Infection Preventionist

Infection prevention is a cornerstone of safe, high-quality care, and this role sits at the center of that mission across UVA Health. As an Infection Preventionist, you will directly shape how care is delivered byidentifyingrisk, influencing clinical practice, and advancing system-wide infection prevention strategies that protect patients, staff, and the community.

This is a highly specialized, consultative role within a leading academic medical center, offering the opportunity to partner with multidisciplinary teams, develop deepexpertisein ambulatory and procedural infectionprevention, and drive meaningful outcomes across a complex health system.

The Role

This position blends clinical insight, epidemiology, and operational partnership in a fast-paced, highly interactive environment. You will function as both a subject matter expert and a collaborator, working across units, clinics, and departments to ensure best-in-class infection prevention practices are consistently applied.

On a day-to-day basis, your work is both analytical and highly visible, requiringstrong communication, relationship-building, and the ability to influence diverse clinical stakeholders.

In an average day, you will:

• Continuouslymonitorand analyze infection data

• Review microbiology and laboratory reports to detect potential hospital-acquired infections and emerging trends

• Investigate infection events and assess patterns that may require intervention

• Translate data findings into actionable insights for clinical teams

• Guide isolation and transmission-based precautions

• Evaluate patient cases to determineappropriate isolationprotocols

• Ensure alignment with regulatory standards andevidence-based practices

• Provide real-time consultation to frontline clinicians on infection risk

• Conduct proactive rounding and environment assessments

• Perform routine rounds in clinical and ambulatory areas to assess infection prevention practices

• Identifygaps in workflow, sanitation, or compliance and recommend improvements

• Partner with staff to reinforce best practices in real time

• Serve as a key partner to ambulatory and procedural clinics

• Collaborate closely with clinicsutilizing scopes, probes, and sterilized instruments

• Provide oversight and guidance on high-level disinfection and instrument processing workflows

• Help standardize processes to ensure consistency in clean versus contaminated workflows

• Lead infection prevention efforts related to construction and facilities

• Participate in Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA) for construction and renovation projects

• Ensureappropriate infectionprevention measures are in place to protect patients during environmental changes

• Educate, influence, and support clinical teams

• Deliver education sessions and just-in-time coaching on infection prevention practices

• Facilitate discussions and lead initiatives to drive compliance and continuous improvement

• Act as a trusted advisor to nurses, providers, and operational leaders

• Drive system-wide initiatives and compliance efforts

• Support infection prevention policies, regulatory readiness, and accreditation standards

• Collaborate with epidemiologists, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams on strategic initiatives

• Contribute to programs such as water safety, sterilization processes, and transmission prevention protocols

This role offers a unique balance of autonomy, collaboration, and influence , where yourexpertisedirectlyimpactspatient outcomes across the system.

Why UVA Health

UVA Health provides an exceptional environment for infection prevention professionals seeking meaningful work, professional growth, anda strong senseof purpose within an academic medical center.

You will join a highly specialized, system-focused team responsible for infection prevention across all care settings, working alongside epidemiologists, physicians, and experienced infection preventionists.

• Collaborative, Mentorship-Driven Culture

• Work within a close-knit, supportive team that emphasizes collaboration, coaching, and continuous development

• Strong onboarding and peer support structure designed to help you succeed and grow

• Innovative and Engaging Approach to Infection Prevention

• Participate in creative programs that bring infection prevention to life through interactive education and engagement initiatives

• Blend of evidence-based practice with innovative strategies to influence frontline teams

• Specialization and Career Growth

• Opportunity to move beyond a generalist role and buildexpertisein ambulatory care, procedural environments, and construction-related infection prevention

• Support to obtain CIC certification within two years of hire , with pathways for continued advancement

• System-Wide Impact and Visibility

• Play a direct role in shaping infection prevention strategy across UVA Health

• Work on high-visibility initiatives including hospital-acquired infection reduction, sterilization programs, and environmental safety efforts

• Academic Medical Center Excellence

• Practice within a complex, multidisciplinary academic health system with access to leading-edge clinical practices and collaboration

• Engage with diverse teams across inpatient, outpatient, and procedural settings

• Work-Life Balance

• Predictable weekday schedule that supports professional sustainability and personal balance

Relocationassistancemay be available for qualified candidates.

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville

Charlottesville offers a lifestyle that balances professionalopportunitywith personal fulfillment. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area provides easy access to hiking, outdoor recreation, and scenic views, while also offering a vibrant cultural scene with locally renowned restaurants, wineries, music, and arts. With a welcoming community, excellent schools, and a pace of life that supports both career growth and time outside of work, Charlottesville is an ideal place for healthcare professionals to build a meaningful career and a great life.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Experience: 2 years of Infection Prevention experience

Education: One of the following programs required depending on specialty:

Graduate of an accredited nursing program, Bachelor's of Sciences in Nursing preferred,

Medical tech program (MT - ASCP); OR

Masters in Public Health (MPH).

Required:

Clinical experience in critical care, emergency or perioperative fields

*Completion of a hospital infection control course, e.g., APIC or SHEA fundamentals course

*Competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint (create, edit and present PowerPoint slideshows), enter, manipulate and extract database information, and basic descriptive statistics e.g., Chi square, frequency analysis

Licensure: One of the following options depending on specialty: RN: Licensed to Practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia, MT (ASCP), MPH or healthcare related Bachelor's degree: None required.

Certifications Required: BLS certification (if working with patients). Must successfully obtain Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology within two years of hire.

Recommended

National and local APIC membership

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily sedentary in nature, but does require frequent walking throughout UVA Health. The job involves extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and clinic rounds.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off, Long-term and Short-term Disability, Retirement Savings

• Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts

• Certification and education support

• Generous Paid Time Off

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as "High Performing" in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children's is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .