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Infection Control Nurse
- Updated August 8, 2023
- by EveryNurse Staff
In today’s world, the importance of infection control has become more evident than ever before. With the rise of infectious diseases and the ongoing battle against highly contagious viruses like COVID-19, the role of infection control nurses has become crucial in protecting public health. If you’re passionate about preventing the spread of diseases and ensuring the safety of patients and healthcare professionals, a career as an infection control nurse might be the perfect fit for you. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about becoming an infection control nurse, including the educational requirements, job responsibilities, salary prospects, and more.
What Is an Infection Control Nurse?
Infection control nurses play a critical role in maintaining the safety and well-being of patients, healthcare workers, and the community at large. Their primary responsibilities include preventing and controlling the spread of infections, educating healthcare personnel and the public on infection prevention practices, analyzing infection data to inform evidence-based decisions, developing and enforcing infection prevention protocols, and collaborating with various stakeholders to develop and implement infection control strategies.
What Does an Infection Control Nurse Do?
The responsibilities of an infection control nurse are diverse and multifaceted. Some of the key responsibilities include:
Gathering and Analyzing Infection Data
Infection control nurses are responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to infections in healthcare settings. They monitor infection rates, identify trends, and use this information to make evidence-based decisions on infection prevention and control strategies.
Educating Healthcare Professionals and the Public
One of the primary roles of an infection control nurse is to educate healthcare personnel and the public on infection prevention protocols. They provide training on proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and other preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection transmission.
Implementing Infection Control Measures
Infection control nurses work closely with healthcare teams to implement infection control measures and ensure compliance with guidelines and protocols. They oversee the proper use of PPE, the cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces, and the implementation of isolation precautions when necessary.
Investigating and Managing Outbreaks
In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, infection control nurses play a crucial role in investigating the cause, managing the outbreak, and implementing control measures to prevent further spread. They collaborate with public health agencies and other stakeholders to coordinate response efforts and minimize the impact of the outbreak.
Collaborating with Government Agencies and Healthcare Organizations
Infection control nurses collaborate with government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and healthcare organizations to ensure that infection control practices are implemented and enforced. They stay updated on the latest guidelines and recommendations and ensure that they are integrated into practice.
Contributing to Research and Development
Infection control nurses may participate in research studies and contribute to the development of new treatments, vaccines, and infection prevention strategies. They stay informed about emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, and other trends in infection control to continuously improve practices and outcomes.
Work Settings for Infection Control Nurses
Infection control nurses can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals: Infection control nurses are integral to maintaining a safe environment for patients and healthcare workers in hospitals. They monitor infection rates, implement preventive measures, and respond to outbreaks.
- Long-term care facilities: Infection control is crucial in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living centers. Infection control nurses work to prevent the spread of infections among residents and staff.
- Home Care: Infection control nurses may provide infection prevention education and support to patients receiving care at home. They ensure that proper hygiene practices are followed and that infection risks are minimized.
- Ambulatory Care: Infection control nurses in ambulatory care settings, such as outpatient clinics and surgical centers, focus on preventing healthcare-associated infections and ensuring patient safety.
- Hospices: Infection control nurses in hospice settings work to maintain a clean and safe environment for patients receiving end-of-life care. They implement infection control measures to minimize the risk of infections.
- Emergency Preparedness: Infection control nurses play a crucial role in emergency preparedness, developing plans and protocols to respond to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.
- Public Health: Infection control nurses may work in public health departments, collaborating with epidemiologists and other professionals to monitor and control the spread of infectious diseases in the community.
- Behavioral Health: Infection control nurses in behavioral health settings focus on preventing the spread of infections among individuals receiving mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Educational Requirements for Infection Control Nurses
To embark on a career as an infection control nurse, you must first obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. While an associate degree or nursing diploma may be the minimum requirement for nursing licensure, many employers now prefer candidates with a BSN due to the advanced knowledge and skills acquired through this program. A BSN typically takes four years to complete and includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and nursing practice.
Steps to Become an Infection Control Nurse
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an infection control nurse, here are the steps you can follow:
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree: Complete a four-year nursing program to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills for a nursing career.
- Obtain your nursing license: Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse (RN).
- Gain experience in nursing: Work as a registered nurse to develop a solid foundation of clinical skills and knowledge. Seek out specialized training in infection transmission and prevention, including coursework in epidemiology.
- Pursue continuing education in infection control: Take courses or attend workshops focused on infection control to deepen your understanding of the field.
- Meet the eligibility requirements for the CIC exam: Gain a minimum of two years of experience in infection control and ensure you meet the educational requirements set by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).
- Pass the CIC exam: Prepare for and successfully pass the CIC exam to obtain certification as an infection control nurse.
- Maintain your certification: Engage in continuing education activities and meet the recertification requirements to maintain your CIC certification.
Infection Control Nurse Salary
The demand for infection control nurses is expected to grow in the coming years, given the increasing focus on preventing healthcare-associated infections and the need for preparedness in the face of infectious disease outbreaks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is projected to be a 6% increase in demand for registered nurses, including infection control nurses, over the next decade. In terms of salary, infection control nurses can earn an average annual salary of $87,739 or $42 per hour, with variations depending on factors such as experience, skill level, location, and employer.
Additional Resources
- Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
- Infection Control Today
- American Infection Control Journal
- American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT)
- The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)
- American Society For Microbiology (ASM)
- The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Infection Control Nurse FAQ
The average salary for an infection control nurse in the U.S. is $87,739 per year or $42 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. Factors that impact salary include geographic location, years of experience, and the type of employer.
Many infection control nurses cite solid pay and high job satisfaction as they are often relied on to provide guidance to maintaining an environment that prevents the spread of infections diseases. There are challenges, especially when others do not adhere to safety protocols.
Many employers either prefer or require CIC certification. The baseline requirements are a post-secondary education (RN, LPN/LVN, DPN), and relevant work experience which includes one year of full-time employment and 3,000 hours of invention prevention work experience. From there you submit your application, successfully complete the exam and you will receive your certification which is valid for five years.
There are five categories of infection they include: Environmental, Staff/patient, Surgical/medical procedures, Communicable disease control, and Decontamination.
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