Enhance your career as an Infection Prevention & Control Nurse

Infection Prevention and Control Nurse (IPCN)

Infection Control Nurses, sometimes-called infection prevention nurses, help to prevent patient and health care associated infections in hospitals and clinics. They guide and teach the health care professionals on the importance of following infection control practices. Infection control nurses are an important part of the health care setting as they specialize in recognizing, isolating, and preventing healthcare-associated infections that impact patient outcomes and the safety of healthcare professionals.

According to the International Federation of Infection Control, an Infection Control Nurse (ICN) or Practitioner is generally a registered nurse possessing the academic education and practical training, allowing him or her to work as a specialist in every aspect related to Infection prevention and control. An ICN is an integral part of health care setting, they play an important role in the prevention of healthcare associated infections and there by improve the well being of  patients and health care professionals.

Job Description/ Role of Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

• Identify infectious disease processes
• Epidemiological and surveillance investigations
• Control and prevention of transmission of infectious agents
• Review or assessment of occupational and employee health
• Leadership (communication and management)
• Research and education

Responsibilities may include 

1. Assists when developing and implementing procedures and policies on infection control
2. Creates tools and monitor hazardous procedures and practices
3. Participate in documentation related to quality standard and service specifications.
4. Gathering, analyzing, and presenting infection data, facts, and trends
5. Providing training and education, 
6. Working on infection risk assessment and reinforcing the implementation of infection control practices

 Career Settings for Infection Control Nurse

• Hospitals
• Home Care
• Ambulatory Care
• Hospices
• Public Health
• Behavioral Health

Infection Control Training Courses in India

Infection control certification programme in India aim at developing specialized nurses in the field, equipped with adequate knowledge and skill needed for the maintenance of a safe hospital environment and health care delivery practices. The Training Program emphasizes on both theoretical and practical aspects. 

AHPI Institute of Healthcare Quality (AHPI- Association of Health Care Providers India)

Program Content

• Basic Microbiology and Epidemiology of Organisms

• IPCT and IPCC Roles

• Specimen Collection and Transport for Microbiological Investigation

• Isolation Precautions, Surveillance- CAUTI, CLABSI

• Disinfection, Sterilization and Environmental Cleaning

• Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) and its transmission

• Drug Resistance

• Indwelling Devise Care

• Injection & Infusion Safety

• Bio-Medical Waste Management

• Spillage Management, HAI–Surveillance and Outbreak

• Role of IPCN

Infection Control Nurse Certication

The program begins with intensive 3-days contact sessions and is followed by TEST of understanding of the participants. They are thereafter given 6 weeks eld assignments, which they carry out at their respective work place. Participants at the end of eld assignment are examined through Viva and successful participants are declared as ‘Certied Infection Prevention Control Nurse’

Infection Control Nurse Certification Course : Amrita, Kochi

Infection control certification programme (ICCP) is a distance education programme delivered over a period of 8 weeks with 6 days mandatory contact sessions. There shall be an examination at the end of the course and the final evaluation is based on the completed log book,written exam and viva voice. Contact classes arearranged in two sessions of 3 days each.

Eligibility for Admission

1. Candidate should have B.Sc Nursing Degree / General Nursing and Midwifery / Post Basic B.Sc

nursing.

2. Should be registered in any of the nursing council in India. Should be currently working in any of

the Institutions  in or outside Kerala

The Sankara Nethralaya Academy (Unit of Medical Research Foundation) Chennai – 95

Offers a Certificate Program on Hospital infection Control.The program is conducted as distance learning with a compulsory 3 days contact classes. Duration of the program is 6 months. The participants who fail to take up entire contact classes and/or evaluation process will not be certified.

Study Abroad- Infection Prevention and Control Nursing

RN to ICN

Step 1. Obtain your Nursing Diploma, whether it is an Associate degree (ASN) or Bachelor’s degree

Step 2. Get the NCLEX-RN license.

Step 3. Do a Course in Infection Prevention & Control

Step 4. Pass the infection control certification exam, which is given by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.

Step 5. Once you passed the certification examination you can become a certified infection control nurse.

The Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology,U.S

APIC developed ‘Education for Prevention of Infection (EPI)’ course for both new and experienced healthcare professionals. This course aims excellence and knowledge of infection prevention and control, promoting infection surveillance, compliance to federal and state regulations.

Infection Control Courses Online 

1. American Sentinel University
2. IPAC Canada Sponsored Online Novice IPAC Course
3. University of Essex- M.Sc, Post Graduate Diploma and Post Graduate Certificate Courses- Online
4. University of the Highlands and Islands  U.K- M.Sc in Infection control and Prevention
5. University of Dundee- M.Sc, Top up B.Sc, Top up B.Sc - Distance
6. Swansea University
7. The university of Adelaide- Graduate Certificate in Nursing Science (Infection Control Nursing)
8. Layola University, Chicago- Online Certificate Program and MSN in Infection Prevention
9. Oxford Brooks University

CBIC (The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology)

Purpose

1. Providing standardized measurement of current basic knowledge needed for persons practicing infection prevention and control.
2. Encouraging individual growth and study, thereby promoting professionalism among infection prevention and control professionals.
3. Formally recognizing infection prevention and control professionals who fulfill the requirements for certification.

Eligibility Requirements for Initial Certification 

• Should have a post-secondary degree (associates or baccalaureate degree) from an accredited academic facility.
• You should be accountable for the infection prevention and control activities/program in your settings and should be reflected in your current job description.
• At least  two years experience in infection prevention and control setting.

Those who meet the eligibility requirements can sit for CBT, and if you pass the computer-based certification examination, you will get the initial certification. Certification in infection prevention and control is valid for five years from the year of successful examination.

Successful certification indicates competence in the actual practice of infection prevention and control and healthcare epidemiology, and is intended for individuals who are actively accountable for the infection prevention and control program within their current position.

Average Salary for an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

The amount of money an infection control nurse makes is quite high when compared to the salary of a registered nurse. Expected average income is $70,000- 80,000 a year. This specialty is one of the highly paid positions within the nursing field. Career opportunities are on higher side, as infection control practices are given higher importance in healthcare and community settings.