Our Agency

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities and hospital services.

Georgia Regional Hospital at Savannah (GRHS) is a state-funded multi-service facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The hospital provides quality care to mentally ill adults and individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities from its 34-county catchment area in Southeast Georgia. GRHS opened in December of 1970 with a design to decentralize mental health services in the state and treat people nearer to their homes and families. The hospital provides evaluation and treatment to clients needing care. The hospital's admitting office is a psychiatric emergency receiving facility open 24 hours a day.

GRHS is seeking candidates for the position of Licensed Practical Nurse (Hourly) – Varied Shifts. This is an hourly position. Hourly positions work on average 29 hours per week and are not eligible for State Benefits.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. 

Job Summary

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides general direct nursing care to injured, ill, convalescent or disabled individuals/ patients
• Provides medical treatments, administers medication and injections
• May supervise and/or direct the work of support staff
• Administers prescribed medications or starts intravenous fluids, and notes times and amounts on individuals’ charts
• Answers individuals' calls and determines how to assist them
• Helps individuals with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, moving in bed, and standing and walking
• Measures and records individuals' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration
• Observes individuals, charting and reporting changes in individuals' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action
• Provides basic care and treatments, such as dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas, douches, alcohol rubs, and massages, or performing catheterizations
• Records food and fluid intake and output
• Works as part of a health care team to assess individual needs, plan and modify care and implement interventions

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the State Qualifications, preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

• Licensed by the State of Georgia and/or Nurse Licensure Compact Multi-State License to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Georgia
• Experience working in an adult mental health care facility a plus but not required.

Employment Requirements
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia. 

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:

• Drug Screening
• TB Evaluation
• Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.