Infection Control Practitioner (40 Hour)

Our mission at 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 DMHAS, Capitol Region Mental Health Center (CRMHC) seeks an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Infection Control Practitioner PCN 26882 and is within our Quality Improvement division. This position, under the Direction of the Director of Nursing, oversees the agency’s preparation and response to infectious concerns including one inpatient unit, two large buildings housing more than 230 staff, serving about 2,000 clients and a 10-bed residential site. We are passionate about the work we do!  We are located at 500 Vine Street, Hartford, CT. This is a full-time, forty (40) hours per week position. The work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we want you to join us!

Discover the opportunity to:

• Consult, develop and assist with implementation of all phases of infection control/prevention and pandemic preparedness including screening processes for staff, clients and visitors, inventory and ordering of personal protective equipment (PPE), and conducting fit testing of PPE;
• Investigate, analyze and evaluate infections in staff, clients and visitors as well as review potential infection threats in the surrounding city and state;
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures involving infection prevention/control and liaison with the facility Safety Committee, the DMHAS infection control committees, the Department of Public Health and any other official bodies needed to stay current with and address potential infectious concerns. 

We participate in a generous, competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off!

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume in the “Resume Tab” of your application as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.  Individuals considered for interview will be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include performance reviews, attendance, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc.  You do not have to attach these documents to your application. 

Questions about this recruitment should be directed to Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov or (860) 262-6745.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

In a state facility this class is accountable for coordinating the Infection Control Program and for serving as a liaison between all departments and the Infection Control Committee.

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for coordinating hospital acquired infection control activities and serving as a liaison to health care facilities regarding infection control.

Conducts surveillance of infections in patients/clients and employees; prepares monthly reports, statistical summaries and analyses of infections for the Infection Control Committee; writes policies and procedures for infection prevention and control; develops and conducts inservice education programs for all facility personnel to improve knowledge and practices of infection control and epidemiology of infectious diseases; maintains records of all patients/clients with infections; consults with Epidemiologists in Department of Public Health when clusters of infection occur and/or unusual pathogens are isolated; reports and provides information required by Department of Public Health or other official bodies; consults in infection control aspects of employee health program including immunization and other similar activities; develops and updates isolation techniques according to current standards of practice which provide optimum care for patients/clients with infections; monitors patient/client care activities to identify methods, techniques, equipment, supplies, new products and/or specific policies or procedures which may constitute a risk of originating or transmitting infections; reviews sterilization and disinfection methods practiced in all areas of facility and makes recommendations for changes; may attend educational conferences related to specialty; performs related duties as required.

Department of Public Health: Trains infection control practitioners in acute care hospitals to conduct surveillance of hospital-associated infections according to accepted standards; conducts on-site inspection of surveillance methods and findings; analyzes surveillance results to determine rates of hospital-associated infections; coordinates and conducts meetings with hospital infection control practitioners to review collective surveillance results and to establish best practices for surveillance and prevention of hospital-associated infections; develops and implements educational programs for health care staff and the general public; assists in investigation of reported outbreaks of infections in hospitals and long-term care facilities; provides consultation to infection control practitioners as needed; assists in conducting pilot surveillance efforts for hospital infections not currently under statewide surveillance; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of infection control with special reference to infections and preventable diseases; considerable knowledge of theories and practices of microbiology, epidemiology, nursing, statistics and public health; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to conduct independent research and evaluate results in field of epidemiology and infection control.

A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and three (3) years of professional experience in direct patient/client care services.

A Master's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain licensure as a Registered Nurse issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health in accordance with the applicable Connecticut General Statutes.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to undergo immunization for infectious diseases.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

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.