What Does An Infection Control Practitioner Do?

WHAT DOES AN INFECTION CONTROL PRACTITIONER DO?

Published: Aug 28, 2025 - The Infection Control Practitioner conducts independent surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, including bloodstream, catheter-associated, and surgical site infections, while managing TB cases, disinfection practices, and exposure incidents. This role involves writing infection control guidelines, supporting regulatory compliance with TJC, CMS, BPHC, and MDPH, and serving as the infection prevention expert for multiple inpatient units or service lines. The practitioner also performs site visits, delivers education and orientations, reviews data for infection trends, and collaborates with senior ICPs and hospital epidemiologists on complex cases.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Infection Control Practitioner

1. Infection Control Practitioner Overview

Program Management: Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention program.
Surveillance Planning: Develop an annual surveillance plan based on the populations served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data.
Epidemiologic Application: Utilize epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations.
Plan Evaluation: Evaluate and modify the surveillance plan.
Policy Development: Develop, interpret, and assist with the implementation of infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
Data Communication: Communicate infection prevention and control information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the network.
Learning Assessment: Assess and address the learning needs of those served.
Education Design: Create educational goals, objectives, and strategies using learning principles and available educational tools and technology.
Program Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and learner outcomes.
Regulatory Compliance: Comply with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels.
Standards Facilitation: Facilitate compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

2. Infection Control Practitioner Essential Functions

PI Methodology Application: Utilize PI methodology as a means of enacting change.
Project Scoping: Define the scope of the project and select an appropriate PI tool to aid in efficiency, reliability, effectiveness, and ensure sustainability of the initiative.
Customer-Centered Improvement: Ensure that the customer needs and expectations are considered in the development and continuous improvement of processes, products, and services.
Outcome Evaluation: Monitor and analyze process and outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness and sustainability.
PI Participation: Participate in the PI committees, teams, and initiatives as indicated.
Professional Development: Pursue professional growth and development of required knowledge and skills.
Goal Setting: Establish at least one personal goal per year.
Safety Advocacy: Advocate for patient safety, health worker safety, and overall safe practices.
Professional Involvement: Participate in an infection prevention and control professional organization/association.
Public Health Collaboration: Consult and collaborate with local, state, and federal public health officials, and community health organizations.
Team Engagement: Involve multidisciplinary teams to ensure changes are vetted by all stakeholder groups.

3. Infection Control Practitioner Duties

Knowledge Maintenance: Remain current in knowledge, references, and resources pertaining to infection control and prevention.
Hospital Surveillance: Perform surveillance throughout the hospital and affiliates for the purpose of case finding and evaluation of infection control practices.
Population-Based Surveillance: Responsible for surveillance activities that are appropriate to the needs and risk factors of the populations served, including diagnosis, age, and severity of illness.
Surveillance Proficiency: Responsible for surveillance as a key job responsibility for the ICP, with proficiency expected after one year of hire.
Data Review: Review microbiological data, enter data, and maintain records of patients with significant infections.
Findings Reporting: Advise the Infection Control Director and hospital epidemiologist about significant findings.
Committee Membership: Active member of the Infection Control Committee.
Report Preparation: Assist in preparing reports for committee review.
Minute Documentation: Prepare committee minutes in the absence of the Infection Control Director.
Issue Escalation: Report problems related to Infection Control to the Infection Control Director.
Corrective Action Planning: Assist with assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating corrective actions.
Study Implementation: Assist with the development and implementation of special infection control studies at the direction of the Infection Control Director.

4. Infection Control Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities

Antibiotic Data Support: Assist with data collection for antibiotic reviews.
Policy Development: Assist with the development of infection control policies and procedures, including the Infection Control Manual.
NHSN Reporting: Responsible for NHSN data entry and report generation.
Process Evaluation: Evaluate sterilization and disinfection processes and ensure they are in line with evidence-based practices.
Policy Review: Review departmental infection control policies with department managers and recommend revisions.
Staff Education Assessment: Assess and evaluate staff understanding of isolation technique, disease transmission, and other infection control topics.
Disease Reporting: Report communicable disease to public health authorities according to current regulations.
Education Material Development: Assist in developing Infection Control educational materials.
ICRA Oversight: Oversee ICRAs in the ICPs' areas of responsibility.
Health Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Employee Health Services to identify and report infection risks for staff exposures and implement risk management programs.
Standards Implementation: Assist and direct the implementation of standards of The Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation and OSHA to all hospital departments.
Committee Participation: Participate in various hospital committees as a subject matter expert in Infection Control.
Risk Assessment: Perform annual risk assessments of diverse areas and follow up with quarterly audits.

