Infection Control Specialist

One Community Health•Sacramento, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

In partnership with nursing leadership, this role provides leadership for the infection prevention and control program across both medical and dental services and is responsible for ensuring a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. The Infection Control Specialist develops, implements, and evaluates infection prevention and control activities in collaboration with stakeholders, supports regulatory compliance, provides staff education, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to promote best practices in infection prevention and control. This role is on-site primarily at our Midtown location in Sacramento, CA (95811). Weekly travel between Midtown (95811), Arden (95825) and Carmichael (95608) is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology, or a related field.
At least 3-5 years of experience in an infection prevention and control role, preferably within a healthcare setting.
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or equivalent is required.
Must have documented completion of a Dental Board of California (DBC) approved 8-hour infection control course.
Valid CPR/BLS certification
Comprehensive understanding of infection prevention principles, epidemiology, and relevant regulatory requirements in California, including Cal/OSHA 5193 (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard) as it applies to high-sharps environments.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in data management and reporting.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Valid CA Driver License

Nice To Haves

Ability to collaborate effectively across a broad spectrum of backgrounds and perspectives.
Candidates who demonstrate inclusive thinking and interpersonal awareness help strengthen our commitment to equitable and compassionate care for all.
Demonstrated person-centered approach and familiarity with trauma informed systems and restorative practices

Responsibilities

Develop and implement infection prevention and control policies and procedures for all medical and dental departments, aligning with federal, state, and local regulations, including the Dental Board of California (CCR Title 16 § 1005) (e.g., CDC, CDPH, OSHA).
Conduct routine surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and monitor infection trends, using data to identify areas for improvement.
Oversee the implementation of SB 1453 requirements, specifically ensuring dental unit waterlines (DUWL) are purged daily and undergo quarterly bacterial testing to maintain levels ≤ 500 CFU/mL.
Manage and audit weekly biological monitoring (spore testing) for all dental heat sterilizers and maintain these records for a minimum of three years.
Provide training and education to all staff on proper infection control practices, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilization, and disinfection.
Perform regular audits of clinical areas to ensure compliance with infection control standards, including the mandatory posting of written protocols for instrument processing and injury management in dental and medical areas.
Provide training on PPE, sterilization, and hand hygiene.
Ensure all unlicensed dental assistants have completed the mandatory 8-hour Board-approved infection control course
Manage and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, including contact tracing and implementing control measures.
Collaborate with the infection control & employee health nurse closely, along with clinical leadership, quality assurance teams, and other departments to promote a culture of safety.
Maintain accurate records of infection control activities, training, and surveillance data.
Stay current with the latest research and guidelines in infection prevention and control.
Serve as back up for the employee health & infection control nurse on items related to infection control