Anybody out there work in infection control?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I am excited. I am a registered nurse, but I am looking to do something different in the field of nursing, preferably with a Monday to Friday type of schedule. I applied for a job of occupational health and safety /infection control officer, withing the same health care organization. I am comfortable (but by no means an expert) about health and safety but not so much about infection control. But I put an application in anyway, thinking “well all they can say is NO”. Well they didn’t say no, or at least not yet and I have a job interview on Tuesday afternoon. I’ve been reading websites, reviewing my chain of infection notes from nursing school. I plan to go to the University library on Monday see what I can find briefly there. (I work 12 hour shifts all weekend)

Does anybody have any advice, some good websites to look at or experience in this area? I am a quick learner, and have experience in adult education. Im good at explaining information to people, breaking down large passages into quick info-bites.

Any advice, help, ideas of what kind of interview questions they might ask? I’ve been jotting down ideas and writing out my strengths and how to emphasise them in the interview but I would hate for a question to completely throw me for a loop and I end up babbling, in an interview. Now I know my cover letter must have shown some promise because they don’t interview everyone who applies, and the posting said they would be willing to train someone who is willing to get certification within the next 2 years. So I figure I have a shot.

Any advice is most welcome!

2

Remember that infection control can often be as much a legal issue as it is a health one. You might want to check into some of the legal principles that would affect your job in your area in case they throw you some questions on that.

3

Know the basics about universal precautions.

Know the basics about the common bloodborne pathogens (Hep B, C, HIV), and know the difference between contact, airborne, and droplet precautions.

Bone up on both CA and HA MRSA in general.

CDC.gov has tons of info. Here’s there infection control homepage.

Good luck. It’s fun, one can learn on the job.

QtM, infection control officer (one of the 47 different hats I get to wear with my job).

Oh, and make sure and review post-exposure prophyllaxis stuff for needlesticks. You don’t have to have the info memorized, but know where you can find it. PEP guidelines

4

I worked at a convention for these people once.

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

5

Thanks everyone.

I’ve been reviewing Canadian Infection Control websites, but I hadn’t seen those ones. Thanks, they look really good.

Universal precautions, etc are the area that I am comfortable with. I’ve worked through a couple of Norwalk outbreaks, and actually I think my commenting on that in my application letter was what got me the interview.

Keep your fingers crossed for me on Tuesday.

6

Wow, spent the day reading and printing off infection control stuff, for review at home. (My computer is completely dead). Thanks so much, the info is great.

I REALLY want that job.