Provides operational leadership and day-to-day management of the hospital-wide Infection Prevention program across the University of Maryland Medical Center's Downtown and Midtown campuses, including inpatient, ambulatory, physician practice, post-acute, and other affiliated clinical care settings. Oversees Infection Preventionists and infection prevention activities designed to reduce healthcare-associated infections, promote patient safety, and ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Coordinates infection surveillance, outbreak investigations, regulatory reporting, staff education, and operational improvement initiatives in collaboration with the Director of Infection Prevention and Medical Director of Infection Prevention. Subject matter expert and resource for infection prevention practices while supporting organizational harm reduction strategies and regulatory readiness. Primary Responsibilities The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.
Manage the daily operations of the Infection Prevention program across the Downtown and Midtown campuses, including inpatient, ambulatory, physician practice, post-acute, and other affiliated clinical care settings. Supervise, coach, mentor, develop, and evaluate Infection Prevention staff, including responsibility for recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, competency assessment, performance management, and professional development.
Coordinate infection surveillance activities and ensure accurate identification, investigation, documentation, and reporting of healthcare-associated infections in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network requirements and regulatory standards. Lead outbreak investigations, communicable disease response activities, exposure investigations, and emerging infectious disease preparedness efforts in collaboration with clinical, operational, and public health partners.
Analyze infection prevention surveillance data, identify trends and opportunities for improvement, and communicate findings to leadership, committees, and frontline staff to support harm reduction initiatives. Partner with nursing, physicians, advanced practice providers, environmental services, facilities, ambulatory practices, physician practices, post-acute care settings, and operational leaders to implement evidence-based infection prevention practices across the continuum of care.
Coordinate regulatory reporting requirements and support organizational compliance with standards established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The Joint Commission, Maryland Department of Health, and other regulatory agencies. Support environmental infection prevention activities, including construction and renovation risk assessments, water management, sterilization and high-level disinfection practices, and environmental cleaning initiatives.
Develop, coordinate, and deliver infection prevention education and competency programs for staff, providers, learners, and leaders to promote evidence-based practice and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with the Director of Infection Prevention to implement departmental goals, operational priorities, policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives while serving as the operational lead for the Infection Prevention program.
Represent Infection Prevention on organizational committees, multidisciplinary workgroups, and quality and safety initiatives as assigned. Assume operational leadership responsibilities in the absence of the Director of Infection Prevention. Perform all other duties as assigned.
Work Experience Education & Experience - Required Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Public Health, Epidemiology, Microbiology, or another related healthcare field. Current Maryland licensure applicable to discipline (e.g., Registered Nurse or Medical Technologist). Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC), or eligibility to obtain certification within two years of hire.
Minimum of four years of progressively responsible infection prevention experience in an acute care healthcare setting. Minimum of two years of leadership, supervisory, project management, or team lead experience Education & Experience - Preferred Master's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, Healthcare Administration, Microbiology, or another related healthcare field Healthcare administrator or registered nurse, advanced practice nurse, or other allied health-related professional Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Advanced knowledge of infection prevention and control principles, healthcare epidemiology, microbiology, communicable diseases, and healthcare-associated infection surveillance methodologies.
Knowledge of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network surveillance definitions, reporting requirements, and benchmarking methodologies. Knowledge of federal, state, and accreditation standards governing infection prevention and control. Demonstrated ability to investigate outbreaks, conduct epidemiologic analyses, and implement evidence-based mitigation strategies.
Strong leadership, coaching, team development, and conflict resolution skills. Ability to analyze surveillance, clinical, and operational data and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Strong organizational, project management, and change management skills.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills. Ability to build collaborative relationships with physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, executives, public health agencies, and interdisciplinary teams. Proficiency with infection surveillance systems, electronic health records, Microsoft Office applications, and data analytics tools.
Demonstrated commitment to patient safety, regulatory compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and function effectively during outbreaks, regulatory surveys, and other high-priority organizational events.
days shift