Nurse Consultant - HAI/AR Prevention & Response Infection Preventionist

Nurse Consultant - HAI/AR Prevention & Response Infection Preventionist

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/newprint/5237999)

Apply

?

Nurse Consultant - HAI/AR Prevention & Response Infection Preventionist

Salary

$100,428.00 - $110,470.80 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

FAA00908-2/24/2026

Department

Department of Public Health & Environment

Division

Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response

Opening Date

02/24/2026

Closing Date

3/10/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

4300 Cherry Creek Dr. S. Denver Co 80248

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Rosalie Esparza at rosalie.esparza@state.co.us

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

Disease Control & Public Health Response - HAI/AR Program, Communicable Disease Branch

You must be a resident of the State of Colorado to be eligible to apply

This is a term-limited position and funding cannot be guaranteed beyond July 31, 2027.

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.

Be BOLD.... Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities in advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

In addition to free parking, access to RTD bus lines, Cherry Creek bike path and flexible working arrangements, click the link below to review additional benefits and perks!!!!Careers (https://cdphe.colorado.gov/careers)

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) (https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/cdpheintranet/culture-strategy-equity-and-innovation/human-resources/current-employees/pslf-public-service-loan-forgiveness)

Description of Job

The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) is the department's lead surveillance, planning and response arm for public events including communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other public health and mass casualty events and disasters. The division includes the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response; State Public Health Laboratory; Health Equity Branch, Communicable Disease Branch; Immunization Branch; Public Health Informatics, Reporting, Technology Branch; Refugee Branch; and Operations Branch. The Division exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events and disasters that impact the public's health.

The Unit: The Communicable Disease Branch monitors, investigates, and controls epidemic and communicable diseases affecting the public health in Colorado, as required under Colorado statute, including enteric diseases, invasive bacterial diseases, respiratory disease, vaccine preventable disease, zoonotic diseases, foodborne and waterborne disease, and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program exists to prevent healthcare-associated infections and prevent the spread of emerging antimicrobial resistance threats in all healthcare settings in Colorado through surveillance, containment and response, infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.

About the Position: This position exists to provide infection prevention guidance and perform infection control assessments of targeted facilities; provide expertise to mitigate gaps detected during infection control assessments; and provide expertise during HAI outbreaks and on other infection prevention projects. 3 Revised 3/11/2025 This position possesses a specialized and unique level of knowledge and expertise in the infection prevention field and supports the overall goal and mission of the CDPHE Communicable Disease Branch to prevent and respond to communicable disease cases, clusters, and outbreaks. It includes a thorough understanding of healthcare infection prevention guidelines and practices, often including board certification in infection control and related specialties in addition to training and experience in healthcare epidemiology and public health.

Position is held by a nurse with a specialized and unique level of knowledge and expertise which is that of a professional infection preventionist in a hospital, nursing home, and outpatient clinical settings, including knowledge of preventable surgical site and device associated infections, standard and transmission-based precautions and disinfection of the healthcare environment, the ability to audit infection prevention practices and provide feedback to clinical providers, and the ability to train less experienced infection preventionists in clinical settings on the latest infection prevention practices.

Position provides essential consultation to healthcare facilities, healthcare providers, and local public health agencies around HAI/ AR response activities, and relays key information and professional opinions and assessments back to HAI/ AR leadership to guide the direction of the public health response activities.

What you will be doing:

• Provides infection prevention (IP) expertise and performs infection prevention and

control assessments (IPC) of targeted facilities, assessing staff practices to identify

gaps for mitigation.

• Provides feedback to facilities verbally and in writing, summarizing the gaps

identified during an assessment and the corresponding evidence-based

recommendations (CDC, APIC, etc.) needed for mitigation.

• Assessing which practices may have led to transmission, or an outbreak in the facility,

in order to guide targeted mitigation efforts to break the chain of infection.

• Assessing healthcare personnel performing their roles to ensure compliance with best

practices.

• Assessing healthcare facility compliance with standard precautions and transmission

based precautions, including that performed during direct patient care.

• Performs the majority of assessments for the HAI/AR program.
• Performs phone consultations and on-site assessments to review each facility's

infection prevention practices and policies in targeted areas.

• Maintains a matrix that is used to guide prioritization of identified facilities for IPC

assessments

• Conducts outreach to facilities that have been selected for participation in

assessments

• Works with influential facilities (Long-term acute care hospitals) to conduct annual

proactive assessments

• Provides nursing/infection prevention expertise during healthcare-associated infection

(HAI) outbreak and exposure event (drug diversions, injection safety, etc.)

investigations.

