Infection Prevention & Control IPAC
Infection Prevention and Control
This program is for health professionals and front-line healthcare workers who want to learn more about Infection Prevention and Control. It focuses on helping people learn how to stop infections and deal with genuine healthcare problems by improving both theoretical and practical abilities.
What you will learn in this course
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Explain what infection prevention and control does and how far it goes in Canadian healthcare.
- Utilize the principles of microbiology, epidemiology, and surveillance to manage infections.
- Follow the right steps for Routine Practices and Extra Precautions.
- Choose and go over the rules for cleaning, disinfecting, and reprocessing the area.
- Find and stop infections that spread through contact and resistance to antibiotics.
- To deal with epidemics, use surveillance, containment, and good communication.
- Make sure that your IPAC programs and quality improvement projects meet the standards for accreditation.
- Teach workers IPAC practices and lead them in making changes that will last.
Modules
Module 1: Microbiology and Foundations
- Describe what infection prevention and control (IPAC) is and why it matters in healthcare.
- Talk about the main microbiology ideas that are important to IPAC.
- Find out about the different types of microbes and how they get around.
- Talk about the chain of infection and how to break it.
Module 2: Epidemiology and Surveillance
- What is epidemiology, and how does it help IPAC?
- Talk about how healthcare uses surveillance.
- Look at surveillance data to find patterns.
- Talk about how to find and report outbreaks
Module 3: Regular Practices and Extra Precautions
- Talk about the things that happen all the time in healthcare settings.
- Be aware of when to take extra steps, like contacting, droplets, or air.
- Teach people how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly.
- Use your decision-making skills when you’re in a clinical setting where there is a risk of infection
Module 4: Hygiene in the environment and cleaning medical equipment
- Explain why cleaning the environment is important for stopping the spread of infections.
- Use Spaulding’s system to clean medical equipment.
- Talk about how to clean, sanitize, and sterilize things.
- Find places in healthcare settings where infections can spread.
Module 5: Pathogens That Spread and Antimicrobial Resistance
- Find the most important infections that are related to healthcare.
- Describe how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) functions.
- Talk about how to make better use of antibiotics.
- Take steps to protect yourself from multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
Module 6: Management and readiness for outbreaks
- Talk about what an outbreak and preparedness mean in IPAC.
- Talk about what to do and how to investigate an outbreak.
- Make plans for how to deal with an outbreak.
- Check out some real-life outbreaks
Module 7: Health and Safety at Work
Learn about the types of infections that are common in healthcare.
Explain the rules for immunization and keeping people safe from exposure.
Use ways to keep from getting cuts and injuries.
Promote staff health and a culture of safety.
Module 8: Quality Improvement, Capstone, and Program Management
Talk about how IPAC programs work and who is in charge of them.
Explain how quality improvement helps stop infections.
Check out the tools for judging and reporting on programs.
Finish your capstone projects, think about everything you’ve learned in class, and put it all together.
Career Pathways For Graduates
Graduates of the Infection Prevention & Control program can pursue rewarding careers in healthcare, public health, and community organizations, helping prevent the spread of infectious diseases and ensuring safe environments.
Infection Control Practitioner (ICP) / Infection Prevention & Control Professional
- Role: Develop, implement, and monitor infection control policies and procedures in healthcare facilities.
- Typical Employers: Hospitals, long-term care homes, public health departments, clinics.
- Average Salary (Canada): $70,000 – $95,000 annually.
- Certifications: May pursue Certification in Infection Control (CIC) through the Certification Board of Infection Control (CBIC).
Occupational Health & Safety Officer
- Role: Oversee workplace safety programs, focusing on biological hazards and infection prevention.
- Employers: Healthcare institutions, government agencies, large corporations.
- Average Salary: $60,000 – $85,000.
Environmental Health Officer
- Role: Conduct inspections and investigations to control the spread of infectious diseases in community and institutional settings.
- Employers: Municipal or provincial health units, government agencies.
- Average Salary: $70,000 – $90,000.
Healthcare Quality & Risk Management Specialist
- Role: Develop quality improvement strategies that enhance patient safety and infection control.
- Employers: Hospitals, healthcare accreditation organizations, regional health authorities.
- Average Salary: $75,000 – $100,000.
Medical Office or Clinic Infection Control Coordinator
- Role: Manage infection prevention protocols within outpatient or primary care clinics.
- Employers: Medical clinics, dental offices, community health centres.
- Average Salary: $55,000 – $75,000.
Long-Term Care Infection Control Officer
- Role: Implement and monitor infection prevention programs for vulnerable populations in care homes.
- Employers: Long-term care and assisted living facilities.
- Average Salary: $60,000 – $80,000.
Public Health Educator / Health Promotion Specialist
- Role: Design and deliver infection prevention education and awareness campaigns.
- Employers: Non-profits, community health organizations, public health agencies.
- Average Salary: $55,000 – $75,000.
Research Assistant / Epidemiology Support Specialist
- Role: Assist in studies on infectious disease trends, antimicrobial resistance, or infection control interventions.
- Employers: Universities, research institutions, government health departments.
- Average Salary: $50,000 – $70,000.
Industries Hiring Graduates
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Long-term care and retirement homes
- Public health agencies
- Laboratories and research institutions
- Government and regulatory bodies
- Private healthcare and consulting firms
Career Growth & Advancement
With additional experience and credentials (e.g., CIC certification, master’s in public health, or nursing background), graduates can advance to:
- Infection Control Manager / Director
- Epidemiologist
- Public Health Consultant
- Healthcare Safety Executive