Infection Control Practitioner (35 Hour)

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to support the work of others? If so, we encourage you to apply today!

Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) seeks an experienced and qualified individual for a meaningful role as an Infection Control Practitioner (PCN# 125917), located at 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. This is a full-time, 35 hours per week position, with a work schedule, 8:30am to 4:00pm; Monday through Friday.

Discover the opportunity to:

• Develop and assist with implementation of all phases of infection control/prevention.
• Develop and assist with the implementation of all phases of pandemic preparedness including screening processes for staff, clients and visitors.
• Investigate, analyze and evaluate infections in staff, clients and visitors.
• Review potential infection threats in surrounding cities and states.
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures involving infection prevention/control.
• To be in liaison with the facility Safety Committee, DMHAS Infection Control Committees, Department of Public Health and any other official bodies needed to stay current and address potential infectious concerns.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chanhda.Ly@ct.gov.

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.