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Infection Prevention Nurse - II
- State of Colorado (Pueblo, CO)
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Infection Prevention Nurse - II
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Infection Prevention Nurse - II
Salary
$7,814.00 - $10,940.00 Monthly
Location
Pueblo, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IIB 05236 05/20/2025
Department
Colorado Department of Human Services
Opening Date
05/20/2025
Closing Date
6/4/2025 12:00 AM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
CMHHIP: 1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Salary Note
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
+ Description
+ Benefits
+ Questions
Department Information
This position is open ONLY tocurrentColorado State Residents
Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details! (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits)
CMHHIP Quality Management Department
The Quality Management Department exists to guide and support CMHHIP’s efforts to meet or exceed customer expectations by maintaining excellence in patient safety and care, and to identify opportunities for improvement through data collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data-based information that enables hospital leadership to utilize resources in an effective and efficient manner and to operate efficiently under legislative and regulatory mandates and clinical and administrative policies and guidelines. The Infection Control and Prevention Program promotes and protects the health of patients and employees at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP). The program coordinates the hospital wide Infection Control and Prevention Program following local, state, and national standards and practices. Collaborates and advises departments to ensure they are aware of infection control and prevention measures and have implemented a system to monitor.
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CDHSCareers
Description of Job
The purpose of this position is to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases within CMHHIP, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. This role involves implementing, and monitoring infection prevention policies and procedures, educating CMHHIP unit staff on best practices, conducting surveillance to identify and manage outbreaks, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. By fostering a culture of safety and vigilance, this position plays a critical role in promoting optimal patient care and maintaining a healthy healthcare environment. This position role in auditing, rounding, monitoring and educating staff requires presence on the patient units most days each week.
Job Duties:
Education and Training of Staff; Presence on Units-
This position is responsible to provide unit staff with information and training, both routine and just-in-time, for topics related to infection control and related EOC rounds, audit findings, and other IC related issues. Will be present on the units on most days, dividing time between units as needed to meet infection control needs. Responsibility to this duty include:
+ Assists in yearly infection control training for CMHHIP staff.
+ Provides routine Infection Control training to CMHHIP staff using curriculum developed by the DICP.
+ Uses judgment and knowledge of IC protocols and standards to conduct just-in-time training as pertinent topics of infection control emerge.
+ Meets with any unit, or individual staff who needs to be provided with individual guidance, direction, instruction, and mentoring.
+ Uses effective communication skills to impart information to staff.
+ Monitors unit staff’s skills, competencies, and actions as part of just-in-time training.
+ Ensure treatment, education, ongoing needs, continuity-of-care, and all other training are documented and tracked according to hospital policy.
+ Keeps the DICP and the SRM apprised of identified patient health related issues and CMHHIP unit needs.
+ Learns and maintains necessary infection control and prevention skills through research of standards, CMHHIP policy, and other sources of information regarding CMHHIP specific procedures.
+ Listens effectively to other’s ideas, problems, and suggestions. Adapts communication methods to respond to different audiences.
+ Works in an open manner and shares information with others.
+ Responds in a prompt, friendly manner to requests and inquires.
+ Is appropriate in all communications with all staff regardless of race, age, gender, culture, ability, religion or sexual orientation.
+ Seeks approval for increased training if unsure of how to perform in any area.
+ Serves as a role model and a resource to all disciplines on campus regarding infections, outbreaks, and day to day infection control.
+ Provides direction and assistance to staff regarding donning and doffing personal protective equipment.
+ Understands and reinforces education regarding how to prevent the spread of infection through utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
+ Discusses CDC guidelines on hand hygiene and enforces proper donning and doffing of PPE.
+ Reinforces education regarding standard precautions, transmission based precautions, and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
+ Assists with Competency Fairs related to IC.
+ Yearly, assists in ensuring staff were trained regarding how to wash their hands, wear personal protective equipment, the safe management of equipment, environment, blood and body fluids, and linen.
+ Assists in standardizing equipment, forms, practices, and communicating new information campus-wide.
+ Reinforces education regarding standard precautions, transmission based precautions, and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
+ Educate employees to reduce potential for exposure to communicable diseases.
+ On occasion, may conduct other training, e.g., NEO, in the absence of the DICP.
+ Follows CMHHIP and CDHS policies and procedures.
+ Maintains confidentiality (PHI/HIPAA)
+ Reports abuse allegations immediately by submitting an incident report through the RLDatix system, and notifies the DQM.
+ Manages time to assure effective and efficient work product.
+ Maintains RN license.
+ Maintains patient boundaries.
+ Understands the RN scope of practice and operates within the scope of practice in the performance of this duty.
+ Ensures mandatory training is up to date.
+ May, on occasion and with DQM approval, attend additional training to further enhance job knowledge
Quality Assurance Measures, Risk Reduction and Prevention, EOC Rounds:
Quality Assurance:
+ Assists the DICP to establish patterns in Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) using established guidelines and processes.
+ Performs Infection control surveillance (patient/non-patient areas) as assigned, using established guidelines and processes.
+ Participates in Environment of Care (EOC) rounds and provides follow-up data, information and education related to EOC rounds results, and during infection control NEO training.
+ Reports communicable diseases if found during audits, rounding or other means.
+ Is a subject matter expert in cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and asepsis and acts as a resource to staff..
+ Maintains a sufficient level of understanding of CMHHIP policies and procedures related to Infection Control.
+ Participates in Lean rapid improvement events to improve processes and respond to needs.
