What is an infection preventionist? Join this fast-growing field.

Infection preventionists (IPs) are professionals who make sure healthcare workers and health facilities are doing all the things they should to prevent infections from spreading. IPs come from a variety of backgrounds – many have training as nurses, epidemiologists, public health professionals, microbiologists, lab technicians, or doctors.

Download APIC’s Infographic to learn more about who IPs are, what they do, and who they work with.

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Download the IP Fact Sheet for more details about this career.

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COVID-19 shone a bright light on the importance of infection prevention to keep us safe from pandemics. Since COVID, there’s been an increasing demand for people to fill infection prevention roles in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and even outside of healthcare — companies in the entertainment industry are hiring IPs to advise them on COVID safety. Public health agencies such as the CDC have IPs on staff

You might enjoy working as an IP if you:

  • Have some training or experience in public health, patient care, clinical research, or lab work
  • Thrive in a variety of settings – IPs work all over healthcare facilities from the bedside, to the lab, to the executive suite
  • Enjoy collaborating with and teaching colleagues from many different departments
  • Like doing detective work to identify the source of a problem
  • Want to make a big difference in quality and safety for healthcare workers and patients

Think this career might be for you? Download a sample job description to learn more.

You will receive the IP Job Description PDF after clicking submit

I love being an Infection Preventionist because every day you face a new challenge. I have the opportunity to work with so many amazing people from every department in the organization. I learn new things every day. This job is never boring! This profession allows me to be creative, collaborative and problem solve.

Sarah Marie Bishop

Some of the best infection prevention teams I’ve worked on have had professionals with different backgrounds.  Respiratory therapists, medical technologists, public health professionals, and nurses all bring great perspectives to the field.  The most fundamental skills that an infection preventionist should bring to the job are a passion for lifelong learning, and taking initiative to learn and grow professionally

Holly Taylor

I love being an infection preventionist because I get to interact with and be involved in every department of the healthcare system. From intensive care units to outpatient clinics to construction project planning, there is nothing in healthcare that doesn’t benefit from an infection preventionist’s involvement. Being part of the overall patient care team, albeit usually behind the scenes, and knowing my work keeps patients and healthcare personnel safe, is extremely rewarding.

Beth Wallace

Resources for Joining the Field

APIC offers education and training for those new to the field and beyond. Here are some resources to get you started.

  • The 5 Second Rule Podcast Episode #28 - Career Advice: How To Become an Infection Preventionist. In this episode, we will be discussing how to get started as an infection preventionist and what you can expect in the role.
  • The 5 Second Rule Podcast Episode #41 - Tips from Expert IPs: A foot in the door and a leg up on leadership. Breaking into the IPC industry can be challenging. Listen as 2 IP experts discuss how to get started.
  • APIC Chapter Map -- use APIC’s Chapter Map to find a chapter near you. Attend a chapter meeting and get to know the IPs in your area. Many chapters allow students to attend a program for free or for a reduced cost to learn more about the career and make networking connections.
  • APIC Membership – once you are more sure about your career direction, consider joining APIC where you will find a community of infection preventionists spanning all career stages and gain access to professional development resources. Reduced fees for a student membership.
  • APIC Career Center – view and apply for jobs in the field.
  • a-IPC Certification – learn more about the a-IPC (Associate – Infection Prevention and Control), an entry-level certification examination for those interested in pursuing careers in the field.
  • CIC® Certification – learn more about the professional certification that is the standardized measure of the knowledge, skills and abilities expected of professionals working in the field of infection prevention and control.
  • Basic Microbiology for Infection Preventionists – explore fundamentals of microbiology in this novice-level course.
  • EPI Virtual Intensive - get essential training in how to develop an effective IPC program to protect patients, reduce risk, and comply with accrediting and regulatory requirements.