IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists

IP LifeLine from Infection Control Today

The field of infection prevention and control (IPC) in the US is currently facing significant turbulence. While the COVID-19 pandemic clearly highlighted the crucial role of infection preventionists (IPs), recent years have brought increased operational costs and shrinking insurance reimbursements for health care organizations. These financial pressures are forcing difficult decisions, often leading to hiring freezes and even layoffs.

These realities are now directly impacting IPs, with a growing number reporting an inability to fill vacant roles due to freezes, and some even experiencing layoffs themselves. Unfortunately, IPC departments are frequently viewed as cost centers rather than revenue generators, making them vulnerable to cuts. This has created a widespread perception among IPs that their value, so evident during the pandemic, has diminished now that the immediate crisis has passed.

Despite understanding the financial landscape, it is challenging for IPs not to feel that senior leadership increasingly sees them as nonessential to the bottom line, contributing to a sense of being expendable or extraneous when budgets are allocated. This highlights a significant disconnect between IPs' perceived value and their categorization within an organization's financial priorities.

This article explores this evolving situation, identifies the demographics most affected by these shifts, and provides actionable recommendations for IPs looking to thrive in this changing environment.

Who Is Feeling the Impact Most?

Jonnie Jacobs of Clutch Recruitment, an agency specializing in placing infection prevention professionals, recently shared insights into the current hiring climate. His agency expertly matches candidates, from novice IPs to regional and corporate IPC leaders, with suitable roles.

Jacobs noted that recent layoffs and hiring freezes are not affecting all IP professionals equally. While these cutbacks are occurring nationwide, they appear more prevalent in larger healthcare organizations located in urban areas. He is also observing a concentrated impact on part-time, entry-level, and noncertified IPs, making opportunities scarcer for those eager to enter the field. Conversely, experienced IPs, solo IPs, and IP Leaders often possess extensive experience or specialized credentials that seem to offer a degree of protection during these challenging times.

Adding another dimension, Jacobs highlighted that layoffs are now reaching higher levels, particularly within corporate and executive IP roles. Fully remote director and VP-level IP positions, for instance, have become increasingly vulnerable as organizations prioritize bringing leadership back onsite or eliminate remote-only leadership roles entirely. This trend provides a more complete picture for IP professionals at every stage of their careers.

Navigating Uncertainty: Your Action Plan

It must be incredibly unsettling for IPs to hear about hiring freezes and layoffs, creating understandable anxiety about job security and career progression. However, information is powerful, and understanding these current trends in the field can be incredibly useful. If you or an IP you know is experiencing this, please know that you are not alone. There's a strong, supportive community of IPs and recruiters who specialize in placing IPs available to offer guidance and support during these challenging times. Despite this challenging climate, IPs who find themselves in this space or are looking for a new role can take concrete steps to boost their marketability and navigate this new landscape.

• Leverage Your Network: First, build and engage with your personal and professional networks. These connections can provide support, share job leads, and offer insights into which facilities are hiring and what skills or backgrounds they prefer. If you're a member of a local Association for Professionals in Infection and Epidemiology (APIC) Chapter, that is a great place to start; if not, consider joining. To locate your local APIC chapter, please see the list of resources below.¹
• Optimize Your Resume and Showcase Your Value: Second, regularly review and update your resume to clearly highlight your skills and expertise. When you find a role that sparks your interest, tailor your resume to specifically match the skills and experience the employer is looking for. This is your chance to emphasize your unique value proposition. Go beyond just listing your past responsibilities. Instead, quantify your achievements and demonstrate the tangible impact you've made.

An infection preventionist sitting at a desk with a computer, with "We regret to inform you" on the screen.

(AI image credit to author)

For instance, how have your interventions directly reduced health care-associated infections (HAIs)? What specific cost savings have you achieved through your prevention efforts? Focus on how you contribute to patient safety, ensure regulatory compliance, and boost overall organizational efficiency. Consider developing a business case for the IPC role itself, articulating how infection prevention directly benefits an organization's financial health and reputation.

• Consider Connecting with Specialized Recruiters: Third, if you're new to the job market or unsure what organizations or facilities would be the best match for your experience consider connecting with a recruiter specializing in health care and infection prevention; They are invaluable resources, working with organizations actively recruiting for IP roles where your background and experience may be a good fit. Recruiters can also provide insights into internal hiring processes and guidance on how to best present your experience. Don't hesitate to reach out to them to learn how they can best aid you in your search.
• Broaden Your Search Horizons: Fourth, expand your job search geographically. Explore other health care organizations in your area beyond the largest urban and academic centers. Opportunities might exist in smaller hospitals, short and long-term care facilities, community health, home health, and outpatient clinics. Also, consider if this is a time in your life when relocating makes sense. Expanding your search to areas you're interested in moving to will open up more opportunities.
• Explore Nontraditional IP Roles: Finally, consider roles outside traditional health care IP. While health care IP roles may be more limited right now, explore opportunities in related fields. This could include public health (some departments may still need epidemiologists or public health specialists), health care consulting (firms often seek IPs with expertise in quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and infection prevention program development), or even medical device and pharmaceutical companies (which often hire IPs for roles in product development, clinical support, or education).

Conclusion: Navigating a Shifting Landscape

The current climate for IPs, while undeniably presenting challenges, is also a powerful catalyst for strategic growth and new opportunities. The insights shared in this article highlight that, while funding shifts have created turbulence and present challenges in the job market, this is far from an insurmountable challenge. Instead, it's a dynamic landscape where exciting IP opportunities exist across the US for professionals at all experience levels.

By proactively investing in your professional network, leveraging peer support and organizations like APIC, you'll gain invaluable insights into emerging roles and in-demand skills. Critically, by refining your resume to quantify your impact and powerfully highlight your unique value, you will demonstrate your direct contribution to an organization.

Finally, by broadening your job search horizons beyond traditional settings and considering nontraditional IP roles, you'll discover new avenues where your expertise is highly valued. The IP community is incredibly resilient, and by taking these actionable steps, you can enhance your marketability, confidently seize new opportunities, and successfully thrive in this evolving landscape.

Resource

1. APIC Chapter Map