+ Offers feedback to the DICP and Director of Quality Management (DQM) in identifying quality assurance measures and reporting on quality indicators, e.g., the annual CMHHIP QAPI Plan, and National Health Safety Network (NHSN).
+ Utilizes knowledge, expertise and experience to identify specific factors associated with infectious cases and provides feedback to the DICP so they can perform risk assessments, or investigate outbreaks,
+ Implements strategies determined by the DICP to reduce risks or prevent healthcare associated infections.
+ Coordinates processes with the Unit Nurse Managers, Infection Control Nurses, Program Support Professionals, Director of Nursing (DON), Assistant Directors of Nursing (ADON) as needed.
+ Responsible for assessing units/departments and completing infection control rounds and providing follow-up.
Risk Reduction and Prevention:
+ Identifies specific factors associated with infectious cases, reports findings to the DICP for their investigation, and after a strategy is developed by the DICP, implements the strategy to reduce risks or prevent healthcare associated infections.
+ Performs process surveillance to identify whether practices comply with established prevention and control procedures, policies, and best practices.
+ Assists in processes related to perpetual readiness for surveys.
+ Monitors infection control issues on units/departments offering recommendation regarding the issue(s).
+ Maintains knowledge of proper hand hygiene, use of PPE, the IC rounding criteria, blood and body fluids exposure measures, and linen handling related to contamination.
+ Monitors for compliance, and implements Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions.
Data Entry/ Collection:
+ Data collection, input, and review of data relating to infection control surveillance (departmental reports, patient immunization, and vaccinations).
+ Enters data for unit logs, EOC rounds, and other databases maintained by the Infection Control and Prevention Program.
+ Collects, and enters data in databases maintained by the Infection Control and Prevention Program.
+ Summarizes findings, tracks progression, and identifies potential risk.
+ Communicates data for feedback and accountability.
+ Immediately relays necessary information (findings reported to outside agencies, abnormal findings, problematic trends, potential risks) to the DICP, and Safety and Risk Manager as appropriate.
+ Performs random audits for hand hygiene, and other quality related checks such as refrigerator, medication, microwave logs, etc.
+ Performs review of EHR for Healthcare associated infections and utilizes judgment and knowledge base to identify issues.
+ Assists in collection and input of data relating to infection control surveillance.
+ Serves as a resource for CMHHIP related to data collected on behalf of the Infection Program.
+ Enters data for hand hygiene monitoring, unit logs, Environment of Care rounds, antibiotic reports, patient immunizations, and other databases maintained by the Infection Control and Prevention Program.
+ Reports observations of Infection Control Interventions that do not meet standards.
+ Maintains working knowledge of regulatory agencies rules, regulations, and standards.
+ Assist in completing an accurate patient database within the Behavioral Electronic Health Record (BEHR) for patient infection control issues, and whether it was hospital acquired or not and patient vaccines.
+ Responsible for performing Environment of Care rounds as scheduled.
+ Collects and enters audit results into audit databases for EOC rounds.
+ Provides audit data to DICP and SRM for presentation to appropriate discipline to request a plan of action to correct issues.
+ Provides infection control information to staff during Environment of Care rounds and during infection control updates and training.
+ Assists in performing risk assessments
+ Ensures the data collected by this position is in perpetual readiness for regulatory surveys.
+ Seeks guidance for standards or policies when interpretation is required.
+ Notifies DICP as needed when review/revision of audit documents may be required.
+ Assists in monitoring information regarding patients with infections.
+ Offers feedback to the DICP for revision of policy and procedures related to infection control issues.
+ Communicates data findings for feedback and accountability.
Other Duties as Assigned:
Responsibility to perform assigned tasks and duties within the scope of practice for this position that do not fall within the realm of duty statements A-C.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications:
Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) and Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position. Acceptable forms of experience; Background in Infection Control and Prevention, Epidemiology or Microbiology in a hospital or Public Health setting.
Substitutions
Appropriate education will substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis: Appropriate education includes; Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse (NP) and Bachelors or Masters degree in Public Health or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
+ Demonstrating computer proficiency
+ Well developed interpersonal skills; ability to remain professional in stressful situations
+ Attention to detail
+ Well developed and demonstrated writing skills
+ Research, teaching skills, experience in conducting surveillance, identifying infectious threats and developing response strategies.
+ Certified Infection Control (CIC) credential
Conditions of Employment:
+ A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges. Additionally, you will be required take and pass a drug screen.
+ Current/Valid and Unrestricted Drivers License
+ 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening.
+ This position will be paid biweekly.
+ Influenza vaccination.
+ Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)
Need help with your application? Click here.
The Assessment Process (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#assessment-process)
For additional recruiting questions, please [email protected] ([email protected]) .us
About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs) (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
+ Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
+ Medical and dental health plans
+ Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
+ Paid life insurance
+ Short- and long-term disability coverage
+ 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
+ BenefitHub state employee discount program
+ Employee Wellness program (https://coloradostateofhealth.com/)
+ Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
+ Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .
Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at [email protected] or call 1-800-929-0791.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~ (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#eoe)
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.
+ This information is available to me and I have read this information.
+ I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)
02
Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting your application.
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03
If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997...). Failure to provide this requested information may render your application incomplete, and you may no longer be considered for the position.
04
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position.
05
Describe in detail the infection prevention work you have done.
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Discuss how you stay informed in infection prevention practices and how you've contributed to protocol development or training.
07
Describe what methods you use to monitor and track infection rates in a facility?
08
Discuss your process to collaborate with other departments and healthcare professionals to ensure effective infection prevention.
Required Question
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