Infection Prevention Manager
Salem, OR, US
Management / Supervisory
Full Time
Job ID: #17482
Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Infection Prevention
Position Type: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Exempt
Schedule: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Your role with us
As the Infection Prevention Manager at Salem Health, you will lead a system-wide program that protects patients, caregivers, providers, and communities from healthcare-associated infections and emerging infectious disease threats. In this highly visible leadership role, you will oversee infection prevention strategies across Salem Hospital, West Valley Hospital, and affiliated outpatient settings, ensuring consistent practices that support quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Working collaboratively with clinical, operational, and executive leaders, you will drive initiatives that strengthen patient outcomes, improve regulatory readiness, and promote a culture of safety throughout the organization. You will guide surveillance efforts, outbreak response, policy development, and educational programs while also leading a team of infection prevention professionals. This role is ideal for an experienced nurse leader who combines strong clinical expertise, analytical thinking, and a passion for improving healthcare quality across a complex health system.
What you'll do
- Lead and oversee a comprehensive infection prevention and control program across inpatient and outpatient settings throughout the health system
- Monitor and analyze healthcare-associated infection, multidrug-resistant organism, and infectious disease surveillance data to identify trends and drive improvement initiatives
- Coordinate outbreak investigations and response activities while partnering with operational and clinical leaders to mitigate risk and maintain patient safety
- Develop, implement, and maintain infection prevention policies and procedures that align with regulatory and accreditation requirements
- Collaborate with nursing, medical staff, employee health, and operational teams to support compliance, quality improvement, and patient safety goals
- Provide consultation on infection prevention considerations related to construction, renovation, equipment acquisition, and exposure management
- Lead infection prevention committees, task forces, and educational programs that promote evidence-based practices across all care settings.
- Manage department operations, including staff development, performance management, budgeting, vendor relationships, contracts, and policy oversight.
- Promote operational excellence through process improvement, standardization, and Lean management principles.
What we're looking for
- Experienced infection prevention leader with strong knowledge of healthcare-associated infection surveillance, outbreak response, regulatory reporting, and infection prevention best practices.
- Proven ability to assess complex clinical and operational challenges, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions that improve quality and patient safety outcomes.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build credibility with physicians, nursing leaders, operational leaders, and executive stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence delivering data, recommendations, and challenging information to senior leadership, committees, and Board-level audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change through partnership and influence, bringing stakeholders together around shared goals and evidence-based practices.
- Collaborative and approachable leadership style that balances expertise with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Ability to remain composed, decisive, and solutions-focused when responding to outbreaks, regulatory issues, and other high-pressure situations.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Current unencumbered Oregon Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or ability to obtain within one year of hire
- Three years of acute care registered nursing experience
- Five years of nursing or healthcare experience
- Two years of infection prevention experience
Additional information
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred
- 3-5 years of infection prevention experience preferred
- Two years of progressive leadership experience preferred
- Experience with Lean methodology and performance improvement initiatives preferred
- Strong project management, data analysis, and outbreak investigation skills
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals at all organizational levels
Total rewards package
Salem Health's comprehensive benefits package prioritizes your mental and physical health, financial stability, family obligations, and professional growth. Click here for details.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.
Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Infection Prevention
Position Type: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Exempt
Schedule: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Your role with us
As the Infection Prevention Manager at Salem Health, you will lead a system-wide program that protects patients, caregivers, providers, and communities from healthcare-associated infections and emerging infectious disease threats. In this highly visible leadership role, you will oversee infection prevention strategies across Salem Hospital, West Valley Hospital, and affiliated outpatient settings, ensuring consistent practices that support quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Working collaboratively with clinical, operational, and executive leaders, you will drive initiatives that strengthen patient outcomes, improve regulatory readiness, and promote a culture of safety throughout the organization. You will guide surveillance efforts, outbreak response, policy development, and educational programs while also leading a team of infection prevention professionals. This role is ideal for an experienced nurse leader who combines strong clinical expertise, analytical thinking, and a passion for improving healthcare quality across a complex health system.
