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Infection Control Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Build your career as an Infection Control Specialist and play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of patients, employees, and visitors. You will drive infection prevention initiatives ...

Build your career as an Infection Control Specialist and play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of patients, employees, and visitors. You will drive infection prevention initiatives ...

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Infection Control Specialist information

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How much do infection control specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for infection control specialist in the United States is $36.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.57 and $44.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does an Infection Control Specialist typically collaborate with other healthcare team members to implement effective protocols?

Infection Control Specialists work closely with nurses, physicians, environmental services staff, and hospital administrators to develop and enforce infection prevention strategies. They often lead training sessions, conduct regular audits, and provide guidance on best practices to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Effective communication and interdisciplinary teamwork are essential, as the specialist must coordinate outbreak responses and adapt protocols based on feedback from frontline staff. This collaborative approach helps maintain a safe environment for both patients and healthcare workers.

What is an Infection Control Specialist?

An Infection Control Specialist is a healthcare professional responsible for preventing and controlling the spread of infections within healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. They develop, implement, and monitor infection prevention protocols, educate staff on proper hygiene practices, and investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases. Their work is essential for ensuring patient and staff safety by minimizing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

What is the difference between Infection Control Specialist vs Healthcare Quality Coordinator?

AspectInfection Control SpecialistHealthcare Quality Coordinator
CertificationsInfection Control Certification (CIC), CDC trainingCertified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), relevant healthcare certifications
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, long-term care facilitiesHospitals, outpatient centers, healthcare organizations
Employer & IndustryHealthcare facilities focusing on infection preventionHealthcare organizations focusing on quality improvement
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding infection prevention rolesComparing healthcare quality roles

The Infection Control Specialist primarily focuses on preventing and managing infections within healthcare settings, requiring specific infection control certifications. In contrast, the Healthcare Quality Coordinator concentrates on overall quality improvement initiatives, often holding certifications like CPHQ. Both roles work in similar environments but have distinct focuses—one on infection prevention, the other on broader quality metrics.

What Is the Role of an Infection Control Specialist?

The responsibilities of an infection control specialist involve the monitoring and investigation of infectious diseases. In this career, your goal is disease prevention and outbreak control. Your duties may include surveillance in at-risk areas or communities and coordinating with public health officials and medical professionals to limit infections and increase early reporting of infection cases. You may also be involved in enacting or changing healthcare regulations to prevent the spread of diseases. You can also find work as an infection control specialist with medical and healthcare practitioner staff to train them on how to protect themselves and keep their clinics from spreading infections.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Infection Control Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Infection Control Specialist, you need a solid background in microbiology, epidemiology, and public health, often supported by a degree in a healthcare field and certification such as CIC (Certification in Infection Control). Proficiency with surveillance software, data analysis tools, and knowledge of infection prevention guidelines (e.g., CDC protocols) is crucial. Strong communication, attention to detail, and leadership skills help drive compliance and educate staff effectively. These competencies are vital for preventing healthcare-associated infections, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
What cities are hiring for Infection Control Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Infection Control Specialist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Infection Control Specialist jobs? The most popular types of Infection Control Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Infection Control Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Infection Control Specialist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Infection Control Specialist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,405 per year, or $36.7 per hour.
Infection Control Specialist

Infection Control Specialist

One Community Health

Sacramento, CA

$30.53 - $38.61/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Infection Control Specialist
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.
Essential Functions:
  • 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 amp; 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.
Additional Duties:
  • Serve as back up for the employee health amp; infection control nurse on items related to infection control
Education/Experience Required:
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology, or a related field.
  • Experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in an infection prevention and control role, preferably within a healthcare setting.
  • Certifications:
    • 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
  • Knowledge: 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.
  • Skills:
    • 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
Preferred:
  • 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
Reasonable Accommodations
One Community Health endorses and supports the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations. If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application or you are experiencing difficulty submitting your application, please contact us at ochhumanresources@onecommunityhealth.com.
Our Benefits
For more information on the comprehensive benefits we provide, please visit: https://onecommunityhealth.com/careers/recruitment

Additional Information:
We only employ US citizens and non-US citizens authorized to work in the United States in compliance with federal law.