Infection Control Nurse - Hospital Nurse III

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Opening Date: October 6, 2026 

Closing Date: October 21, 2026

Job Class Code:  4135
Grade:  22
Salary:  $38.59 - $48.74/hr. (Salary is inclusive of stipends)

Shift: Monday - Friday 6:45a - 3:15p

The starting salary is based on education and experience.  Starting salary for promotional candidates will follow contractual requirements. 

• Additional shift differential $3.00/hour while working 2nd shift hours
• Additional shift differential $4.50/hour while working 3rd shift hours
• Additional weekend differential $2.10/hour while working weekend hours 

In addition, the selected candidate may qualify for a $200/month nursing student loan reimbursement.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Job Duties:

This position has a functioning coordinated process in place to reduce, prevent and control the risk of infections in patients, healthcare workers, volunteers, and visitors and to optimize the use of resources through a strong preventative program and continuous review and evaluation of infection control practices. 

PRINCIPLE DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position requires a highly motivated individual who is flexible and can adapt quickly in a demanding work situation. He or she must demonstrate a high level of critical thinking skills that allows for processing a large amount of information presented, discerning the overall scope of a situation, and making sound decisions based on the information, experience, and knowledge of systems and their scope of practice.

Infection Control:

·    Monitors healthcare-associated infections.

·    Assesses infection control problems and makes recommendations for corrective action.

·    Prepares the agenda for and co-chairs the infection control committee.

·    Oversee monitoring of infection control practices and employee compliance for all departments

     and personnel.

·    Initiates and revises infection control policies and procedures using CDC guidelines, The Joint

     Commission, OSHA, and other regulating body standards.

·    Reports communicable diseases to the state as required by law.

·    Provides educational offerings for orientation and ongoing in-services.

·    Consults with department heads and physicians as needed to improve care. 

·    Initiates follow-up on employee/patient exposure to communicable diseases.

·    Serves as a resource for all departments and personnel.

·    Participates in performance improvement activities as applicable.

·    Participates in short- and long-term planning for the infection control department.

Employee Health:

·      Pre-employment screening for the following immunizations and/or proof of immunity: MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Seasonal Flu immunization.

·      Maintaining and updating Employee Health Records.

·      Administering Hepatitis B vaccine series as needed.

·      Establish and facilitate an on-site annual influenza vaccine clinic for all DDPC staff and independent practitioners and administer the seasonal influenza vaccines as needed.

·      Administering Tuberculin Skin Test (using PPD) to all new hires (including volunteers) following DDPC TST protocol and annually as requested for any DDPC staff.

·      Submit Annual Reports as needed.

Other Duties:

As the HN III IC/Employee Health Nurse you may be assigned to provide coverage as needed:

• In the Medical Clinic assisting providers.
• On the units
• In the Nurse Supervisors office. 
• May be required to do mandatory overtime.
• Other duties as assigned.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or related field and two (2) years of professional nursing experience -OR- graduation from an accredited school of nursing and three (3) years of professional nursing experience. Experience must include one (1) year overseeing and providing medical and/or psychiatric nursing care in a hospital facility.

Experience must include one (1) year overseeing and providing medical and/or psychiatric nursing care in a hospital facility.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).

 A license as a Registered Nurse as issued by the Maine State Board of Nursing.

Agency information:

Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness.   As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

For additional information about this position please contact Jennifer Iverson at 207-561-5425 or email [email protected].

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. To request a paper application, please contact Theresa Peppard at [email protected].

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $14,369.04 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing parents and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.