STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Infection Control Practitioner (37.5 Hour)

Recruitment #220106-4878XC-001

Introduction

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, Connecticut Valley Hospital (CRMHC) seeks an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Infection Control Practitioner PCN 24831 and is within our Ambulatory Care Unit. We are passionate about the work we do!  This position will serve both Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown and Blue Hills Hospital in Hartford, CT. This is a full-time, 37.5 hour 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 offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

Selection Plan

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. At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. 2

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The Preferred Candidate will have:

  • 2 or more years in Infection Prevention
  • Experience working directly with COVID-19 isolation protocols
  • Experience working directly with Antimicrobial Stewardship programs
  • Experience conducting infectious disease surveillance

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Conclusion

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.