Infection Prevention and Control Nursing

PgCert
Nursing and midwifery

Course details

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) are recognised as a major burden for patients, society and healthcare management. More than four million people acquire a healthcare-associated infection each year in the European Union (EU), of which approximately 37,000 die as the direct consequence of the infection.

In tandem with these ongoing issues, we have a growing risk of the global spread of infectious diseases and an ever-increasing resistance to antibiotics.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control Nursing is a fully accredited online six-month part-time programme aimed at infection control professionals who wish to gain theoretical expertise, delivered by industry leading professionals.

This programme is guided by the core competencies of the HSE Antimicrobial Resistance Infection Control (AMRIC) Competency Framework for Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners in Ireland, (2022). This programme provides a foundation for the clinical expertise needed by infection prevention and control professionals to guide our practice, educate, monitor standards, challenge, lead and progress preventative strategies.

Course code: C1068a1

Learning outcomes 

This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to critically:

  • Evaluate infection prevention/control guidelines
  • Discuss the principles of microbiology in the prevention and control of infection.
  • Devise and update infection prevention/control guidelines based on National and International standards.
  • Evaluate administration and management systems for infection prevention/control, including strategic planning for the infection prevention and control service.
  • Evaluate the use of information technology in the development and updating of infection prevention/control guidelines and procedures.
  • Discuss the principles preventing the spread of infection within the hospital and community.
  • Discuss the methods of investigating and controlling an outbreak of infection.
  • Discuss the use of surveillance methods in infection prevention/control.
  • Discuss surveillance and the investigation of relevant infections.

Modules

The programme is run over one academic semester, beginning in January.

The programme provides a foundation for those wishing to progress further to the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Infection Prevention and Control) during which research, leadership and critical analysis skills acquired will further your skills as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

The programme modules are:

Module name Credits Assessment method
The Microbiological Basis for Infection Prevention and Control in the Healthcare Setting 10 MCQ and assigment
Principles of Infection Control 10 Assignment
Managerial Issues in Infection Control 10 Assignment