INFECTION PREVENTION SPECIALIST

Job Title: Infection Prevention Specialist

Location: Salinas, CA
Schedule: Monday - Friday | Day Shift
Job Type: Contract
Work Setting: 100% Onsite

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Manager of Infection Prevention, the Infection Prevention Specialist is responsible for surveillance, analysis, reporting, and prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This role supports infection prevention initiatives, regulatory compliance, staff education, outbreak investigations, and quality improvement while ensuring adherence to CDC, CMS, OSHA, The Joint Commission (TJC), and other regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct surveillance, investigation, analysis, and reporting of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
• Monitor infection trends and apply epidemiological principles to identify risks and implement prevention strategies.
• Perform infection surveillance using CDC/NHSN criteria and review microbiology results, patient records, and isolation precautions.
• Participate in outbreak investigations and collaborate with Infectious Disease physicians and public health agencies.
• Report communicable diseases to county and state health departments.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain infection prevention data for NHSN, CDPH, CMS, and MedMined reporting.
• Conduct environmental rounds and monitor infection prevention practices throughout the facility.
• Participate in quality improvement and performance improvement initiatives.
• Develop and provide infection prevention education to clinical and non-clinical staff.
• Serve as a resource for infection prevention policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Assist with maintaining infection prevention policies and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with CDC, OSHA, CMS, FDA, and The Joint Commission standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Current California RN license preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of Infection Prevention, Infection Control, or Epidemiology experience , preferably in an acute care hospital.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Infection Prevention & Control
  • Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Employee Health
  • Sterilization, Disinfection & Sanitation
  • CDC & NHSN Guidelines
  • CMS, OSHA & The Joint Commission (TJC) Standards
  • National Patient Safety Goals
• Experience with regulatory compliance and quality improvement initiatives preferred.