How to Be Infection Control/Prevention Nurse - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 20, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of the Infection Control/Prevention Nurse is to promote health and prevent the spread of infection within a health care setting. This is achieved by implementing protocols and guidelines, monitoring Infection Control/Prevention practices, and providing education to patients and staff. As a result, this helps to reduce risks of infection, improve patient safety, reduce costs associated with infections, and ultimately improve the quality of care provided. Factors such as hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and timely completion of required tests and treatments all play a key role in reducing the risk of infection and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Nursing Degree. The first step to becoming an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse is to obtain a nursing degree. This can be done through an associates degree, bachelors degree, or masters degree in nursing.
Acquire Licensure. All nurses must be licensed to practice. This is done by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Complete an Infection Control/Prevention Specialty Program. After obtaining a nursing degree and licensure, a nurse can specialize in infection control/prevention by completing an infection control/prevention specialty program. This program is available through many accredited universities and colleges.
Obtain Certification. After completing the specialty program, the nurse will need to obtain certification as an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse. This certification is offered through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).
Obtain Experience. Finally, the nurse must obtain experience in infection control/prevention through working in the field. This may include working in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other clinical setting.

The lack of infection control and prevention in healthcare facilities can lead to a rapid spread of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is essential to have reliable and efficient infection control and prevention nurses in order to ensure the safety of patients and staff. These nurses can help prevent the spread of infections by educating staff on proper hygiene and sterilization procedures, monitoring the use of antibiotics, and implementing isolation protocols.

They can also provide valuable resources to help healthcare professionals identify and respond to potential infections quickly and effectively. By providing these services, infection control and prevention nurses can reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases and help promote a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

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Job Description

Develop and implement infection control policies and procedures.
Monitor and analyze infection control data and trends.
Evaluate infection control programs and recommend changes as needed.
Coordinate educational activities related to infection control and prevention.
Develop and maintain surveillance systems for disease outbreaks and nosocomial infections.
Investigate and report suspected outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Monitor hand hygiene compliance in healthcare settings.
Inspect healthcare facilities for compliance with infection control standards.
Develop infection control protocols for use in specific healthcare settings.
Advise healthcare workers on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Educate healthcare staff on proper disinfection, sterilization, and decontamination techniques.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure effective infection control practices.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of infection control principles and practices
Knowledge of sterilization and disinfection techniques
Ability to provide training and instruction on infection control policies and procedures
Ability to develop and implement infection control protocols and procedures
Knowledge of epidemiological principles, surveillance methods, and outbreak investigation techniques
Knowledge of the chain of infection
Knowledge of the sources and transmission routes of infectious agents
Knowledge of medical asepsis techniques
Knowledge of standard precautions
Ability to monitor, analyze, and report infection control data
Ability to identify potential risks and take corrective action
Ability to utilize technology and software for infection control purposes
Ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality

Infection control/prevention nurses play an essential role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The most important skill they must possess is the ability to identify risks and develop effective strategies to prevent the spread of infection. This requires the nurse to be knowledgeable in areas such as infectious disease control, laboratory testing, and healthcare policies.

they must possess strong communication and problem-solving skills in order to effectively collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that protocols are followed and that the best interests of patients are upheld. Infection control/prevention nurses must also be able to recognize signs and symptoms of infection in order to diagnose, treat, and prevent further spread. By possessing these skills and working with other healthcare professionals, infection control/prevention nurses can help protect patients and their families from the potentially devastating effects of infectious diseases.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in infection control and prevention?
How do you stay up to date with the latest infection control and prevention guidelines?
What strategies do you use to ensure infection control and prevention compliance?
How do you educate staff on infection control and prevention protocols?
What measures do you take to prevent the spread of infection?
What methods do you use to track trends in infections?
Describe a time when you identified an ongoing infection outbreak and how you addressed it.
How do you prioritize your work when it comes to infection control and prevention?
How do you handle situations where there is a lack of compliance with infection control protocols?
How do you use data analytics to inform your decisions on infection control and prevention?

Common Tools in Industry

Hand Hygiene. Cleaning hands with soap, water, or alcohol-based sanitizer to prevent the spread of infectious organisms. (eg: Using hand sanitizer before and after patient contact)
Protective Wear. Wearing protective garments such as masks, gowns, and gloves in order to minimize exposure to infectious agents. (eg: Wearing a gown and gloves before entering a room with a patient with a contagious infection)
Isolation Precautions. Taking extra steps to reduce the risk of disease transmission, such as keeping sick patients in a designated area and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. (eg: Moving a patient with tuberculosis to a private room away from other patients)
Disinfection/Sterilization. Cleaning and decontaminating surfaces and medical instruments with boiling water, chemicals, or sterilization equipment in order to prevent infections. (eg: Autoclaving surgical instruments)
Patient Education. Educating patients and their families about infection control practices, such as hand washing and the importance of covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing. (eg: Demonstrating proper handwashing technique to a patient)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
Society of Infection Prevention and Control Professionals (SIPCP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)
International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS)
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
Association for Professionals in Services for the Aging (APSA)
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)

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Common Important Terms

Antibiotic Resistance. The ability of bacteria or other microorganisms to resist the effects of an antibiotic.
Handwashing. The practice of washing one's hands with soap and water, especially to prevent the spread of infection.
Standard Precautions. The practice of taking steps to prevent the spread of infections by using personal protective equipment and following proper handwashing techniques.
Isolation Precautions. The practice of taking steps to prevent the spread of infections by using personal protective equipment and following proper handwashing techniques in an isolated area.
Disinfection. The process of using chemical or physical means to kill or inactivate microorganisms.
Sterilization. The process of destroying all forms of microbial life, either by physical or chemical means.
Contact Precautions. The practice of taking steps to prevent the spread of infections by avoiding contact with potentially infected individuals or objects.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Equipment worn by healthcare workers to protect themselves from infectious disease transmission. Examples include gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles.
Outbreak Management. The practice of responding to an outbreak of a contagious disease in order to contain it and reduce its spread.
Environmental Cleaning. The practice of cleaning surfaces and objects in order to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the role of an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse? A1: An Infection Control/Prevention Nurse is responsible for monitoring, identifying, and preventing the spread of infectious diseases in a healthcare setting. They develop and implement policies, procedures and protocols to reduce the risk of infection transmission, and provide education and training to staff and patients. Q2: What qualifications are needed to become an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse? A2: To become an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse, individuals must have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in nursing, and must be registered with the appropriate state board of nursing. Additionally, they should have experience in infectious disease management and prevention, as well as knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations. Q3: What types of tasks are performed by an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse? A3: The tasks performed by an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse include conducting assessments to identify infection risks, developing and implementing infection control plans, monitoring infectious disease outbreaks, analyzing data to identify trends in infection rates, providing education and training on infection control practices, and auditing adherence to infection control policies and procedures. Q4: How often are Infection Control/Prevention Nurses required to update their knowledge? A4: Infection Control/Prevention Nurses are required to stay up-to-date with current best practices in the field, and should attend continuing education courses or seminars on a regular basis to maintain their certification and competence. Q5: What is the average salary of an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse? A5: According to Payscale.com, the average salary of an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse is $68,912 per year.

Web Resources

What is the Role of an Infection Control Nurse? www.usa.edu
What Is an Infection Control Nurse? Salary and Career Outlook online.maryville.edu
The Importance of Infection Control Protocols for Nursing onlinenursing.hbu.edu