What Is An Infection Control Specialist? How to Be One?

Due to the modern lifestyle, humans are regularly exposed to many harmful bacteria and germs. This leads to several infections and makes it difficult for the human body to cope. 

It is estimated that every year around 7.7 million people die from infections that are caused due to bacteria. 

So, the work of an infection control specialist is to analyze the instances that can cause the spread of an infection and how to stop them.

1. Who Is An Infection Control Specialist?

To understand the job of an infection control specialist properly, you need to study the job role and responsibilities in detail. So, let’s take a deeper look at it here.

a. Job Profile

An infection control specialist’s job is to ensure they can control the spread and the formation of deadly infections.

They have the expertise and knowledge to identify such infections. Moreover, they use effective measures to prevent and control them.

The primary goal of the specialist is to curb the outbreak of any such infection if it has not already started spreading.

b. Duties

The duties of an infection control specialist include coordinating with public health officers and explaining the measures to stop the spread.

They will also have a say in health regulation policies since this can directly or indirectly lead to an infectious outbreak.

An infection control specialist is required more in high-risk zones as they are more prone to infectious outbreaks.

c. Area of Work

An infection control specialist works closely with healthcare professionals and patients. They implement health regulation policies and monitor whether they are being implemented properly. 

They also closely monitor all the steps undertaken to prevent infections and identify high-risk areas. 

Further, they are also involved in early detection to implement corrective measures at the right time.

d. Methodology of Work

First, an infection control specialist studies the problem extensively. Then, once they have a basic idea and have implemented enough experiments, they move on to collect data to analyze.

The methodology is extremely practical, and hence it is always more result oriented. Because the work is associated with healthcare, they always need empirical data to support the findings. 

How to Become An Infection Control Specialist?

If you are impressed by the job of an infection control specialist and aspire to become one yourself, you must undertake courses that might help you in this journey!

So, let’s learn all the steps you must undertake to make your dreams come true.

Step 1:

Firstly, you need a bachelor’s degree while pursuing your career as an infection control specialist. The best thing to do is enroll in pre-med, epidemiology, or biology!

Step 2: 

However, it’s not enough to only pursue a bachelor’s degree as it limits your horizons. To ensure you have enough knowledge, you must study a more specialized degree in infection control.

There are better-known options like Apex Training Institute that conduct specialized courses to help you start your career. Only after you have a certification can you go ahead and practice.

Step 3: 

And finally, to get the certificate after attending the course, you must appear for a national exam. It is usually a multiple-choice question test of about 150 questions.

After you have secured the passing marks, you will get the title of an authorized infection control specialist. Then, you can start applying for jobs.

However, unless you have some on-site experience, you may be unable to work in the desired role immediately. You may start by practicing as an apprentice, junior, or trainee at some well-established infection control institute or laboratory. 

Step 4:

And finally, during the process, you must renew your infection renewal certificate. It is valid for five years only. So, if you continue to practice without renewal, it will be illegal.

You must provide valid documents for your practices and the old certificate for certificate renewal. The concerned authorities will verify them to issue you a renewed certificate. 

Over To You….

In post-covid times, the demand for infection control specialists has multiplied overnight. So, if you’re passionate about this career, pursue your interest and become a professional infection control specialist by following the above-mentioned steps!