1

Infection Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Infection Preventionist

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$48.52 - $72.78/hr

Infection Preventionist | PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Vancouver, WA Full-Time | 1.0 FTE | Day Shift | Fully On-Site (5 Days/Week) Pay Range: $48.52 - $72.78 per hour The hiring rate is ...

Infection Preventionist

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$48.52 - $72.78/hr

Description Infection Preventionist | PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Vancouver, WA Full-Time | 1.0 FTE | Day Shift | Fully On-Site (5 Days/Week) Pay Range: $48.52 - $72.78 per hour The hiring ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Infection information

See Portland, OR salary details

$21

$50

$81

How much do infection jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for infection in Portland, OR is $50.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.99 and $58.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an infection control specialist?

Infection control specialists are healthcare professionals who focus on preventing and managing the spread of infectious diseases within healthcare settings, such as hospitals and clinics. They develop and implement infection control policies, conduct staff training, monitor infection data, and work to ensure compliance with health regulations. Their goal is to protect patients, staff, and visitors from acquiring healthcare-associated infections through surveillance, education, and intervention.

What are some common challenges faced by infection control specialists in healthcare settings?

Infection control specialists often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance with infection prevention protocols across diverse staff roles, staying updated on emerging pathogens and regulations, and managing outbreaks swiftly while minimizing disruption to patient care. They must also effectively communicate and educate both clinical and non-clinical staff on best practices, sometimes in high-stress situations. Collaborative problem-solving and adaptability are essential as they work closely with multidisciplinary teams to safeguard patient and staff safety.

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 expertise in microbiology, epidemiology, and healthcare protocols, typically supported by a degree in nursing, public health, or a related field and relevant certifications like CIC (Certification in Infection Control). Familiarity with surveillance software, data analysis tools, and regulatory compliance systems is often required. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help ensure successful collaboration with healthcare teams and implementation of infection prevention strategies. These competencies are crucial for minimizing infection risks, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining regulatory standards in healthcare environments.

What is the difference between Infection vs Medical Laboratory Technician?

AspectInfectionMedical Laboratory Technician
Required CredentialsMay include certifications in infection control or public healthAssociate degree in medical laboratory technology, certification often required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, public health settingsLaboratories, hospitals, diagnostic centers
Industry UsagePublic health, infection control programsMedical diagnostics, clinical testing
Common Search/ComparisonInfection vs Medical Laboratory Technician

Infection specialists focus on preventing and controlling infections, often working in public health or infection control roles. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform diagnostic tests in labs to identify diseases. While both roles are vital in healthcare, they differ in credentials, work environment, and primary responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Infection jobs in Portland, OR?

For Infection jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Infection job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,423 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Infection Preventionist

PeaceHealth

Vancouver, WA • On-site

$48.52 - $72.78/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


PeaceHealth rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 175 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

163rd of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Infection Preventionist | PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Vancouver, WA
Full-Time | 1.0 FTE | Day Shift | Fully On-Site (5 Days/Week)
Pay Range: $48.52 - $72.78 per hour
The hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to education, training, work experience, terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, seniority, etc.
At PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, you'll have a direct seat at the table where patient safety decisions are made, partnering with clinical teams to prevent infections, lead meaningful change, and influence outcomes that impact an entire community.
Why PeaceHealth, Why Now?
This is more than infection surveillance. It's an opportunity to help shape the future of patient safety at one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected healthcare organizations while building strong partnerships with caregivers across the hospital.
What's in it for you?
  • Be a visible clinical leader. Work directly with nurses, providers, operational leaders, and frontline teams to improve patient outcomes.
  • Have real influence. Your expertise will guide infection prevention strategies, outbreak response, regulatory readiness, construction planning, and caregiver education.
  • Practice autonomously. You'll have ownership of your work while collaborating with a highly engaged clinical and quality team.
  • Expand your impact beyond bedside care. Improve safety for patients, visitors, and caregivers across the organization.
  • Join a mission-driven health system. PeaceHealth has served communities throughout the Pacific Northwest for more than a century, with a culture rooted in compassion, respect, and service.

