Infection Control Practitioner

Infection control practitioners (ICPs) are experts in the prevention and control of healthcare associated infection. They lead the planning, development, implementation, coordination and evaluation of system wide improvements in infection prevention and control. They serve as a role model to promote the goals of the Infection Prevention and Control program within the larger context of the vision and mission of AHS. An ICP facilitates change through interpretation and application of standards, and provides best practice recommendations across the spectrum of the organization with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and preventing health-care associated infections (HAIs). Infection control practitioners are responsible for consultation to all stakeholders, surveillance, education, risk management and research.

ICPs work at hospitals, health centers, clinics and other healthcare facilities. They work with a variety of other health care staff, including other technologists, therapists, physicians and nurses in order to provide patients with the best care. Although they often work alone with patients, an infection control practitioner is part of an inter-professional team that includes inpatient staff, cancer care and allied health professionals.

Average Hourly

$46.10

Range Hourly

$24.21 – $57.22

Average Yearly

$89,885

Range Yearly

$47,206 – $111,570

NOC Code

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (3012)

Alias Job Titles

Infection control co-ordinator - hospital

Infection control nurse

Infection control officer - hospital

Infection control officer - medical

Infection surveillance nurse

Qualifications Required

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or any other health related field/Epidemiologist
May require licensure with an applicable regulatory body such as CARNA (nursing), CMLTA (lab tech) or CPSA (physicians)
Requires CIC Board certification on the job

Salary Range

Average hourly	Range hourly	Average yearly	Range yearly
$46.10	$24.21 - $57.22	$89,885	$47,206 - $111,570

Job Demand

Emerging occupation. Very little information available.

Employment outlook is Good to Fair in most provinces. More information is available here.

Growth Opportunity

As this is an emerging occupation very little information is available about the career growth for this job.

Years' Experience Required

0-5 years of experience, depending on the organization

Training Options (if available)

Certification from a certified infection control program such as IPAC Canada sponsored online novice courses, Centennial College (Toronto), Michener Institute (Toronto), Queens University (Kingston), University of British Columbia etc.

Personal Qualities

Excellent communication skills; excellent multitasking skills; exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently

Notes/Other Information

Licensure with a regulatory body is ultimately needed. Certification exams to be taken with the certified infection control board. This can only be done while on the job and playing certain roles on the job.

Full-time/Part-time/casual basis. This is an emerging occupation.

Shift schedules are generally days, Monday to Friday, and may include some weekend and on-call duty.

Steps towards capacity building to become competitive for this job

Most likely way may need to be trained as RN or become an epidemiologist and then obtain the CIC certification to be competitive for such position. However, according to CBIC if graduates of other health fields are accountable for infection preventing and control activities/program in their current job settings they can be eligible for CIC certification. If a CIC certification can be obtained, then an IMG can be competitive to apply to such position. Meanwhile, taking IPAC courses can be helpful to strengthen their application and finding a job in the infection prevention and control field.

References

i. Alberta Learning Information Service

ii. Job Bank Canada

iii. National Occupation Classification ESDC

iv. Neuvoo

v. Indeed