Infection Preventionist

Full-Time | 1.0 FTE | Day Shift | Fully On-Site (5 days/week)

About the Role

At PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, you'll have a direct seat at the table where patient safety decisions are made, partnering with clinical teams to prevent infections, lead meaningful change, and influence outcomes that impact an entire community. This is more than infection surveillance—it's an opportunity to help shape the future of patient safety at one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected healthcare organizations while building strong partnerships with caregivers across the hospital.

Be a visible clinical leader. Work directly with nurses, providers, operational leaders, and frontline teams to improve patient outcomes. Have real influence—your expertise will guide infection prevention strategies, outbreak response, regulatory readiness, construction planning, and caregiver education. Practice autonomously with ownership of your work while collaborating with a highly engaged clinical and quality team. Expand your impact beyond bedside care to improve safety for patients, visitors, and caregivers across the organization. Join a mission-driven health system with a culture rooted in compassion, respect, and service.

Responsibilities

• Monitor infection trends and identify opportunities to improve patient safety.
• Round in clinical areas and partner directly with frontline teams.
• Investigate healthcare-associated infections and communicable disease cases.
• Analyze data and share meaningful findings with leaders and caregivers.
• Educate staff on infection prevention practices and emerging risks.
• Coach teams on hand hygiene, isolation practices, cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization processes.
• Respond to potential outbreaks and help contain the spread of infectious diseases.
• Develop practical action plans that reduce infection risk across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Review and update infection prevention policies and procedures.
• Support regulatory readiness and accreditation requirements.
• Collaborate with facilities and construction teams on renovation and building projects, including Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA).
• Assess the care environment and recommend improvements that enhance safety.
• Partner with public health agencies and internal stakeholders during infection-related events.
• Serve as a trusted subject matter expert and resource for caregivers throughout the organization.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities as part of the Infection Prevention team.
• Support Quality Program Lead functions as part of the role.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, Medical Technology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of experience in:
  • Infection Prevention,
  • Critical Care, or
  • A closely related healthcare specialty.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Infection prevention practices,
  • Epidemiology,
  • Microbiology,
  • Adult education principles.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate clinical data.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Strongly Preferred:
  • CIC (Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology),
  • Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA),
  • Leadership experience in healthcare settings,
  • Master's degree in Public Health, Nursing, Epidemiology, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline.
• Certification Requirement: CIC certification required within 24 months of hire if not already obtained, unless otherwise approved by Infection Prevention leadership and HR.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Generous paid time off to rest, recharge, and spend time with the people who matter most.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and matching opportunities.
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance, plus additional coverage options.
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education support.
• Professional development resources and certification support.
• Wellness programs and caregiver wellbeing resources.
• Expanded Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and mental health support.
• A mission-driven culture that invests in both personal and professional growth.

Pay

$48.52 - $72.78 per hour. The hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to education, training, work experience, terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, and seniority.

Life at PeaceHealth

At PeaceHealth, we believe exceptional patient care starts with taking care of each other. Our culture is grounded in respect, collaboration, inclusion, and a shared commitment to serving our communities. You'll join a team where:

• People genuinely support one another.
• Leaders value clinical expertise and frontline perspectives.
• Continuous learning is encouraged and supported.
• Diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints strengthens our organization.
• Compassion and excellence are expected to coexist.

We are committed to creating an environment where every caregiver feels welcomed, valued, heard, and empowered to thrive.

Location

Vancouver, Washington offers the best of Pacific Northwest living without sacrificing convenience:

• Live minutes from Portland's dining, arts, and entertainment scene.
• Spend weekends hiking, biking, paddleboarding, skiing, or exploring nearby mountains, rivers, and coastline.
• Access outstanding schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community.
• Experience a region known for its natural beauty, outdoor lifestyle, and commitment to wellness.