What you'll do
- Lead and oversee a comprehensive infection prevention and control program across inpatient and outpatient settings throughout the health system
- Monitor and analyze healthcare-associated infection, multidrug-resistant organism, and infectious disease surveillance data to identify trends and drive improvement initiatives
- Coordinate outbreak investigations and response activities while partnering with operational and clinical leaders to mitigate risk and maintain patient safety
- Develop, implement, and maintain infection prevention policies and procedures that align with regulatory and accreditation requirements
- Collaborate with nursing, medical staff, employee health, and operational teams to support compliance, quality improvement, and patient safety goals
- Provide consultation on infection prevention considerations related to construction, renovation, equipment acquisition, and exposure management
- Lead infection prevention committees, task forces, and educational programs that promote evidence-based practices across all care settings.
- Manage department operations, including staff development, performance management, budgeting, vendor relationships, contracts, and policy oversight.
- Promote operational excellence through process improvement, standardization, and Lean management principles.
What we're looking for
- Experienced infection prevention leader with strong knowledge of healthcare-associated infection surveillance, outbreak response, regulatory reporting, and infection prevention best practices.
- Proven ability to assess complex clinical and operational challenges, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions that improve quality and patient safety outcomes.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build credibility with physicians, nursing leaders, operational leaders, and executive stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence delivering data, recommendations, and challenging information to senior leadership, committees, and Board-level audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change through partnership and influence, bringing stakeholders together around shared goals and evidence-based practices.
- Collaborative and approachable leadership style that balances expertise with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Ability to remain composed, decisive, and solutions-focused when responding to outbreaks, regulatory issues, and other high-pressure situations.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Current unencumbered Oregon Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or ability to obtain within one year of hire
- Three years of acute care registered nursing experience
- Five years of nursing or healthcare experience
- Two years of infection prevention experience
Additional information
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred
- 3-5 years of infection prevention experience preferred
- Two years of progressive leadership experience preferred
- Experience with Lean methodology and performance improvement initiatives preferred
- Strong project management, data analysis, and outbreak investigation skills
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals at all organizational levels
Total rewards package
Salem Health's comprehensive benefits package prioritizes your mental and physical health, financial stability, family obligations, and professional growth. Click here for details.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.
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Career exploration program
Whatever your background or career aspirations, there’s a place for you at Salem Health. And our Career Exploration Program can help you identify the ideal opportunity to pursue. The Program allows you to work alongside a healthcare professional as you gain insight into a fulfilling hospital career.
Nursing
Since 2010, Salem Hospital has continuously achieved Magnet™-designation – the gold standard for nursing excellence. Only eight percent of all hospitals achieve this prestigious distinction.
We’ve been able to do this by maintaining a nursing culture that is defined by:
- Consistent teamwork and collaboration
- Exemplary resources to support clinical nurses
- Engaged and inspiring leadership
- A focus on well-being, resilience, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong professional development opportunities
- Pride in delivering quality-of-care that exceeds national norms
- An empowering professional governance structure and professional practice model
- New grad residency support, preceptorship, and mentoring
- Open and transparent strategy alignment
- Feedback is encouraged, valued and incorporated from the staff at all levels.
- Partnerships with community organizations that support improved patient outcomes
If you’re looking for a setting where you can achieve your highest potential as a nurse, we invite you to join us. We welcome all nurses, including those from outside of the United States. At Salem Health, you can experience an inclusive culture that values and rewards your unique qualities and background.
RN residency program
Begin your journey from student nurse to confident practitioner with our RN Residency Program. The program features a combination of didactic lessons, simulation, and track-specific class options. It begins with orientation and training and proceeds to preceptorship and mentorship. Through the program, you will gain clinical expertise as well as valuable professional skills such as communication and critical thinking.
Certified nursing assistants
As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), your contributions are absolutely crucial. You will provide compassionate reassurance and vital patient support in order to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care possible. You will receive competitive compensation as you provide patients with physical care and emotional support. We seek empathetic, and non-judgmental individuals with a sincere passion for elevating others’ lives.
Postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency program
The Salem Health Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) Residency Program enhances your PharmD education as you develop your clinical expertise in the medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions. The program will be eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residency training. Upon completion of the Salem Health PGY1 residency, we believe you will be a confident and highly capable general practitioner, and well-prepared for the next step in your career.
We will meet you wherever you are on your career journey, and walk with you to your destination
There are over 900 unique positions to choose from at Salem Health. Whatever your background or your professional and personal aspirations, we offer an inclusive learning environment where you can achieve your highest potential in a career that grows with you. And, we’ll help you along the way with perks like tuition reimbursement and certification bonuses.
With so many options, why work anywhere else?