5. Infection Control Practitioner Job Description

Team Representation: Represent the Infection Prevention and Control Team.
Policy Implementation Support: Assist in the compilation and implementation of policy, guidance, and procedures relating to infection prevention and control in the organisation, in conjunction with other members of the infection prevention and control team.
Report Contribution: Contribute to the annual report for the IP&C committee, in partnership with the Infection Prevention and Control Team and as part of the annual programme for infection prevention and control.
Surveillance Maintenance: Assist in the maintenance of HCAI surveillance initiatives within the critical care setting.
Programme Participation: Participate in the implementation of agreed surveillance programmes in accordance with agreed national, regional, and local priorities.
Data Collection: Participate in the collation of HCAI surveillance data from various sources, IT downloads, etc.
Data Management: Responsible for the identification of anomalies, data cleaning, and recoding of data.
Trend Identification: Identify sources and trends in infection.
Decision Support: Ensure that decisions on infection prevention and control measures are fully informed.
Results Communication: Participate in the feedback of HCAI surveillance results to the Infection Prevention and Control Team, clinical staff, and interested parties on a regular basis.
Public Presentation: Present information to large groups of staff in formal settings and involve the use of presentational aids.
Initiative Development: Contribute to new HCAI surveillance initiatives and audit activities in conjunction with the IPC team.

6. Infection Control Practitioner Functions

Specialist Training Delivery: Provide ad hoc specialist advice/training.
External Liaison: Liaise with the DOH in the provision of healthcare-associated surveillance data.
Clinical Data Feedback: Ensure surveillance data is fed back appropriately to clinical staff.
Surveillance Participation: Participate in all HCAI surveillance initiatives, both mandatory and non-mandatory.
Report Compilation: Compile HCAI surveillance reports.
IPC Support: Support IPC link persons in their roles in areas across the organisation.
Patient Care Integration: Ensure IPC is an integrated part of patient/client care.
Augmented Care Guidance: Provide specialist advice to all augmented care settings with respect to improving the patient experience and the reduction of HCAIs.
Infection Investigation: Identify, investigate and monitor infections and hazardous practices/procedures which could pose health risks to patients, staff, or the public, reporting findings and outlining actions to their line manager and relevant others.
Result Interpretation: Clarify and explain microbiological results to healthcare workers, highlighting the implications for Infection Prevention and Control, giving advice and reassurance appropriate to the clinical situation.
Record Maintenance: Maintain accurate patient clinical records, updating specialist patient databases.

7. Infection Control Practitioner Details

Outbreak Collaboration: Work with the Infection Control Physician, department heads, line managers and relevant others in the investigation and control of outbreaks or increased incidents of infection in care.
Data Analysis Support: Assist in the collection and contribute to the analysis of surveillance/audit data in conjunction with the infection prevention and control team and clinical teams.
Specialist Advisory Role: Provide information to staff and act as a specialist advisor in all matters relating to infection prevention and control.
Practice Implementation: Assist the line manager in the update and introduction of new practices, in accordance with research and legislation.
External Agency Liaison: Liaise with all outside health care agencies/facilities.
Inter-Facility Coordination: Liaise with infection prevention and control staff in other healthcare facilities to provide a seamless service.
Contracting Support: Assist the line manager in advising contracting departments and participating in the preparation of documents relating to service specifications and quality standards.
Staff Health Liaison: Liaise with staff in the employee health department in relation to the prevention and control of infection amongst hospital staff.
Microbiology Collaboration: Liaise with staff in the microbiology department in the organization and undertake surveillance and investigation of outbreaks.

8. Infection Control Practitioner Responsibilities

Confidential Documentation: Ensure documentation is accurate and maintains the confidentiality of information.
Crisis Response: Act appropriately to protect oneself and others when faced with unexpected health consumer responses, confrontation, personal threat, or other crisis situations.
Program Evaluation: Reflect upon and evaluate with peers and experienced nurses the effectiveness of the infection prevention and control program.
Professional Development: Responsible for maintaining professional development.
Current Practice Knowledge: Attain knowledge and competence that reflects current infection control practice.
Evidence Integration: Integrate evidence and research findings into practice.
Resource Utilization: Utilize appropriate resources to plan and provide infection control services that are safe, effective, and financially responsible.
Practice Evaluation: Assist the Line Manager to appraise and evaluate infection prevention and control practice through a structured audit programme.
Audit Participation: Participate in independent and validation audits in relation to Infection Prevention and Control.
Care Improvement: Improve patient care and provide written reports in a timely manner.
Product Evaluation: Organize trials and product evaluation to promote good Infection Prevention and Control practice in collaboration with other members of the Infection Prevention and Control Team.
Audit Dissemination: Contribute to the dissemination of audit results through presentation at audit days, mandatory training sessions, and/or induction days.