What You'll Do
As our Infection Preventionist, you'll help create a safer environment for patients, visitors, and caregivers every day.
In this role, you will:
  • Monitor infection trends and identify opportunities to improve patient safety.
  • Round in clinical areas and partner directly with frontline teams.
  • Investigate healthcare-associated infections and communicable disease cases.
  • Analyze data and share meaningful findings with leaders and caregivers.
  • Educate staff on infection prevention practices and emerging risks.
  • Coach teams on hand hygiene, isolation practices, cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization processes.
  • Respond to potential outbreaks and help contain the spread of infectious diseases.
  • Develop practical action plans that reduce infection risk across inpatient and outpatient settings.
  • Review and update infection prevention policies and procedures.
  • Support regulatory readiness and accreditation requirements.
  • Collaborate with facilities and construction teams on renovation and building projects, including Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA).
  • Assess the care environment and recommend improvements that enhance safety.
  • Partner with public health agencies and internal stakeholders during infection-related events.
  • Serve as a trusted subject matter expert and resource for caregivers throughout the organization.
  • Participate in on-call responsibilities as part of the Infection Prevention team.
  • Support Quality Program Lead functions as part of the role.

What You'll Bring
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, Medical Technology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum two years of experience in:
    • Infection Prevention,
    • Critical Care, or
    • A closely related healthcare specialty.
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Infection prevention practices
    • Epidemiology
    • Microbiology
    • Adult education principles
  • Ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate clinical data.
  • Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

Strongly Preferred
  • CIC (Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology)
  • Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
  • Leadership experience in healthcare settings.
  • Master's degree in Public Health, Nursing, Epidemiology, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline.

Certification Requirement
  • CIC certification required within 24 months of hire if not already obtained, unless otherwise approved by Infection Prevention leadership and HR.

Life at PeaceHealth
At PeaceHealth, we believe exceptional patient care starts with taking care of each other. Our culture is grounded in respect, collaboration, inclusion, and a shared commitment to serving our communities.
You'll join a team where:
  • People genuinely support one another.
  • Leaders value clinical expertise and frontline perspectives.
  • Continuous learning is encouraged and supported.
  • Diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints strengthens our organization.
  • Compassion and excellence are expected to coexist.

We are committed to creating an environment where every caregiver feels welcomed, valued, heard, and empowered to thrive.
Benefits That Support You
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
  • Generous paid time off to rest, recharge, and spend time with the people who matter most
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and matching opportunities
  • Employer-paid life and disability insurance, plus additional coverage options
  • Tuition reimbursement and continuing education support
  • Professional development resources and certification support
  • Wellness programs and caregiver wellbeing resources
  • Expanded Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and mental health support
  • A mission-driven culture that invests in both personal and professional growth

Why Vancouver, Washington?
Vancouver offers the best of Pacific Northwest living without sacrificing convenience.
  • Live minutes from Portland's dining, arts, and entertainment scene.
  • Spend weekends hiking, biking, paddleboarding, skiing, or exploring nearby mountains, rivers, and coastline.
  • Access outstanding schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community.
  • Experience a region known for its natural beauty, outdoor lifestyle, and commitment to wellness.

For full consideration, please submit a current resume with your application. PeaceHealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for all.
See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.

What PeaceHealth employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


PeaceHealth logo

About PeaceHealth

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, WA, is a not-for-profit Catholic health system employing approximately 16,000 caregivers, a multi-specialty medical group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities in Washington, Oregon, Alaska. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. Today, the legacy of its founding Sisters continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Get a feeling for the Spirit of PeaceHealth through this three-minute video, and visit us on Facebook or LinkedIn! We offer competitive compensation, a robust benefitspackage and a collaborative, Mission-driven work environment! To learn more please visit: jobs.peacehealth.org. Questions? Review our Employment FAQor email Recruitment@peacehealth.org. Please note this email does not accept resumes or applications.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Vancouver, WA, US

Year founded

1890

Social media