Infection Preventionist

Santiam Hospital & Clinics•Stayton, OR

7d•$54 - $77

About The Position

At Santiam Hospital & Clinics, we believe exceptional patient care starts with a supportive and inclusive work environment. We empower every team member by providing access to advanced medical technology and continuous professional development. Join our collaborative culture, where your contributions are valued and your growth is encouraged. Santiam Hospital & Clinics is currently seeking an Infection Preventionist who will lead our organization with safeguarding patient, staff, and community health by leading hospital-wide infection prevention and control initiatives. This position ensures full compliance with CDC NHSN reporting requirements and Joint Commission standards while driving the development implementation, and continuous improvement of evidence-based infection control practices. You will serve as a clinical expert and key liaison across departments and committees, and oversee HAI surveillance, policy development, staff education, and emergency preparedness. In your role, you will demonstrate leadership by fostering collaborative relationships with public health agencies and championing a culture of safety, regulatory excellence, and proactive risk reduction throughout the organization. Take the next step in your healthcare career, apply today and bring your expertise to Santiam Hospital & Clinics, recently honored as 2025’s Best Hospital in the Willamette Valley!

Requirements

Knowledge of principles that relate to the position, including general epidemiologic theory, infectious disease concepts, and rules of disinfection, sanitization, and sterilization management.
Three years of experience within an acute healthcare setting.
Aptitude in verbal and written communication, including ability to communicate with persons in all age groups.
Possession of a degree from an accredited nursing school.
Possession of current Oregon licensure.
Possession of current applicable certification and registration.
Within two years after hire, possession of a current Certified in Infection Control (“CIC®”) credential issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Incorporated.
Possession of United States proof of citizenship or right to work in the United States.
Possession of a driver license or analogous identification.
Willingness to participate in Hospital orientation and educational in-service.

Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance In manner that complies with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network requirements, complete and submit for Hospital properties Network reports, including reports about antimicrobial use (AU) and antimicrobial resistance (AR), healthcare-associated infection (HAI), surgical site infection, viral respiratory data stratified by infectious agent and age (“hospital respiratory data”), or data related to laboratory identification of methicillin-resistant Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.
Ensure that properties consistently and continuously comply with applicable Joint Commission standards related to antimicrobial stewardship or infection control.
Infection Prevention and Control Program Administration Use comprehensive knowledge about infection prevention (IP) within healthcare settings to serve as resource person for matters related to infection control (IC) and to foster, support, and maintain Hospital cultural emphasis on quality and safety.
Assist with development, implementation, analysis, and applicable revision of IC practices specific to every Hospital care area.
Regularly develop, review, present (i.e. to applicable Hospital Committees), revise, and assist with implementation of Hospital policy, procedure, or protocol related to communicable disease or infection control.
Develop and implement system for HAI identification, investigation, report, and prevention that applies for all Hospital staff, Medical Staff, Hospital patients, and Hospital visitors.
Use applicable product manufacturer instructions to derive Hospital standards for proper use of Hospital antiseptics, cleaning products, disinfectants, or germicides, and for Hospital procedure related to asepsis, disinfection, or sterilization.
Coordinate with IC Committee membership to measure and evaluate IC Program efficacy and personally design and implement means to improve such efficacy.
Regularly attend Hospital IC Committee meetings, and for such meetings coordinate agenda, serve as lead presenter, and report pertinent prepared data.
Provide reports about applicable IC Committee activity to Hospital Performance Improvement Committee.
Regularly attend and serve as IP liaison at meetings of Hospital General Medical Staff, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, or Surgical and Anesthetic Services Committees.
Courteously and effectively liaise with Hospital staff, Medical Staff, and applicable public health authorities to discuss matters related to infection control.
Coordinate with applicable vendors to evaluate new products with IP implications (e.g. antimicrobials, cleaning materials, or vaccines), and present suitable products to appropriate Committees.
Surveil, analyze, and report Hospital staff and Medical Staff adherence to IP protocols, and facilitate applicable Committee use of such report to identify and act on improvement opportunities.
Staff Education Assist with Hospital staff or Medical Staff education related to infection prevention.
On at least quarterly basis, prepare and provide to Medical Staff, in newsletter or in-service format, education about antimicrobial use or infection prevention.
Professional Development Maintain educational requirements for all required licensure and certification.
Participate in meetings and continuing education programs to enhance knowledge about IP.
Participate in groups or organizations to maintain current knowledge about innovations and requirements in IP.
Disaster Management Assess and evaluate potential internal or external disaster related to infectious disease and know when to activate Hospital disaster plan (i.e. “All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan”).
Assume leadership role during disaster, patient emergency, and trauma activation, and serve under such circumstances in capacities designated by Incident Commander.
Assess and evaluate circumstances, in which risk for infection or contamination may be present, and recommend under such circumstances safety and protection measures for Hospital staff, patients, and visitors.
Other Policy and Procedure Comply with and assess Department staff compliance with Hospital policy and procedure.
Educate staff about Hospital policy and procedure.
Community Relations Continually evaluate needs of Hospital, Hospital staff, patients, and visitors, and ensure such needs are being met.
Serve as Hospital representative in interaction with community and other external entities.