9. Infection Control Practitioner Duties and Roles

Microbiology Surveillance: Conduct surveillance of microbiology data with analysis of bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonias, and multidrug-resistant organisms.
Data Feedback: Provide feedback on data to medical directors and administrators.
Literature Awareness: Remain current in pertinent literature and infection control practice.
Survey Preparation: Direct and monitor Joint Commission survey preparation related to Infection Control.
Program Development: Develop infection control programs, such as hand hygiene, and implement these programs throughout the health system.
Staff Education: Educate clinical and non-clinical staff regarding infection control practices.
Data Reporting: Report pertinent infection control data to public health departments.
Committee Representation: Participate in health system committees to represent infection control practice.
Interdepartmental Collaboration: Serve on committees including Environmental Health, National Patient Safety Goal Liaisons, Construction, Patient Safety, Joint Commission Leadership, Patient Care Policy and Procedure, Clinical Products, and Emergency Management.
Clinical Rounding: Round on units and in outpatient clinics regularly.
Practice Compliance: Ensure compliance with infection control practices.

10. Infection Control Practitioner Responsibilities and Key Tasks

QI Committee Participation: Participate in unit-based QI committees.
Policy Review: Review and revise infection control policies at least annually.
Emergency Preparedness: Develop infection control and performance improvement policies related to Emergency Management and participate in mandatory exercises.
Exposure Follow-up: Conduct and/or coordinate follow-up of exposures to patients, families, and physicians.
Occupational Health Partnership: Partner with Occupational Health on infection control concerns.
Systemwide Consultation: Consult with all departments and programs within the health system on issues and concerns related to infection control and prevention.
Educational Content Development: Develop articles and presentations for internal and external audiences.
Meeting Facilitation: Facilitate monthly Infection Control meetings.
Values Demonstration: Responsible for consistently demonstrating Magis values of Care, Concern, Respect, and Cooperation through teamwork and effective communication.
Problem Solving: Prevent and solve problems to achieve quality outcomes, patient safety, customer satisfaction, and a safe environment.
Service Excellence: Responsible for developing and maintaining an environment of service excellence as outlined in the Service Excellence standards.

11. Infection Control Practitioner Roles and Details

Exposure Management: Work up potential patient and staff exposures, complete exposure report forms, and communicate with Employee Health and unit managers with support from ICP3/4 and hospital epidemiologists.
Practice Observation: Perform direct observation of basic infection control practices, staff hand hygiene, and post-discharge cleaning evaluations of inpatient rooms, including data entry and communication with unit leadership.
TB Case Oversight: Responsible for TB case evaluation and management, including reporting, and issues related to high-level disinfection and sterilization.
Regulatory Preparedness: Develop competence in TJC, CMS, and other regulatory requirements and assist with TJC preparedness efforts.
Surveillance Training: Complete training in healthcare-associated infection surveillance (bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections).
Surveillance Execution: Perform these types of surveillance independently with good accuracy and consistency.
Unit Expertise: Function as the primary infection control contact/content expert for an inpatient unit or service line with support from an ICP3 or ICP4.
ICRA Performance: Regularly perform Infection Control Risk Assessments for construction and maintenance projects.
On-Call Duties: Carry the ICP on-call pager during regular working hours 1-2 times per week with backup from ICP3 or ICP4 and receive direct feedback.
Outbreak Management Skills: Develop skills in outbreak detection and management.
Investigation Assistance: Assist ICP3/4 and hospital epidemiologists in outbreak investigations and reporting.
Education Delivery: Participate in staff infection control education, including written, online (including interactive education development), and oral presentations.

12. Infection Control Practitioner Key Accountabilities

NHSN Surveillance: Conduct on-going surveillance using NHSN definitions through review of admission diagnosis, microbiology results, physician orders, patient medical records, and clinical staff discussion.
Environmental Rounding: Perform environmental rounds to identify processes associated with infection risk and apply knowledge to reduce these risks.
Data Interpretation: Collect and interpret data to determine specific problem areas.
Risk Analysis: Conduct analysis of data to include risk assessment, prevention, and control strategies.
Report Compilation: Compile and interpret surveillance reports to the Infection Control Committee and hospital staff.
Outbreak Investigation: Direct investigations of clusters/outbreaks of hospital infections in consultation with the Infection Control Committee, Divisional CNO/DQM, and county/state health officials.
Precaution Monitoring: Ensure appropriate precautions are in place to reduce infection risks, including hand hygiene compliance, PPE compliance, and appropriate signage.
Log Maintenance: Maintain the Infection Control log.
Recordkeeping: Maintain all surveillance records.
Mandatory Reporting: Ensure required reporting is done.
Quality Improvement: Participate in quality improvement activities by assessing and measuring HAI rates and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.

