Infection Preventionist - Infection Control

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center • Houston, TX

3d

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center leads infection prevention and control activities across inpatient, ambulatory, and Houston Area Locations. The role protects patients, visitors, and employees; supports patient safety initiatives; and helps ensure compliance with regulatory and evidence-based infection prevention standards. The Infection Preventionist serves as a subject matter expert and liaison between hospital-based and ambulatory care settings, collaborating with clinical and operational leaders to identify, monitor, prevent, and control healthcare-associated infections.

The position develops surveillance strategies, analyzes and reports infection data, supports regulatory and accreditation readiness, and provides staff education across the organization. It also contributes to performance improvement initiatives and promotes practices intended to improve patient outcomes and conserve healthcare resources. The role requires a collaborative professional with analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, accountability, and a patient-safety focus.

A bachelor's degree in a health-related field and three years of patient care experience are required. A master's degree in Public Health, Biostatistics, Nursing, or Epidemiology is preferred. Required credentials include a Texas RN license or one of the specified ASCP Board of Certification credentials, and Certified in Infection Control (CIC) certification. Compensation is listed as $37.26 per hour minimum, $46.63 midpoint, and $56.01 maximum.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a health-related field.
• Three years of patient care experience.
• Required credential: Texas State Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN), or an applicable ASCP Board of Certification credential listed in the posting: Medical Technologist (MT), Certified Microbiologist (NRCM), or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS).
• Certified in Infection Control (CIC) certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control, required upon hire.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with accountability and a patient-safety focus.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Public Health, Biostatistics, Nursing, or Epidemiology.
• Experience in academic medical centers, hospitals, infection prevention departments, or public health organizations.
• Performance improvement experience.
• Ability to independently develop and present educational programs.
• Ability to present research findings at professional conferences.
• Acute care infection prevention experience, experience with surveillance programs and infection data analysis, regulatory compliance and accreditation readiness experience, and proficiency with NHSN and electronic medical records.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct surveillance programs to identify nosocomial infections, communicable diseases, and infection clusters.
• Review patient charts and reports to detect healthcare-associated infections and trends, and perform patient assessments to evaluate care practices and infectious risk.
• Recognize unusual infections and infection patterns that exceed endemic conditions, and remain aware of environmental conditions that may affect immunocompromised patients.
• Collect, analyze, trend, and report infection prevention data; design and conduct special studies related to infection prevention and control.
• Recommend infection prevention interventions and control measures, and report communicable diseases to regulatory agencies as required by law.
• Inspect patient care areas and monitor clinical settings for compliance with CDC guidelines, regulatory requirements, and infection prevention standards.
• Identify infection prevention risks, recommend corrective actions, and support accreditation readiness and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison among patient care departments, the Infection Control Officer, Director of Infection Control, the Infection Control Committee, and other organizational committees.
• Collaborate with Employee Health Services on communicable disease exposures and outbreak investigations.
• Partner with clinicians and administrators to improve patient and system-level outcomes, and coordinate infection prevention across hospital-based, ambulatory, and Houston Area Locations.
• Develop and deliver orientation and continuing education on infection prevention and control, policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Present research findings at professional conferences through oral presentations and poster sessions.
• Ensure the development, implementation, and adherence to departmental and institutional policies; assist with infection control policies, procedures, protocols, and hand hygiene practices.
• Lead and support performance improvement initiatives focused on reducing infections and adverse events.
• Implement procedures for investigating, identifying, and following up on communicable disease exposures.
• Use professional experience, training, and education to resolve infection prevention challenges and develop initiatives that improve outcomes and conserve healthcare resources.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical coverage beginning on day one for employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• Optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• PTO and Extended Illness Bank accruals, paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service.
• Wellness and fitness resources and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System and voluntary retirement plans.
• Employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
• Educational opportunities and individual and team recognition.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level