Infection Control Specialist (Must Be Licensed and ICP certified) Contract role

We are seeking a knowledgeable and proactive Infection Control Specialist to lead and support infection prevention efforts in our behavioral health hospital. This role is responsible for ensuring a safe and sanitary environment for patients, staff, and visitors while addressing the unique challenges of psychiatric and residential care settings. Key Responsibilities Develop, implement, and maintain infection prevention and control policies in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and The Joint Commission standards Conduct ongoing infection surveillance, including tracking and trending of communicable diseases and potential outbreaks Lead outbreak investigation and response efforts, implementing containment and mitigation strategies Educate staff on infection prevention practices such as hand hygiene, PPE use, and environmental safety Collaborate with environmental services to ensure proper cleaning and disinfection protocols Support employee health initiatives, including immunization programs and exposure management Perform audits and compliance rounds; identify gaps and implement corrective actions Maintain accurate documentation and prepare reports for leadership and regulatory agencies Behavioral Health Focus Adapt infection control practices to support a therapeutic, patient-centered environment Address infection risks in group therapy, shared spaces, and communal living settings Balance safety requirements with behavioral health considerations, including patient compliance and ligature risk

Qualifications Required:

Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology, or related field Minimum of 2 years of experience in infection prevention, healthcare, or public health Strong knowledge of infection control principles and regulatory standards

Preferred:

Registered Nurse (RN) license Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric, or residential care settings Key Competencies Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and training abilities Ability to work independently and collaboratively Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills Why Join Us Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a specialized healthcare setting Collaborative, mission-driven team environment Competitive compensation and benefits package Work Environment This position is based in an inpatient behavioral health setting and involves regular interaction with patients and multidisciplinary teams. Flexibility may be required to respond to infection control concerns or outbreaks.