13. Infection Control Practitioner Role Purpose

Committee Participation: Participate in the Infection Control Committee, QAPI, and OIC.
Exposure Investigation: Investigate potential exposures and facilitate follow-up for involved staff.
Compliance Coordination: Work with Human Resources and hospital leadership staff to maintain compliance with required testing and vaccination programs.
Education Planning: Plan, organize, and present Infection Control educational programs to all hospital staff.
Training Implementation: Conduct regular training sessions to ensure consistent implementation of Infection Control policies and procedures using materials that are easily understood by both clinical and non-clinical staff.
Outcome Communication: Share infection control outcomes with hospital staff through participation in staff meetings.
Orientation Support: Participate in new employee orientation and annual training.
Staff Resource: Serve as a resource to all hospital staff on all issues related to infection control and employee health.
Policy Compliance: Maintain compliance with all Infection Control policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards.
Manual Maintenance: Maintain Infection Control Survey Readiness Manual.
Survey Preparedness: Assist in all licensing/accreditation survey preparedness and surveys.

14. Infection Control Practitioner Roles

Advanced IPAC Expertise: Provide advanced infection prevention and control expertise, advice, and support to patient care programs and hospital support departments.
Standards Compliance: Assure compliance with legislative and accreditation standards.
Interdepartmental Collaboration: Work with patient care and hospital support programs.
Practice Supervision: Supervise the development and evaluation of infection prevention and control practices.
Expert Consultation: Provide expert consultation to all levels of hospital staff and programs related to individual and system questions and issues related to IPAC.
Complex Case Consultation: Provide individual consultation for hospital staff, patients, and families related to complex infection prevention questions.
Literature Review: Review new literature and best practice guidelines, assess the impact of recommendations on hospital programs.
Action Planning: Develop action plans for implementation across all departments in the hospital.
Policy Development: Evaluate and revise hospital policies and develop new hospital policies.
Complaint Investigation: Investigate patient complaints related to IPAC and work with departments to implement action plans in response.
Disease Management Support: Support Occupational Health, Wellness, and Safety in communicable disease management.

15. Infection Control Practitioner Details and Accountabilities

Vaccination Consultation: Provide expert advice regarding vaccination programs.
Product Evaluation: Evaluate new products and equipment for their infection risks.
Implementation Collaboration: Work with users to develop solutions for implementation.
Preventative Measures Planning: Develop and supervise the implementation of appropriate preventative measures.
Construction Protection: Protect patients and staff during construction and renovation activities.
Literature Distribution: Review, select, and distribute appropriate new scientific literature to stakeholders.
Ongoing Risk Assessment: Provide ongoing risk assessment of existing and emerging infection prevention and control risks to the hospital.
ICRA Execution: Use specialized knowledge to conduct infection control risk assessments.
Risk Solution Guidance: Guide risk analysis and develop solutions for existing and emerging issues.
Threat Awareness: Remain current with evolving infectious disease threats and changing recommendations for management.
Crisis Coordination: Ensure that the hospital response is coordinated and appropriate.
Research Participation: Participate in research protocols that will improve the hospital's ability to protect patients and staff from infections.

16. Infection Control Practitioner Overview

Program Supervision: Supervise the development, implementation, and evaluation of surveillance and quality improvement programs to reduce the risk of patient and staff infection.
Surveillance Implementation: Implement and conduct patient surveillance activities by adapting established criteria, best practices, and evidence-based research to best meet hospital needs.
QI Leadership: Lead quality improvement teams aimed at ensuring best practices in infection prevention are implemented and proactive strategies are followed to identify, prevent, and control hospital-acquired infections.
Epidemiological Analysis: Perform epidemiological analysis of outbreak and surveillance data.
Interdepartmental Collaboration: Secure cooperation of multiple departments for the development of solutions to infection control problems and the adoption of improved preventive practices.
Outbreak Strategy Development: Create strategies for, and supervise the implementation of, programs to prevent and optimally manage outbreaks.
Exposure Investigation: Lead the investigation of exposure incidents and clusters of infection.
Incident Risk Assessment: Provide risk assessment for incidents involving patient and staff risk.
Outbreak Leadership: Chair outbreak management meetings.
Evidence Communication: Provide updated evidence to patient care programs on the prevention and management of outbreaks.

