17 Infection Control Manager Interview Questions and Answers

An infection control manager is responsible for preventing and controlling the spread of infections in a healthcare setting. They develop and implement policies and procedures to minimize the risk of infections, and work with staff to ensure that these policies are followed.

If you’re interested in becoming an infection control manager, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of infection control practices and be able to effectively communicate with staff and patients. You’ll also need to be able to think critically and solve problems quickly.

An infection control manager interview is your chance to demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge needed for the job. During the interview, you’ll be asked a variety of questions, including some that are specific to the job of infection control manager. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common infection control manager interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the most common types of infections that can be transmitted in a healthcare setting?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this one to assess your knowledge of infection control and how it applies to the healthcare setting. Use your answer to highlight any specific experience you have with infection control in a hospital or medical facility.

Example: “I’ve worked as an infection control manager for five years, so I’m very familiar with the most common types of infections that can be transmitted in a healthcare setting. Some of the most common include MRSA, C-difficile, hepatitis B and HIV. In my previous role, we implemented several strategies to prevent these infections from spreading throughout our facility. For example, we used hand sanitizers at all entrances and exits and provided patients with disposable gowns when they entered the exam room.”

What are some of the most important things that infection control practitioners should do to protect patients and staff from the spread of disease?

This question can help the interviewer assess your knowledge of infection control practices and procedures. Use examples from your experience to highlight how you ensure that patients and staff are safe from disease transmission.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for ensuring that all hospital employees followed proper hand-washing techniques and wore appropriate protective gear when working with infectious patients. Additionally, we had a strict policy in place regarding visitors who were ill or had recently recovered from an illness. They were required to wear masks while visiting patients and could only visit one patient at a time.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient was diagnosed with a highly contagious disease such as the flu or chickenpox?

An interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to make quick decisions and prioritize tasks. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can think critically and use problem-solving skills to achieve the best possible outcome for patients and staff members.

Example: “If I were working in an outpatient setting where there are many other patients who could contract the flu or chickenpox from one another, my first priority would be to quarantine the patient with these illnesses so they don’t spread them to others. Next, I would contact the hospital’s infection control team to help me develop a plan of action for treating the patient while also protecting other patients and staff members. For example, we might decide to send the patient home until their symptoms subside.”

What is your process for evaluating the cleanliness of a healthcare facility and making sure it’s up to code?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you use your skills and expertise to ensure the safety of patients in a healthcare facility. Use examples from your experience to explain what you do when evaluating cleanliness and making sure facilities are up to code.

Example: “I start by walking through each department of the hospital, including patient rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and common areas. I look for any signs of uncleanliness or contamination, such as blood on floors or walls, food particles on counters or dirt on floors. I also check that all equipment is sanitary and functioning properly. If there are any issues with cleanliness, I report them to my supervisor so they can be addressed immediately.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to educate a staff member about the best way to prevent the spread of germs.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you can help others understand infection control policies. In your answer, try to show that you are a good communicator who is willing to teach others about the importance of following infection control procedures.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a staff member who would frequently forget to wash their hands before entering patient rooms. After speaking with them about the importance of hand-washing, they understood but still occasionally forgot. To solve this problem, I created a system where every time they entered a room without washing their hands, they would have to put a quarter into a jar. At the end of each week, we would take all the quarters out of the jar and use them as a prize for whoever washed their hands the most.”

If you had to choose one area of infection control to focus on, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see how the interviewer will evaluate your performance as an infection control manager. It’s important to show that you understand the importance of all aspects of infection control and can prioritize them effectively.

Example: “I would say that hand hygiene is one of the most important areas of infection control because it’s so easy for healthcare professionals to forget or neglect proper hand washing techniques. I’ve seen many instances where staff members don’t wash their hands long enough, use the wrong technique or don’t use soap at all. In my last role, I implemented a program that tracked each employee’s hand-washing habits throughout the day. We used this data to identify which employees needed additional training and created a system to help us track compliance with hand-washing procedures.”

What would you do if you noticed that staff members weren’t following the proper procedures for disinfecting equipment and surfaces?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle a situation where staff members were not following the facility’s infection control policies. In your answer, demonstrate that you have strong interpersonal skills and can use them to help others understand why it is important to follow procedures.

Example: “If I noticed that staff members weren’t following proper disinfection procedures, I would first speak with them about the importance of adhering to these protocols. If they continued to disregard the rules, I would hold a meeting with all staff members to discuss the importance of following infection control procedures and reinforce the consequences for failing to do so.”

How well do you work with others on a team and what examples can you provide from your previous experiences as an infection control manager?

An infection control manager needs to be able to work well with others on a team. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you can collaborate and communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare staff.

