A Recruiter’s National View on Bridging the Gap in Infection Prevention Hiring

In this episode of Contagious Conversations, the discussion moves beyond internal perspectives and into the broader hiring landscape shaping infection prevention and control (IPC). Hosts Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, and Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC, AL-CIP, welcome Johnnie Jacobs, executive recruiter at Clutch Recruitment, to unpack what organizations are actually looking for and how the field is evolving in real time.

Jacobs opens with a clear mission. “This conversation isn’t about gatekeeping,” he says. “It’s really about clarity and understanding of the IPC landscape.” That clarity quickly becomes essential as the group explores one of the profession’s most persistent questions: who gets hired, and why?

From a national vantage point, Jacobs sees patterns that many individual infection preventionists may miss. While nursing backgrounds remain dominant, the field is slowly broadening. “Our most common backgrounds are [registered nurses (RNs)], public health, microbiology, and biology,” he explains, noting that laboratories and even nontraditional pathways are increasingly represented.

Still, the shift is gradual. “We are seeing a reduction in overall clinical RN requirements,” Jacobs says, “but it varies depending on location and organization.” In some states, like California, RN expectations remain deeply embedded, often tied to historical standards and comfort levels within health systems.

That idea of “comfort” emerges as a key theme. Hiring managers are not just evaluating credentials. They are assessing confidence, communication, and the ability to navigate clinical environments. Jacobs puts it plainly: “Being able to come off as confident in those areas… is a big part of it.”

For IPC professionals from nonclinical backgrounds, that insight matters. It reframes the challenge from one of credentials alone to one of translation and presence. The conversation acknowledges that the learning curve exists on both sides, whether clinical staff are gaining epidemiology expertise or public health professionals are adapting to bedside realities.

Salary disparities add another layer of complexity. Jacobs confirms what many in the field suspect. “We do most often see an increase in base salary for individuals who are RNs,” he says, estimating a difference of about $10,000 at the staff level. The reason is not always role based. Instead, it often reflects how prior clinical experience is credited within compensation structures.

Yet there are signs of progress. Advocacy, data, and transparency are beginning to influence hiring practices. “The gap can close,” Jacobs says. “A big part of it is just advocacy… bringing data to leadership and showing the value of the role.”

That emphasis on data resonates strongly with the IPC audience. From salary benchmarking to certification impact, the conversation highlights tools professionals can use to better understand their worth and negotiate accordingly. Certification, particularly CIC, continues to stand out as a meaningful differentiator for both advancement and credibility.

Beyond the numbers, the episode also underscores the human side of recruitment. Jacobs describes his work as relationship-driven, rooted in conversations about passion, career goals, and long-term growth. “My day in and day out is really just relationships and communication,” he says.

For hiring managers, the takeaway is equally important. Recruitment is not just about filling roles. It is about aligning expectations, understanding market realities, and being willing to evolve. As Jacobs notes, many top candidates are not actively searching, making proactive engagement and competitive positioning essential.

By the end of the episode, one thing is clear. The IPC workforce is changing, even if unevenly. Backgrounds are diversifying, expectations are shifting, and conversations like this are helping to close long-standing gaps.

And as the hosts reflect on the insights shared, a sense of momentum emerges. The profession may not have all the answers yet, but it is asking the right questions.

We will be watching closely as these trends continue to unfold, and we are already looking forward to the next episode of Contagious Conversations.