17. Infection Control Practitioner Job Description

Outbreak Coordination: Coordinate outbreak debriefing sessions and working groups to reduce the risk of specific outbreaks in patient care areas (e.g., influenza, CPE).
Partnership Management: Develop and manage relationships with external partners and agencies related to infection prevention, patient flow, and outbreak management.
Public Health Liaison: Liaise with Toronto Public Health, Public Health Ontario Laboratories, and Public Health Ontario in the management of communicable diseases.
Representation Duties: Represent the hospital and department in consultation/discussion with the hospital, community, and government agencies and organizations.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with partners (e.g., other healthcare organizations, industry, regulatory agencies).
Practice Improvement: Improve regulations, expert recommendations, equipment design, and practices related to infection prevention.
Education Program Management: Responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the infection prevention and control education program.
Staff Orientation: Provide orientation and ongoing education to all hospital staff, volunteers, and contractors.
Needs-Based Education: Assess educational needs, modify existing programs, and develop new programs based on the results of the needs assessment.
Patient/Family Education: Lead the development and implementation of education programs for patients and families.

18. Infection Control Practitioner Accountabilities

Exposure Follow-up: Work up potential patient and staff exposures, complete exposure report forms, and communicate with Employee Health and unit managers.
Guideline Development: Write and update infection control guidelines with support from ICP4 and hospital epidemiologists.
TB Case Management: Independently perform TB case evaluation and management, including reporting.
Sterilization Oversight: Evaluate and manage issues related to high-level disinfection and sterilization.
Survey Participation: Participate in TJC readiness efforts, BPHC and MDPH visits, and TJC and CMS surveys.
Surveillance Performance: Independently and regularly perform healthcare-associated infection surveillance (bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections) with good accuracy and consistency.
Case Consultation: Discuss difficult cases with ICP4 or hospital epidemiologists.
Unit Representation: Function as the primary infection control contact/content expert for several inpatient units or service lines.
Data Monitoring: Regularly review surveillance data for assigned units/service lines, looking for trends and any indications of clusters or infections of high concern.
Site Education: Perform site visits (on and off-site) and provide unit-/service line-based education and orientations.

19. Infection Control Practitioner Responsibilities

Data Management: Collect, analyze, report, and present epidemiologic surveillance data.
Policy Development: Develop best-practice-based infection control policies and protocols.
Compliance Monitoring: Monitor and improve compliance with the best practices in infection control.
Care Team Consultation: Work closely with the care teams and provide consultation and guidance to prevent and control the transmission of hospital-acquired infections.
Intervention Program Design: Develop and implement intervention programs against hospital-acquired infections.
Outbreak Management: Conduct epidemiologic investigations and manage outbreaks.
HAI Surveillance: Responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare-associated infections.
Strategy Collaboration: Collaborate with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies.
Surveillance Optimization: Maintain/upgrade tracking methods for surveillance in order to produce meaningful data and outcomes for patients and hospital staff.
Education Leadership: Responsible for hospital-wide education related to infection control duties and is active in managing the infection prevention program.
Committee Alignment: Work under the guise of the Infection Control Committee.

20. Infection Control Practitioner Key Accountabilities

QI Enhancement: Enhance quality improvement activities by assessing and measuring hospital-acquired infection rates and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.
Infection Prevention: Ensure the prevention of hospital-associated infections and illness in patients.
Risk Monitoring: Assess and monitor infection risks.
Outbreak Reporting: Report and record infection outbreaks.
Committee Leadership: Collaborate and lead hospital infection control committees.
Staff Education: Educate staff on proper infection control processes.
Interdisciplinary Communication: Communicate well with nursing staff, physicians, and other healthcare staff.
Infection Control Role: Hold an active role in the prevention, surveillance, and control of infections.
Policy Support: Provide support and education on IPAC policies, standards, wise practices, and guidelines.
Improvement Oversight: Act as a resource and review opportunities for IPC improvement, and follow up on occurrences of infection transmission across PHSA.
Educational Program Development: Assess site educational needs, and develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs.
Committee Collaboration: Collaborate with clinical program infection control committees, clinical operational teams, and the organization-wide IPAC team.
Leadership Liaison: Liaise with leaders across PHSA and within clinical programs on operational and professional matters.

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