About this opportunity
Virginia Jobs lists this Infection Preventionist opportunity in charlottesville, Virginia. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
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 by identifying risk, 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 deep expertise in ambulatory and procedural infection prevention, 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, requiring strong communication , relationship-building, and the ability to influence diverse clinical stakeholders.
In an average day, you will:
Continuously monitor and 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 determine appropriate isolation protocols
Ensure alignment with regulatory standards and evidence -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
Identify gaps 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 clinics utilizing 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
Ensure appropriate infection prevention 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 your expertise directly impacts patient outcomes across the system.
Why UVA Health
UVA Health provides an exceptional environment for infection prevention professionals seeking meaningful work, professional growth, and a strong sense of 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 build expertise in 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
Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
Why People Love Living in Charlottesville
Charlottesville offers a lifestyle that balances professional opportunity with 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.
The pay range for this role is $36.73 - $58.77 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.
Job Profile
J2062 - Infection Control Clinical Professional 2
Career Stream and Level
Clinical Professional-C2
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 .
Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer
Worksite address
charlottesville, VA, 22904, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.