Infection Control Nurse

The County of Santa Clara; California (MO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara is seeking an Infection Control Nurse to support planning, development and evaluation of the infection control program across SCVH hospitals and clinics.

Responsibilities include surveillance, reporting, education for hospital personnel, and collaboration with Infection Control leadership to improve patient care and prevent outbreaks.

Qualifications

• Proof of valid California Registered Nurse License is required.
• Experience in infection control is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Collects data for analysis, interpretation and reporting of infections.
• Assists in identifying patterns and trends of infections.
• Investigates disease outbreaks and employee exposure to communicable disease.
• Presents infection control orientation for nursing personnel.
• Plans and evaluates yearly infection control programs for hospital staff.

Skills

Infection control

Education

BSN preferred

Job description

Under direction, to assist in the planning, development and evaluation of the infection control program and to conduct surveillance and reporting activities and education programs for all hospital personnel involved in patient care.

Final Filing Date: The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after issue date.

Proof of valid California Registered Nurse License is required. Only applicants who attach proof of their State of California license to their job application will be accepted. All applicants who do not attach verification will be rejected.

The Power of WE: Together, we can make a greater impact. Bringing better care and expanding healthcare services across the community.

Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) is the second largest public health care system in California and includes four acute care hospitals, 14 clinics and 60+ specialty and sub-specialty services. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and excellent service to everyone in Santa Clara County.

Because we serve patients throughout multiple hospitals and clinics, you may have to work at different sites. We will meet any obligations we may have when this occurs.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - SCVMC is a full-service tertiary acute care teaching hospital with 699 licensed beds providing a wide range of specialized services, including Rehabilitation, Burn, Trauma, and NICU. SCVMC was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #6 Rehabilitation Hospital in the nation and #1 in the West and designated as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care, Heart Failure, Stroke, Hip Fracture, and Pneumonia.

O'Connor Hospital - O'Connor Hospital (OCH) is a 358 licensed bed acute care facility offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and specialty programs to residents of Santa Clara County. It was founded in 1889 as one of the first hospitals in the county. OCH has grown significantly over the past five years in both its inpatient volume and its Emergency Department visits. Along with these volume increases other ancillary and clinical departments like imaging, lab, pharmacy, and respiratory have seen growth as well.

St. Louise Regional Hospital - Since 1989, St. Louise Regional Hospital (SLRH) has been caring for the residents in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient medical specialties. SLRH has 93 beds, is a Designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only acute care hospital in the area. Located in Gilroy, SLRH maintains a CALSTAR 2 emergency helicopter base on the premises.

Regional Medical Center - Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a 265-bed hospital that is the main emergency healthcare provider for East San José, treating a wide range of critical and life‑threatening conditions for more than 60 years. Since the SCVH integration of RMC effective 4/1/25, RMC has expanded the critical services including Level II trauma, Thrombectomy capable Stroke Center and STEMI care, and has been seeing an increased number of emergency visits and inpatient volume.

Custody Health Services - Custody Health Services (CHS) provides medical, mental health, and dental services to patients in custody at the four County detention facilities: Main Jail, Elmwood, Juvenile Hall, and James Ranch. On‑site routine and urgent/emergent medical services are provided at both Main Jail and Elmwood adult jail facilities in Santa Clara County. Health care of incarcerated patients includes care of acute and chronic illness as well as preventative and specialty care. CHS also operates a 40‑bed acute psychiatric inpatient housing unit at the Main Jail facility for incarcerated adults who require acute inpatient services for stabilization. Juvenile Custody Health Services provides integrated medical services including comprehensive pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care to justice‑involved youth housed in Juvenile Hall and James Ranch.

• Collects data for analysis, interpretation and reporting of infections;
• Assists in identifying patterns and trends of infections;
• Investigates disease outbreaks and clusters, and employee exposure to communicable disease;
• Reports communicable diseases to the County Health Department;
• Prepares summaries of surveillance and exposure activities;
• Participates in follow‑up or corrective action in relation to surveillance activities, as indicated by the Infection Control Supervisor, Hospital Epidemiologist and/or Infection Control Board;
• Presents infection control orientation for all nursing personnel;
• Assists in planning, presenting and evaluating yearly, and as needed, infection control programs for all hospital personnel involved in patient care practice;
• Presents informal educational information during ward rounds as part of surveillance and consultation responsibilities;
• Presents classes on specific infection control areas as indicated by assessment of hospital needs;
• Assists nursing and other hospital departments in development of current, accurate policies and procedures at least every two years or whenever necessary;
• Provides requested problem‑solving assistance when infection control problems occur;
• Performs site visits on a regular basis to assist in the development of appropriate and cost effective infection control practices;
• Provides infection control consultation and representation on committees as appointed;
• Assists in the planning, development and evaluation of the infection control program;
• Functions, if appointed, as relief Infection Control Supervisor in his/her absence, in consultation with the Hospital Epidemiologist;
• Assists Infection Control Supervisor with departmental responsibilities as needed (e.g., surveys, consultations, disseminating infection control policies, etc.);
• Maintains professional development by attending and participating in professional organizations, e.g., Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (A.P.I.C.) and local Journal Club;
• Attends programs and conferences in infection control and other related subjects;
• Keeps abreast of current literature in the field of infection control;
• Seeks learning experience to maintain knowledge and skills necessary to function as an Infection Control Nurse.

Graduate of an approved nursing program (preferably BSN), currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in California and sufficient education and experience which demonstrate possession of the qualifications necessary to successfully perform the typical tasks noted above.

Experience Note: A qualified applicant would typically have educational preparation at the Bachelor's level (BSN), at least three years of acute care experience, and specialized training and expertise or experience in infection control in a teaching institution. Certification in Infection Control (C.I.C.) is preferred.