Infection Control Nurse

Salary : $208,703.04 - $279,972.16 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
Job Number: 26-S04-A
Department: Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVHC)
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 12:00 AM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 04


Description


Under direction, to assist in the planning, development and evaluation of the infection control program and to conduct surveillance and reporting activities and education programs for all hospital personnel involved in patient care.

Final Filing Date: The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after issue date.

Proof of valid California Registered Nurse License is required. Only applicants who attach proof of their State of California license to their job application will be accepted. All applicants who do not attach verification will be rejected.
The Power of WE : Together, we can make a greater impact. Bringing better care and expanding healthcare services across the community.

Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) is the second largest public health care system in California and includes four acute care hospitals, 14 clinics and 60+ specialty and sub-specialty services. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and excellent service to everyone in Santa Clara County.


Because we serve patients throughout multiple hospitals and clinics, you may have to work at different sites. We will meet any obligations we may have when this occurs.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - SCVMC is a full-service tertiary acute care teaching hospital with 699 licensed beds providing a wide range of specialized services, including Rehabilitation, Burn, Trauma, and NICU. SCVMC was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #6 Rehabilitation Hospital in the nation and #1 in the West and designated as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care, Heart Failure, Stroke, Hip Fracture, and Pneumonia.

O'Connor Hospital - O'Connor Hospital (OCH) is a 358 licensed bed acute care facility offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and specialty programs to residents of Santa Clara County. It was founded in 1889 as one of the first hospitals in the county. OCH has grown significantly over the past five years in both its inpatient volume and its Emergency Department visits. Along with these volume increases other ancillary and clinical departments like imaging, lab, pharmacy, and respiratory have seen growth as well.

St. Louise Regional Hospital - Since 1989, St. Louise Regional Hospital (SLRH) has been caring for the residents in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient medical specialties. SLRH has 93 beds, is a Designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only acute care hospital in the area. Located in Gilroy, SLRH maintains a CALSTAR 2 emergency helicopter base on the premises.
Regional Medical Center - Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a 265-bed hospital that is the main emergency healthcare provider for East San José, treating a wide range of critical and life-threatening conditions for more than 60 years. Since the SCVH integration of RMC effective 4/1/25, RMC has expanded the critical services including Level II trauma, Thrombectomy capable Stroke Center and STEMI care, and has been seeing an increased number of emergency visits and inpatient volume.


Custody Health Services - Custody Health Services (CHS) provides medical, mental health, and dental services to patients in custody at the four County detention facilities: Main Jail, Elmwood, Juvenile Hall, and James Ranch. On-site routine and urgent/emergent medical services are provided at both Main Jail and Elmwood adult jail facilities in Santa Clara County. Health care of incarcerated patients includes care of acute and chronic illness as well as preventative and specialty care. CHS also operates a 40-bed acute psychiatric inpatient housing unit at the Main Jail facility for incarcerated adults who require acute inpatient services for stabilization. Juvenile Custody Health Services provides integrated medical services including comprehensive pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care to justice-involved youth housed in Juvenile Hall and James Ranch

Typical Tasks

• Collects data for analysis, interpretation and reporting of infections;
  
  
• Assists in identifying patterns and trends of infections;
  
  
• Investigates disease outbreaks and clusters, and employee exposure to communicable disease;
  
  
• Reports communicable diseases to the County Health Department;
  
  
• Prepares summaries of surveillance and exposure activities;
  
  
• Participates in follow-up or corrective action in relation to surveillance activities, as indicated by the Infection Control Supervisor, Hospital Epidemiologist and/or Infection Control Board;
  
  
• Presents infection control orientation for all nursing personnel;
  
  
• Assists in planning, presenting and evaluating yearly, and as needed, infection control programs for all hospital personnel involved in patient care practice;
  
  
• Presents informal educational information during ward rounds as part of surveillance and consultation responsibilities;
  
  
• Presents classes on specific infection control areas as indicated by assessment of hospital needs;
  
