Become a nurse with OPWDD
As a nurse with OPWDD, you will care for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome and Cerebral palsy. Below is a sampling of positions available to nurses within the agency.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
As a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at OPWDD you would be involved in the treatment of people with developmental disabilities under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). You would administer medications and injections; perform tube feedings; hang IVs; collect blood samples, if certified for venipuncture; provide colostomy care; observe patients and report changes in their condition; take and record temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure; obtain specimens for analysis and perform other medical procedures as ordered by a physician. You would prepare and apply simple dressings; bathe and feed; and care for people and their homes by performing such tasks as making beds, changing linen, lifting and moving people and caring for their personal effects.
Nurse 1
As a Nurse 1 with OPWDD, you would provide professional nursing services including providing direct nursing care in the areas of health maintenance, nutrition, activities of daily living and the treatment and prevention of illness. You may also take part in nursing interventions and their documentation, case finding, health teaching/counseling and provision of supportive and/or restorative care. Additionally, you would participate in staff training, prepare clinical and administrative reports, maintain infection control standards and function as a member of a treatment team.
Nurse 2
As a Nurse 2 with OPWDD, you would provide professional nursing services including providing direct nursing care in the areas of health maintenance, nutrition, activities of daily living, and the treatment and prevention of illness. Services may also include, but are not limited to, nursing interventions and their documentation, case finding, health teaching/counseling and provision of supportive and/or restorative care. Additionally, you would participate in staff training, prepare clinical and administrative reports, maintain infection control standards, and function as a member of a treatment team. You may also provide supervision to subordinate professional, paraprofessional, and support staff in the performance of their patient/resident care duties and be responsible for maintaining inventory standards for medicine, controlled drugs and narcotics.
View Nurse 2 exam announcement.
Community Mental Health Nurse
As a Community Mental Health Nurse, you would work within the framework of a treatment team. You would visit the person's home to identify factors in the social, psychological, and physical environment which may contribute to this person's disability; make recommendations for emergency or continuing care; suggest alternative treatment plans; educate families on methods of dealing with emergencies; and provide advice on the availability of medical, social, and housing facilities for the person in the community. You would intervene in crisis situations and administer emergency treatment; engage in treatment modalities such as health teaching, individual and group psychotherapy, family therapy, or milieu therapy as appropriate; work with appropriate community agencies as necessary and ensure a coordinated team treatment plan. You might supervise and counsel paraprofessional and professional personnel in community mental health activities and participate in the staff development program at the facility.
Nurse Practitioner
As a Nurse Practitioner, you would provide primary health care working in collaboration with a licensed physician or physicians. You would assess the physical and psychosocial status of people by means of interview, health history, physical examination and diagnostic tests. Your work may include the diagnosis of illness and physical conditions and the performance of therapeutic and corrective measures.
Professional Development & Training Opportunities for Nurses
As a nurse with OPWDD you will have several professional development opportunities to take advantage of:
- Workplace Skills and Professional Development Courses offer opportunities for training and development through programs on such topics as State policy, supervision and management development and workplace skills.
- The Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) is designed to meet employees' professional development needs, maintain and increase their professional competencies, and enhance preparation for promotional opportunities. The program offers training via classroom or online courses on workplace skills and topics specific to nursing.
- Public Service Training Program (PSTP) offers professional development programs for eligible employees. This program offers reimbursement for qualifying courses, events or examinations.
Nursing Career Opportunities with OPWDD
Search for Nursing positions available at OPWDD.
New York State strives to offer salaries competitive with the job market. Your salary as a nurse is based on your education, experience and where you will work. This may include enhancements based on the job market and geographic region.
Evening and night shift positions may be eligible for shift pay. For detailed information about salaries for each position, please reference the job posting.