Infection Preventionist - Infection Control

Infection Preventionist

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a world-renowned cancer center dedicated to excellence in patient care, research, education, and prevention. The Infection Preventionist plays a critical role in protecting patients, visitors, and employees by leading infection prevention and control activities across inpatient, ambulatory, and Houston Area Locations (HALs).

The Infection Preventionist serves as a subject matter expert, helping drive patient safety initiatives and ensuring compliance with regulatory and evidence-based infection prevention standards.

Within the Infection Prevention department, the Infection Preventionist collaborates with clinical and operational leaders to identify, monitor, prevent, and control healthcare-associated infections. The Infection Preventionist develops surveillance strategies, analyzes infection data, supports regulatory readiness, and provides education across UT MD Anderson. This role serves as a key liaison between hospital-based and ambulatory care settings while promoting best practices that improve patient outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative infection prevention professional with strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills who demonstrates accountability, a high reliability organization mindset, and a passion for patient safety in complex healthcare environments. Preferred qualifications include a Master's Degree in Public Health, Biostatistics, Nursing, or Epidemiology.

Candidates should possess acute care infection prevention experience, experience with surveillance programs, infection data analysis, regulatory compliance, accreditation readiness, performance improvement initiatives, and proficiency with NHSN and electronic medical records. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is required and highly valued.

Minimum $37.26/hour - Midpoint $46.63/hour - Maximum $56.01/hour

Why Us?

At UT MD Anderson, the Infection Preventionist directly supports the institution's mission by protecting patients from healthcare-associated infections and advancing patient safety across a highly specialized healthcare environment. This role offers opportunities to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, contribute to performance improvement initiatives, influence organizational outcomes, and participate in professional development through education, research, and evidence-based practice while benefiting from a comprehensive

rewards package.

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance. • Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options. • Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups. • Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

• Surveillance & Infection Monitoring • 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 • Perform patient assessments to evaluate care practices and infectious risk potential • Recognize unusual infections and infection patterns exceeding endemic conditions • Maintain awareness of environmental conditions that may impact immunocompromised patients • Collect, analyze, trend, and report infection prevention data • Design, conduct, and analyze special studies related to infection prevention and control • Recommend infection prevention interventions and control measures • Report communicable diseases to appropriate regulatory agencies as required by law
• Regulatory Compliance & Patient Safety • Inspect patient care areas to ensure compliance with CDC guidelines and regulatory requirements • Monitor adherence to infection prevention standards across clinical settings • Protect patients from healthcare-associated infections in all UT MD Anderson clinical environments • Support accreditation readiness and regulatory compliance initiatives • Identify infection prevention risks and recommend corrective actions • Promote evidence-based infection prevention practices throughout the organization
• Collaboration & Consultation • Serve as a liaison among patient care departments, the Infection Control Officer, Director of Infection Control, 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 • Facilitate coordination between hospital-based, ambulatory, and Houston Area Locations • Support organization-wide infection prevention and patient safety initiatives
• Education & Training • Develop and present orientation and continuing education programs related to infection prevention and control • Deliver educational presentations to audiences ranging from small groups to large auditorium settings • Present research findings through oral presentations and poster sessions at professional conferences • Maintain flexibility to support departmental educational needs across varying schedules • Educate staff on infection prevention policies, procedures, and best practices
• Policy Development & Performance Improvement • Ensure development, implementation, and adherence to departmental and institutional policies • Assist with development of 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 investigation, identification, and follow-up of communicable disease exposures • Utilize professional experience, training, and education to identify and resolve infection prevention challenges • Develop initiatives that improve outcomes and conserve healthcare resources
• EDUCATION
• Required: Bachelor's Degree Health related field.
• Preferred: Master's Degree Public Health, Biostatistics, Nursing or Epidemiology.
• WORK EXPERIENCE
• Required: 3 years Patient care experience.
• Preferred: Experience in academic medical centers, hospitals, infection prevention departments, and public health organizations; performance improvement experience; ability to independently develop and present educational programs; ability to present research findings at professional conferences
• LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Required: RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure State of Texas Professional Nursing license (RN). Upon Hire or
• Required: MT - Medical Technologist American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification (BOC). Upon Hire or
• Required: Certified Microbiologists-NRCM American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification (BOC). Upon Hire or
• Required: CLS - Clinical Laboratory Scientist American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification (BOC). Upon Hire or
• Required: CIC - Certified in Infection Control Certification Board of Infection Control. Upon Hire
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent