Associate Vice President, Perioperative Services

Howard University Hospital  |  Washington, DC

Role Summary

As the Associate Vice President (AVP) of Perioperative Services at Howard University Hospital, you will serve as the senior operational and clinical executive accountable for the strategic direction, clinical performance, and financial stewardship of the full perioperative service line — encompassing the Operating Rooms, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Pre-Admission Testing (PAT), Endoscopy, and Sterile Processing and Distribution (SPD). Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will translate organizational strategy into measurable operational outcomes, driving quality, safety, patient experience, and growth across one of the hospital’s highest-acuity, highest-volume service lines.

You will lead and develop a team of directors, managers, and clinical staff, cultivate strong physician and anesthesia partnerships, and serve as the executive voice of perioperative services within the broader hospital leadership structure. If you are a proven perioperative leader with a strategic vision, a passion for clinical excellence, and a commitment to advancing equitable, patient-centered surgical care, this is your opportunity to shape the future of one of the nation’s most storied academic medical centers.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership & Service Line Development

• Establish and execute the strategic vision for perioperative services in alignment with HUH’s organizational goals and the evolving surgical and procedural landscape
• Lead service line growth initiatives including OR capacity planning, block scheduling optimization, case volume analysis, and expansion of surgical subspecialties
• Partner with the Chief Medical Officer, Chief of Surgery, Anesthesiology leadership, and surgical department chairs to advance coordinated, high-quality perioperative care delivery
• Represent perioperative services at the executive leadership level; participate in hospital-wide strategic planning, capital planning, and facility development initiatives
• Lead business planning and program development efforts, including new service development, technology acquisition, and service line integration across the perioperative continuum

Clinical Operations & Performance

• Oversee day-to-day and long-range operational performance across all perioperative departments, including OR, PACU, PAT, Endoscopy, and SPD
• Drive operational efficiency through OR utilization analysis, on-time first-case starts, turnover time reduction, and case scheduling optimization
• Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality, safety, throughput, patient satisfaction, staff engagement, and financial performance
• Direct and sustain a culture of high reliability and patient safety; lead serious event review, root cause analysis, and system-level corrective action within the service line
• Ensure departmental readiness and compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation standards including The Joint Commission, CMS, AORN, AAMI, and DC Department of Health

Financial Stewardship

• Develop, manage, and monitor the perioperative service line operating and capital budgets; analyze variances and implement strategies to achieve cost, revenue, and margin targets
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce supply chain costs, improve preference card management, and optimize instrument and equipment utilization
• Collaborate with finance, supply chain, and value analysis teams to support cost-effective, evidence-based product and technology decisions
• Monitor surgeon and proceduralist productivity, block utilization, and case mix trends; present data-driven recommendations to senior leadership

People Leadership & Workforce Development

• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain a high-performing team of directors and managers across all perioperative departments; foster a culture of accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement
• Oversee workforce planning, staffing model design, and talent pipeline development for nursing and non-nursing perioperative staff
• Champion staff engagement, resilience, and well-being initiatives; serve as a visible, accessible, and inspiring leader throughout the perioperative environment
• Manage human resources processes including performance evaluations, corrective action, compensation review, and succession planning in collaboration with HR and operations leadership
• Support academic and professional development opportunities aligned with HUH’s mission as a teaching hospital, including preceptorship, simulation, and continuing education programs

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead and sustain evidence-based quality improvement programs within perioperative services, including surgical site infection prevention, NSQIP participation, and ERAS protocol implementation
• Ensure ongoing compliance with infection prevention standards, sterile processing guidelines (AAMI ST series), fire safety, and medication management protocols across the perioperative environment
• Serve as the executive sponsor for perioperative accreditation readiness activities; ensure survey-ready status at all times
• Collaborate with Quality, Risk Management, and Infection Prevention teams to address trends, near misses, and adverse events with urgency and rigor

Compliance & Institutional Expectations

• Promote adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, Howard University Code of Ethics, Health Sciences Standards of Conduct, and HIPAA
• Attend all mandatory compliance training including HIPAA Privacy training; actively participate in compliance program activities
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patients, families, and staff
• Assume other duties and responsibilities related and appropriate to the position and area

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), or a related field required
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the District of Columbia (or eligibility for licensure) required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications through the American Heart Association required
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive nursing and/or healthcare operations experience, including at least five (5) years in perioperative services leadership at the director level or above
• Demonstrated experience with OR operations management, surgical scheduling, block utilization, and perioperative throughput improvement
• Proven financial management experience including budget development, variance analysis, and operational cost improvement
• Strong knowledge of perioperative regulatory standards including The Joint Commission, CMS Conditions of Participation, AORN, AAMI, and DC Department of Health requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) or Certified Perioperative Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) certification
• Doctoral degree (DNP or PhD) in Nursing or Healthcare Administration
• Experience in an academic medical center or Level 1 Trauma Center environment
• Experience with NSQIP, ERAS protocols, and evidence-based perioperative quality programs
• Familiarity with surgical robotics programs (e.g., da Vinci) and advanced surgical technology integration
• Experience with enterprise clinical information systems and OR management software (e.g., Epic, Surgical Information Systems)

About Howard University Hospital

Howard University Hospital (HUH) is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. With a legacy dating back to 1862 — when it operated as Freedmen’s Hospital, providing care and refuge to those who had been denied it elsewhere — HUH has grown into one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and is a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center. Today, HUH continues its proud tradition of delivering exemplary, patient-centered, and culturally responsive care to the community, while providing exceptional learning and professional development opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children — up to two (2) courses per semester
• A mission-driven environment rooted in over 150 years of excellence, service, and advocacy for the communities we serve

Position Details

Pay & Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary range: $225,000 – $240,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability, learning, and patient safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department at HUHLA@huhosp.org.

Pay Transparency: Salary ranges listed in job postings reflect the expected compensation range for the position and are provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Final compensation is determined based on experience, education, internal equity, and other relevant factors.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.