• Consultation with other CDPHE outbreak team members, facility consultation, or

participation in outbreak investigation site visits.

• Determine if possible adverse events might have occurred.
• Raise awareness and educates external partners on HAI/AR prevention and response

activities.

• Provides statewide onsite assistance for HAI/AR prevention and response activities,

including infection control assessments using CDC created tools and other resources.

These efforts are statewide, and may include outlying communities with fewer

resources, in collaboration with the Field Infection Preventionist.

• Makes infection prevention-related decisions and takes action with healthcare

facilities and partners to implement mitigation actions during HAI/ AR investigations.

• Responsible for developing and guiding implementation of infection

prevention strategies and guidelines around detecting and responding to HAI/ AR

pathogens and used by internal and external partners

• Collaborates with other infection prevention team members at CDPHE to provide

infection prevention expertise and perform proactive infection prevention assessments

and provide setting-specific expertise to mitigate gaps detected during infection

control assessments.

• Provides expertise during HAI outbreaks and on other infection prevention projects.
• Performs other infection prevention projects as directed by the Prevention and

Response Unit Manager.

• Projects might include education for internal and external partners, surveys of health

care facilities used to direct infection prevention assessments, developing the process

to create a health care inventory list, and exploring options with outside partners to

expand oversight of infection control capacity through licensing, credentialing, and

regulations.

• On assigned days, this position participates in the routine epi-call schedule by

answering e-mail questions and telephone calls from healthcare providers, patients,

and the public on a variety of communicable disease issues. Issues include diagnosis,

case management, prophylaxis, prevention and control strategies. This position brings

complex calls to the attention of subject matter experts and senior staff for review and

consultation.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

Experience Only:

Nine (9) years of infection prevention and control assessments performed in healthcare settings for outbreaks prevention and response efforts or in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position and a current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)

Education and Experience:

Master's degree from an accredited institution in nursing, public health or in a field of study related to the work assignment and/or years of professional experience in infection prevention and control assessments performed in healthcare settings for outbreaks prevention and response efforts or in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position and current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)

*This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

NOTE: Click on the link here toHOW TO APPLY (https://careers.colorado.gov/how-to-apply) and submit a complete application. That documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position when listing your work history.

*** YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS TO YOUR APPLICATION IF YOU ARE USING EDUCATION TO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS***

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must be willing to:

• A pre-employment background check
• Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)
• Travel to conduct site visits to conduct infection control assessments and oversee projects
• Be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.
• Be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public Health nursing background
• Experience in performing infection control assessments in a healthcare setting
• Experience assessing compliance with standard and transmission based

precautions, including those performed during patient care activities

• Experience in performing infection outbreak investigations in a healthcare setting
• Experience with implementing evidence-based recommendations in a healthcare setting
• Understanding of regulatory requirements for healthcare settings in relation to IPC
• Understanding of healthcare-associated infections and how they are spread in healthcare

settings

• Infection Control certification (CIC, IPCO, similar)
• Public Health nursing background
• Experience performing infection outbreak investigations
• Experience designing and facilitating in-person and distance trainings for medical

professionals and local public health agencies

• Experience working with public health facility's
• Experience to utilize/learn computerized information systems, training platforms, and

multimedia.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department's action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can 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/board-rules .

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

• A complete application that documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications when listing your work history.
• A copy of your transcripts if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications. (unofficial copy acceptable)
• If you are a veteran, attach a copy of your DD214 to your application

The Selection Process:

• Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
• A top group, up to six (6) candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify (http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify) , including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations :

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 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 ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

CDPHE IS A TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS

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

As a condition of employment, you are required to submit to pre-employment screening if offered the position. Are you willing to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

This position requires educational transcripts be submitted if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, did you attach a copy of your unofficial (or official) transcript?

• Yes
• No

03

If you are a veteran, did you attach a copy of your DD214 to your application?

• Yes
• No

04

This is a term-limited position and employment cannot be guaranteed beyond July 31, 2026. Do you accept this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

05

Did you attach a copy of your nursing license?

• Yes
• No

06

Please describe your experience with investigating outbreaks associated with healthcare settings

07

Please describe your experience performing infection control assessments in healthcare settings, including the care areas assessed.

08

Please describe your experience with providing feedback (verbally and in writing) to healthcare personnel regarding their compliance with infection control / best practices and which evidence-based recommendations were most helpful.

09

Please describe your experience implementing infection control strategies.

10

Please describe your experience designing and facilitating in-person and distance trainings for medical professionals and local public health agencies.

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

Apply

Please verify your email addressVerify Email