  
• Assists nursing and other hospital departments in development of current, accurate policies and procedures at least every two years or whenever necessary;
  
  
• Provides requested problem-solving assistance when infection control problems occur;
  
  
• Performs site visits on a regular basis to assist in the development of appropriate and cost effective infection control practices;
  
  
• Provides infection control consultation and representation on committees as appointed;
  
  
• Assists in the planning, development and evaluation of the infection control program;
  
  
• Functions, if appointed, as relief Infection Control Supervisor in his/her absence, in consultation with the Hospital Epidemiologist;
  
  
• Assists Infection Control Supervisor with departmental responsibilities as needed (e.g., surveys, consultations, disseminating infection control policies, etc.);
  
  
• Maintains professional development by attending and participating in professional organizations, e.g., Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (A.P.I.C.) and local Journal Club;
  
  
• Attends programs and conferences in infection control and other related subjects;
  
  
• Keeps abreast of current literature in the field of infection control;
  
  
• Seeks learning experience to maintain knowledge and skills necessary to function as an Infection Control Nurse.

Employment Standards


Graduate of an approved nursing program (preferably BSN), currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in California and sufficient education and experience which demonstrate possession of the qualifications necessary to successfully perform the typical tasks noted above.

Experience Note: A qualified applicant would typically have educational preparation at the Bachelor's level (BSN), at least three years of acute care experience, and specialized training and expertise or experience in infection control in a teaching institution. Certification in Infection Control (C.I.C.) is preferred.
The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Please include the name of employers, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week for questions asking about work experience.
Do you understand these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have an active California Registered Nurse License without restrictions?

• Yes
• No

03


If you have an active California RN license, please indicate license number and expiration date.
04


What is your highest level of Nursing Education?

• AA/ AS/ Diploma, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in a non-accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• BSN, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in a non-accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• AA/ AS/ Diploma, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in an accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• MEPN with RN license pursuing MS
• BSN, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in an accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• MSN
• PhD

05


Please list the name of your degree/s, the level, and where it was obtained. If you do not have any type n/a.
06


How many years of nursing experience do you have working in an acute care/ambulatory care setting?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

07


Please describe your nursing experience working in an acute care/ambulatory care setting. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
08


How many years of experience do you have working with infection control in an acute care/ambulatory care setting?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

09


Please describe your experience working with infection control in an acute care/ambulatory care setting. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
10


Do you possess an Infection Control Certification (C.I.C)? If yes, please attach a copy of the certification.

• Yes
• No

11


Please list your Certification in Infection Control (C.I.C.) number and the expiration date. If no certitifcation, type n/a.
12


Please indicate if you have experience in any of the following areas with the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria: (Check all that apply)

• Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)
• Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
• Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
• None

13


Please describe your experience with NHSN using the CDC criteria in the areas you selected. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
14


Do you experience working in EPIC BUGSY Infection Control module?

• Yes
• No

15


Describe your experience using EPIC BUGSY module. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
16


Do you have experience using Epic-based electronic health records system, CJIC or an equivalent criminal justice database?

• Yes
• No

17


Describe your experience using Epic-based electronic health records system, CJIC or an equivalent criminal justice database. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
18


Please describe your experience working with Infection Prevention standards and their importance for regulatory compliance. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
19


Please describe any experience you have in procedural or the sterile processing department. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
20


Please describe your experience in any leadership roles. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
21


Describe your experience in improving quality processes to positively impact an infection prevention metric. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
22


Do you have experience working as an infection control nurse in a Custody setting?

• Yes
• No

23


Describe your experience working as an infection control nurse in Custody settings. Responses must include the following required information: Your job title(s), employer name(s), start/end date(s), hours worked per week and a detailed description of tasks performed. If no such experience, type n/a.
24


Candidates selected for positions located within a correctional facility must successfully pass a background check for security clearance throughout the term of employment.
Do you understand and agree to this requirement?

• Yes
• No

25


How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

26


If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question