What Is the Function of an Infection Control Nurse?
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While all nurses are educated to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, infection control nurses focus only on the prevention of infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. Due to the unique nature of germs, infection control nurses work carefully to avoid harmful outbreaks in a hospital setting. All medical staff are educated to follow standard precautions, which include proper hand cleanliness, the use of personal protective equipment, and appropriate isolation precautions for the patient being cared for. Nonetheless, such safeguards do not exclude the potential of infectious pathogens spreading altogether. It is an infection control nurse’s responsibility to perform and teach others on how to prevent and limit outbreaks, as well as how to avoid future instances.
How Do I Become an Infection Control Nurse?
After earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), one can pursue a career in infection control after gaining nursing experience.
What Education Do Infection Control Nurses Need?
A Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is required to work as an infection control nurse. While a nursing diploma or associate’s degree in nursing has traditionally been the minimal qualification, many employers prefer graduate nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. A BSN degree is normally completed in four years at a university or college.
Is it necessary to obtain any certifications or credentials?
After earning the appropriate nursing degree and gaining a few years of experience, the nurse will be eligible to sit for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology’s certification exam (APIC).
What Types of Jobs Do Infection Control Nurses Have?
An infection control nurse’s expertise is required in the following healthcare settings:
- Hospitals Facilities for long-term care
- Hospices Home Care Ambulatory Care
- Preparedness for Emergencies
- Behavioral Health Public Health
What Is the Role of an Infection Control Nurse?
A nurse who specializes in infection control is responsible for identifying, preventing, and containing infectious outbreaks in a healthcare setting. Even in a sterile and sanitary setting, an infection can rapidly spread, resulting in patient illness and death. To avoid the transmission of this infection across a vast area, an infection control nurse’s role is to restrict these agents within a hospital community while also preventing such infections on a bigger scale.
What Are the Infection Control Nurse’s Responsibilities and Responsibilities?
With advanced skills and expertise, an infection control nurse’s responsibilities include the following:
- Collecting and evaluating infection data, facts, and trends in order to communicate them to other healthcare staff.
- Providing preventative training and information to other medical professionals and civilians.
- Develop strategies to keep patients from spreading disease within the hospital or other patient care facility.
- Frequently assumes the role of coordinator or leader of an infection prevention and control (IPC) program.
- Reiterating the importance of infection control methods as outlined in the CDC’s guidelines (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
- Reducing infection rates within a facility.
- Identifying the source of a particular virus by examining its makeup and composition.
- Collaborating with scientists and physicians to discover therapies for further infectious diseases.
Salary and Employment for Infection Control Nurses
Annual salaries for infection control nurses range between $77,403 and $92,923. The typical annual pay for an RN specializing in infection control is $84,794. As salaries can vary significantly based on a variety of circumstances, it is critical to consider the type of employer, years of experience, and state when comparing salaries.
Nurses-to-be should be familiar with adequate chemical disinfection and sterilization procedures. As an infection control nurse, a large part of one’s duty is to lecture and educate patients and hospital staff, one should be comfortable speaking in public and giving instructions. Because an infection control nurse who is effective is a valuable addition to a healthcare organization, these nurses can find work in hospitals and health care facilities.
