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Director Infection Prevention

Dallas, TX · On-site

Serving as the system's subject matter expert in infection prevention, the Director leads a coordinated, system-wide approach to reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), mitigating ...

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How much do system infection prevention jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for system infection prevention in the United States is $42.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.94 and $44.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a system infection prevention specialist?

System Infection Prevention specialists are healthcare professionals who develop, implement, and oversee infection control policies across multiple facilities or an entire healthcare system. Their primary goal is to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases within hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They work closely with staff to ensure compliance with regulations, educate on best practices, and monitor infection rates. These specialists play a critical role in maintaining patient safety and public health by minimizing healthcare-associated infections.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a system infection prevention specialist?

To excel as a System Infection Preventionist, you need a background in nursing, microbiology, or public health, often supported by a bachelor’s degree and experience in infection prevention. Familiarity with surveillance software, data analysis tools, and certifications such as CIC (Certification in Infection Control) are commonly required. Outstanding communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills help you influence policy, educate staff, and respond to outbreaks effectively. These abilities are crucial for reducing healthcare-associated infections and ensuring regulatory compliance across healthcare systems.

What are the common challenges faced by professionals in system infection prevention roles, and how can these be addressed?

Professionals in System Infection Prevention often face challenges such as ensuring consistent infection control practices across multiple facilities, keeping up with evolving regulations, and fostering staff compliance. Addressing these challenges involves implementing standardized protocols, conducting regular training sessions, and utilizing data-driven surveillance to identify and mitigate risks. Strong collaboration with clinical staff, leadership, and quality improvement teams is essential to maintain effective prevention strategies and adapt to emerging threats.

What is the difference between System Infection Prevention vs Infection Control Specialist?

AspectSystem Infection PreventionInfection Control Specialist
CertificationsCPR, CDC, OSHA trainingCPR, CDC, OSHA training
Work EnvironmentHealthcare facilities, hospitals, clinicsHealthcare facilities, hospitals, clinics
Job FocusImplementing infection prevention systems and protocolsMonitoring, investigating, and controlling infections

Both roles require similar certifications and work in healthcare settings. System Infection Prevention focuses on establishing and maintaining infection prevention systems, while Infection Control Specialists primarily monitor and respond to infection outbreaks. The roles often overlap but differ in scope: prevention versus response and investigation.

Is infection control a stressful job?

Infection prevention professionals often work in high-pressure environments, especially during outbreaks or emergencies, which can contribute to stress. The job requires attention to detail, adherence to strict protocols, and sometimes irregular hours, all of which can impact stress levels. Proper training and support can help manage these challenges effectively.

Is infection prevention a good career?

A career in infection prevention involves implementing protocols to reduce the spread of infections in healthcare and other settings. It requires knowledge of microbiology, safety standards, and often certification, offering stable employment with opportunities for advancement. The field is essential for public health and can be rewarding for those interested in healthcare and safety roles.

What cities are hiring for System Infection Prevention jobs?

Cities with the most System Infection Prevention job openings:

What states have the most System Infection Prevention jobs?

States with the most job openings for System Infection Prevention jobs include:

What are popular job titles for System Infection Prevention?

Popular job titles for System Infection Prevention:

System Infection Prevention jobs near you
Infographic showing various System Infection Prevention job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,084 per year, or $42.3 per hour.

Director Infection Prevention

Dallas, TX • On-site

720004 - HSQ-HS Infection Prevention
See more jobs at 720004 - HSQ-HS Infection Preventionexternal

