STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Infection Control Practitioner (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #230123-4878FP-001

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to Make an ImpaCT! 

THE ROLE
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), seeks a qualified individual for the position of Infection Control Practitioner. 

HIGHLIGHTS
  • LOCATION: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
  • UNIT: Outpatient Clinic
  • ADDRESS: 95 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT (*This position is primarily located in Waterbury, however, travel between Danbury and Torrington will be required.)
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 hours per week, first shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday 
  • Position Number: 75923
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
  • We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year. 
  • We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees. 
  • We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth. 
  • We have limitless areas for you to perform relevant and significant work.

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; and
  • Participate in the development of policies and procedures involving infection prevention/control.
      ABOUT US
      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. We promote and administer comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.  

      WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect. 

      Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness.  Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.  

      Selection Plan

      FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 
      Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

      This position may be subject to Federal requirements of COVID-19 Vaccination.

      For those who hold a RN license in a state other than Connecticut and wish to apply for a Connecticut license, please:
      1. Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;
      2. Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’;
      3. Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s : Nursys® System. To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select ‘SEARCH’. Review the results and select the ‘Next’ button. Check the box next to ‘Connecticut’ and complete the transaction. Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH. Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys. Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.
      TO APPLY
      • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
      • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
      • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
      • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
      • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
      AFTER YOU APPLY 
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • NOTE: 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.
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
      • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
      • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
      CONNECT WITH US 
      • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. 
      • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@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

      • Experience in Infection Prevention
      • Certification in Infection Prevention and Control
      • 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.





      E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 4:30pm M-FPowered by JobAps