Health Services Worker (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is recruiting for multiple emergency hire Health Services Worker positions. These positions are temporary/full-time (up to 35 hours per week) within the Facility Licensing and Investigations Section (FLIS) of the Healthcare Quality & Safety Branch of the Department of Public Health. The Health Services Worker will be accompanying the DPH Nursing staff and will act as Ancillary Monitors.

DPH will send pairs of individuals into a facility. A DPH Nursing staff takes the lead on the monitoring visit and the Health Services Worker will partner with the Nurse Consultant to observe and record the care and conditions in a nursing home. The Health Services Worker will not be responsible for providing direct care. They will not be required to go into COVID Units or Quarantine Units. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) will be provided. Training will be provided to the Health Services Workers before they go out into the field. 

The following are examples of the types of duties Health Services Workers (Ancillary Monitors) may be asked to perform:  

1.       RESIDENT CENSUS:  Obtain resident census from nursing home administration and record this information on appropriate forms.

2.       NURSE STAFFING:  Obtain copy of nurse staffing from nursing home administration; verify present shift staff with the names on the staffing sheet; verify that nurses (RNs and LPNs) meet current Connecticut requirements to practice and that nurse aides are on the NA Registry, (e.g., ask to see licenses, temporary permits, certificates or examine personnel file).  

3.       SUPPLIES:  Verify with nursing home administration that vendors of supplies are continuing to service the facility, or that alternative sources and delivery methods have been identified and implemented.  

4.       DIETARY:  Observe dietary staffing and match with staff on duty; obtain meal schedule; match posted menu for meal being prepared; observe passing of food trays to ensure residents are given the correct trays and are provided any necessary assistance; observe cleanliness of kitchen and dining areas; record dishwasher temperatures; ensure adequate supplies of food are on-site.  

5.       WATER TEMPERATURES IN RESIDENT USE AREAS:  Test water temperatures in resident use areas.

6.       SAFETY SYSTEMS AND PROTOCOLS:  

        a. CALL BELLS – Randomly select and test resident call bells on each unit to ensure they are functioning. 

        b. EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEMS – Randomly select and test emergency call systems in resident bathroom, physical therapy room, etc.

        c. FIRE EXITS – Observe fire exits to ensure they are not obstructed.

        d. SIGNAGE – Observe exit signs for proper illumination; observe that proper signage is posted for designating areas that are appropriate for smoking, and those for which smoking is not allowed.

        e. SMOKING – Observe that smoking by residents is supervised.  

7.       LINEN SUPPLIES:  Check linen supplies (Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies require three times licensed capacity for sheets, pillow cases, towels, washcloths), by counting clean linens on carts, in linen rooms, and in the laundry area.   

8.       LAUNDRY:  Obtain staffing information, and verify that this area is being staffed; ensure that there is an adequate supply of laundry supplies, that there is not an overflow of soiled linen.  

9.       RECREATION:  Obtain staffing information and schedule for programs; verify that area is being staffed and that programs are being conducted.  

10.    HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:  Observe that hazardous products (e.g. bleach, medication, cleaning products) are clearly labeled and properly stored.  

11.    MEDICAL RECORDS:  Verify that medical records are stored properly in a designated area with restricted access.

Working Hours could be first shift, second shift, weekend shift or combination shifts.  The following are examples of work hours and they are subject to change based on operational needs:

    1)     Staff will work a 5/2 schedule, with either Friday/ Saturday or Sunday/Monday off. 

    2)     Whenever feasible, staff will not be expected to work late hours one day, and then work early hours on the following day.

    3)     First shift schedule may occur between 4:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and the second shift schedule may occur between 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and/or as adjustments need to be made.  

Please Note: These positions will be filled immediately as emergency appointments and the filling of these positions are based on the actual labor action commencement.       

• Selected candidate will be required to travel throughout the State of Connecticut nursing homes via provided transportation; Applicants must possess and maintain a valid/unrestricted Motor Vehicle Operator’s License; 
• Applicants need to be available to work first, second and/or weekend shifts 
• Anticipated duration of position: Depending on the actual labor action commencement and duration

The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

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

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 immediate vacancy is listed above, however applications to this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the job classification.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Department of Public Health in a public health service program or distinctive public health promotion/intervention component this class is accountable for the provision of community outreach efforts, assistance in the conduct of public health educational/promotional campaigns or research projects and/or implementation of intervention strategies and epidemiologic surveys.

Assists in collection of health data from patients, physicians and other sources of information; visits homes, hospitals, work sites for purposes of interviewing and inquiring into health related behavior including close and causal contacts of patients for future follow up; investigates potential infectious disease carriers for referral to appropriate health care facilities; assists local health departments with other infectious disease activities including counseling and education; assists in development of health informational and/or educational initiatives in specific program area (e.g. AIDS, Cancer Control, Hypertension, School Health and other community health programs); coordinates special internal and external health promotion events; assists in delivery and dissemination of vaccine and/or drug usage information and supplies; serves as liaison between specific health program areas and health care providers; may assist in maintenance of data bases of health program areas; may provide community groups and health care providers with information on new drugs and warnings on current drugs and vaccines; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of basic interviewing and investigative techniques; knowledge of medical terminology; knowledge of community and public health organizations; some knowledge of patient counseling and education techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to follow oral and written instructions.

High school graduation and two (2) years of experience involved in the delivery of human, health or social services.

1. An Associate Degree with courses in health education or the social sciences may be substituted for the General Experience.
2. Two years as a Health Services Worker Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience reviewing information and conducting inventory
• Experience with basic safety systems and protocols of the building
• Experience balancing multiple assigned duties
• Experience working in a team environment and following policies and procedures

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderately heavy loads.

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.