Infection preventionists (IPs) and epidemiologists (IPEs) are responsible for preventing and containing infectious diseases across the healthcare continuum. Through critical thinking, enhanced data analysis, and targeted research – IPs and epidemiologists play a significant role in the safety of our healthcare systems, patients, doctors, nurses, administrators, facility workers, and visitors.
IPs and epidemiologists combine skills in mathematics, science, health industry knowledge, and public health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of diseases and provide guidance on combatting existing diseases for the health security of patients and workers. Working in infection prevention and epidemiology requires quick thinking, enhanced problem-solving, and strong communication.
A career as an IP or epidemiologist offers a rewarding career path in a rapidly growing discipline. To become an IP or epidemiologist, it is essential to know what IPEs do and why they need to learn.
An understanding of infection prevention & epidemiology
A career in infection prevention and epidemiology requires more than a basic understanding of health safety and disease spread. IPs and epidemiologists must understand how diseases spread and why they spread – starting with how diseases form, mutate, and interact with humans.
A solid historical understanding of diseases is also vital in tracking how outbreaks start and spread and what can be done to prevent epidemics in the future. Understanding diseases’ historical, scientific, and biological foundations is a must-have competency as an IP or epidemiologist.
Strong industry knowledge
IPs and epidemiologists must understand the hospital systems and their protocols for disease prevention.
Understanding past, present, and available health and safety protocols for any outbreak situation could mean the difference between controlling or losing control of the spread.
Understanding of informatics
Research and data are the backbones of success for IPs and epidemiologists. A strong understanding of health informatics – the acquisition, processing, analysis, and implementation of patient data – will make drawing connections and reading research studies much more manageable.
Infection prevention and epidemiology is heavy math and science-based field – requiring a solid understanding of statistics and data analysis. While technology does help with advanced calculations and analysis, IPs and epidemiologists need to understand how to access, read and translate data into usable information for projects and policies to address or prevent a potential outbreak.
Critical thinking & problem-solving.
Accessing and working through data is one thing – knowing what to do with it is another. IPs and epidemiologists often work with complex illnesses, tricky legal and administrative policies, and an ever-evolving landscape unwilling to give them a break.
Problem-solving, especially in the field, is critical when addressing crises and when making leadership decisions. Based on industry knowledge and confidence in understanding diseases and health policy, critical thinking will help guide better decisions when needed.
Communication & Cross-Industry Knowledge
The COVID-19 pandemic boosted industries seeking guidance and support from IPs and epidemiologists. While epidemiologists were found primarily working in healthcare or public health settings, they’re now finding themselves in other industries and disciplines. Education, entertainment, sports, hospitality, and food service are just a few new industries IPs and epidemiologists are entering.
Having strong communication skills to effectively communicate with and translate the needs and concerns of these industries and apply retroactive changes on a preventative or crisis basis is an essential aspect of the job that will help future IPs and epidemiologists impact more lives and initiatives in the future.
Industry experience
A strong background in healthcare, informatics, or biology is an excellent place to start when considering an IP or epidemiologist career. Since most jobs within the field are found in healthcare settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient homecare, or health research facilities – knowledge of how these industries operate, their key players, and where potential pain points are will be vital in helping detect and prevent possible outbreaks, along with guiding prevention measures.
While there is no stated requirement regarding industry experience to become an IP or epidemiologist, each facility and job title may differ. It’s essential to check with potential employers and locations and conduct independent research when considering employment at a facility.
Education & Certificates
An undergraduate in public health, nursing, or informatics is a good starting point for those considering a career in infection prevention and epidemiology. As a more concentrated branch of public health studies, academic programs focusing on infection prevention and epidemiology are primarily concentrated at the graduate level, post-bachelor certificate, and post-master certificate level.
While certificate programs offer a shorter course focus than a graduate level program, the time, stress, and rigor of a graduate program offer more enhanced study and teaching competencies than a certificate program does not. While each academic program is different, looking at what programs offer, what skills are needed, and how those will translate when searching for and working at jobs is essential.
There is a lot to consider when becoming an IP or epidemiologist. Programs like the University of Providence’s Masters of Science in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology offer advanced training, job skills, and confidence through evidence-based practice to prepare students to meet the demand and take the first step toward a specialized, rewarding career.
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