and emergency first aid.
• Maintain patient privacy and documentation integrity.

• Practical nursing specialties and bedside care.
• Modern medical, therapeutic, and psychiatric routines, methods, and procedures.
• Psychiatric procedures and principles involved in care of the mentally ill.
• Various medications used for individuals with mental illness or emotional disturbance.
• Safe patient custody in a security treatment area.
• Infection control practices.
• Human behavior and behavioral manifestations of mental illness.
• Nutrition and diet management.
• Medical and lab sciences.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• Written communication skills.
• Recordkeeping and basic first aid procedures.

License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut or a Multistate/Compact Licensed Practical Nurse license plus at least one (1) year of experience in caring for the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

• Experience in a mental health care or hospital setting.
• Experience working with individuals with behavioral health issues.
• Experience in a secured locked treatment unit.
• Experience with clients who have required restraints or seclusion.

Incumbents may need to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language. Thorough background investigations will be conducted; candidates lacking good character will not be eligible for permanent employment.

Positions may involve lifting and restraining patients, exposure to communicable diseases, risk of injury, and significant mental stress.

The State of Connecticut is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.