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report , we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
The Director, Health System Infection Prevention provides recommendations, to enterprise leadership, for the design, execution, and sustained advancement of infection prevention and control across UT Southwestern Health System. This role reports to the Associate Vice President of Quality & Operational Excellence and is accountable for translating the Performance Excellence System and High Reliability principles into consistent, measurable, and reliable infection prevention practices across all sites of care. Serving as the system's subject matter expert in infection prevention, the Director leads a coordinated, system-wide approach to reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), mitigating transmission risk, and strengthening a culture of safety and accountability. This role ensures that strategy is operationalized through aligned systems, standard work, and disciplined execution, advancing UT Southwestern's mission, academic distinction, and commitment to exceptional patient care.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
  • PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
  • 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
  • Paid Time Off, available day one
  • Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
  • Paid Parental Leave Benefit
  • Wellness programs
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
  • Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
  • Education
    Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology, or related field required
  • Experience
    10 years of progressive experience in infection prevention, epidemiology, or quality improvement with a Bachelor's degree or
    7 years of progressive experience with a Master's degree
    5 years leading infection prevention or quality professionals
    Demonstrated success leading enterprise or system-level initiatives in complex, matrixed healthcare environments
Preferred
  • Education
    Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology, or related field required
  • Licenses and Certifications
    MT (ASCP) or M (ASCP)
    (CIC) Cert in Infection Control within 2 Years or
    (A-IPC) Associate Infection Prevention and Control within 2 Years
JOB DUTIES
  • Enterprise Infection Prevention Strategy & System Alignment
    • Recommend the development and execution of a comprehensive, system-wide infection prevention strategy aligned with the Performance Excellence System, High Reliability principles, and organizational priorities.
    • Establish and standardize enterprise policies, frameworks, and expectations for infection prevention across inpatient, ambulatory, and procedural settings.
    • Integrate infection prevention into the broader Performance Excellence System, ensuring alignment with quality, patient safety, workforce, and operational priorities.
    • Translate strategic priorities into clear execution pathways, enabling consistency across a complex, matrixed academic health system.
    • Partner with Quality & Operational Excellence leaders, entity leadership, and Infection Prevention teams to ensure alignment and disciplined execution of infection prevention priorities, driving consistency, reducing variation, and advancing system-wide performance.
  • Execution of the Performance Excellence System
    • Drive consistent application of the Performance Excellence System within infection prevention across all sites of care.
    • Assess system and entity performance to identify variation, emerging risks, and improvement opportunities related to HAIs and transmission prevention.
    • Recommend enterprise and entity-level initiatives that translate surveillance and learning into standard work, measurable outcomes, and sustained results.
    • Enable the spread and adoption of effective infection prevention practices and innovations across the health system.
  • System-Wide Performance Improvement & Monitoring
    • Establish and oversee a comprehensive, system-wide infection prevention performance monitoring structure aligned with the Balanced Scorecard.
    • Monitor and trend key infection metrics (e.g., CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, C. difficile, respiratory infections), identifying variation and opportunities for targeted intervention.
    • Ensure performance data drives action, accountability, and sustained improvement at the entity and service line level.
    • Lead ongoing evaluation of interventions to ensure reliability and durability of outcomes.
  • Regulatory & Accreditation Oversight
    • Ensure system-wide compliance with applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements, including:
      • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance
      • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation
      • The Joint Commission standards
      • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements
    • Maintain continuous system survey readiness, ensuring alignment of policies, practices, and documentation.
    • Oversee responses to regulatory citations, infection-related findings, and corrective action plans, ensuring timely and sustainable resolution.
  • Infection Prevention Operations, Surveillance & Standardization
    • Oversee the design and execution of comprehensive infection prevention programs to reduce healthcare-associated infections.
    • Establish standardized surveillance methodologies, definitions, and reporting processes, maintaining oversight as NHSN system administrator.
    • Ensure data accuracy, validation, and timely reporting of infection metrics.
    • Standardize and hardwire evidence-based practices (e.g., hand hygiene, isolation, device utilization, environmental cleaning) into daily management systems.
    • Align infection prevention plans with broader organizational performance improvement priorities.
  • Outbreak, Exposure & Emergency Preparedness Leadership
    • Recommend system-wide outbreak and exposure management, including consultation on high-risk or complex cases.
    • Serve as co-leader, with the Medical Director of Infection Prevention, of the Health System Infection Prevention & Epidemiology (HIEP) response, driving coordinated response efforts.
    • Recommend enterprise preparedness for emerging infectious diseases, pandemics, and surge scenarios.
    • Coordinate with public health authorities to ensure timely communication, reporting, and response alignment.
    • Ensure lessons learned are translated into standard work and system-level improvements.
  • IP Policy, Product Risk & Value Analysis Oversight
    • Oversee development, standardization, and governance of infection prevention policies, procedures, and documentation.
    • Conduct infection risk assessments for new products, equipment, and vendor proposals.
    • Review Instructions for Use (IFUs) and evaluate infection risk associated with new technologies.
    • Partner with vendors and internal stakeholders to assess infection risks and mitigation strategies.
    • Participate in system Value Analysis and product standardization committees, ensuring alignment with evidence-based and regulatory requirements.
    • Monitor infection trends following product implementation to ensure safety and effectiveness.
  • Culture of Safety, Accountability & Organizational Influence
    • Promote a culture where infection prevention is a shared responsibility across all levels of leadership and frontline staff.
    • Integrate infection prevention into the broader quality, patient safety, and operational excellence infrastructure.
    • Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for infection risk, influencing system strategy and decision-making.
    • Reinforce that reliability in infection prevention is achieved through consistent systems, leadership behaviors, and disciplined execution.
  • Measurement, Governance & Executive Engagement
    • Define and steward enterprise infection prevention metrics, targets, and performance thresholds, aligned with the system Balanced Scorecard.
    • Provide executive leadership, governance committees, and boards with integrated insights on infection performance, trends, and risks.
    • Translate complex surveillance data into clear, actionable insights that drive decision-making and accountability.
  • Team Leadership & Workforce Development
    • Lead, mentor, and develop Infection Prevention Managers and Infection Preventionists (IPs) across the system.
    • Establish competency standards, role clarity, and performance expectations.
    • Support professional development, including certification (CIC) and ongoing education.
    • Ensure appropriate staffing models and resource allocation across sites of care.
    • Build system capability to ensure teams can execute infection prevention practices reliably and consistently.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

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