Example: “I have always been passionate about working in teams, so I find it easy to work with others. In my previous role as an infection control specialist, I worked alongside two infection control specialists and one infection preventionist. We all had different strengths and weaknesses, but we were able to support each other when needed. For example, if one of us was out sick or on vacation, the rest of us would cover for them until they returned.”

Do you have experience working with a budget for infection control initiatives and if so, what examples can you provide?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with financial management and how you’ve used it in the past. Use examples from your previous job or a time when you helped create a budget for infection control initiatives.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating an annual budget for our infection control department. We had to consider several factors when creating the budget, including the number of patients we would be treating, supplies needed and staff costs. I worked with other members of the infection control team to determine what expenses were necessary and which ones could be reduced or eliminated. This process helped us reduce our overall spending by 10% while still providing quality care.”

When performing tests to identify infections, what is the first thing you do?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of infection control procedures. Use your answer to highlight your ability to follow protocols and perform tests correctly.

Example: “The first thing I do when performing any test is make sure that the equipment we use for testing is calibrated properly. This ensures that our results are accurate, which helps me determine whether or not an employee has contracted an illness. After calibrating the equipment, I then take samples from employees who have reported illnesses. I send these samples to a lab where they can be tested.”

We want to improve our infection control practices and reduce the number of staff members who get sick each month. What changes would you make to our current system?

This question helps the interviewer determine how you would apply your skills and experience to improve their organization’s infection control practices. Use examples from previous positions or describe what changes you would make if you were starting from scratch.

Example: “I would start by analyzing our current processes, including staff training, documentation and reporting methods. I would then create a plan for implementing new policies and procedures that are more efficient and effective. For example, I would implement a system where all employees complete monthly surveys about their health and well-being. This information could help us identify areas of improvement and develop strategies to reduce employee illness.”

Describe your process for evaluating the risk of a particular patient and determining the best course of action for infection control.

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to evaluate your decision-making skills and ability to prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous experience to highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.

Example: “When evaluating the risk of a patient, I first consider their overall health and any preexisting conditions that could increase the likelihood of infection. For example, if a patient has an open wound or is immunocompromised, I would take extra precautions during my initial assessment and throughout their treatment. After assessing the patient’s condition, I would then determine the best course of action for preventing infection. In some cases, it might be as simple as washing my hands before entering the room. Other times, however, I may need to wear protective gear or even quarantine the patient.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their organization. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant education, certifications and work experience.

Example: “I am passionate about infection control and have been working in this field for over five years. During my time as an infection control specialist, I’ve developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. I also have extensive knowledge of OSHA regulations and CDC guidelines. These skills make me the best candidate for this position because they will help me ensure compliance with company standards and government regulations.”

Which infection control practices do you find the most challenging to implement and why?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your leadership skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from your experience to explain which practices were challenging for you, but also highlight what steps you took to overcome these challenges.

Example: “I find it most challenging to implement infection control practices in areas where resources are limited. In my previous role as an infection control manager at a hospital, we had a shortage of staff members who could perform certain tasks like cleaning rooms or disposing of waste. I worked with other managers to create schedules that would allow us to assign duties based on each employee’s strengths while still maintaining compliance with infection control standards.”

What do you think is the most important thing for infection control managers to remember?

This question can help interviewers understand your overall philosophy as an infection control manager. Your answer should show that you are committed to the safety of patients and staff, while also being efficient with resources.

Example: “The most important thing for infection control managers to remember is that their primary responsibility is patient safety. This means that they must always be looking for ways to improve infection prevention methods and ensure that all hospital staff members are following proper procedures. It’s also important to remember that we have a limited amount of resources, so it’s crucial to make sure that our infection control strategies are cost-effective.”

How often do you perform routine checks to make sure all staff members are following the proper infection control procedures?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how much attention you pay to the details of your staff’s infection control practices. Your answer should show that you are committed to ensuring all employees follow proper procedures and protocols, especially when it comes to handling infectious waste.

Example: “I perform routine checks at least once a week to make sure my staff is following all infection control policies and procedures. I also hold monthly meetings with each department head to discuss any concerns they have about their staff members’ adherence to infection control standards. If an employee isn’t following procedure, I will address them directly and provide additional training if necessary.”

There is a shortage of healthcare professionals in your area. How would you encourage people to pursue a career in healthcare?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your passion for the healthcare industry and how you can help grow it. In your answer, share what inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare and why you enjoy working in the field. You can also mention any ways you plan to encourage others to join the industry.

Example: “I grew up with a family member who was always sick, so I decided to become a nurse because I wanted to help people like them feel better. I love my job because I get to work with such an amazing team of professionals who are all committed to providing excellent care to our patients. I would definitely tell anyone considering a career in healthcare that they should do it because it’s rewarding and fulfilling.”