17 Infection Control Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Infection control nurses are responsible for protecting patients, hospital staff, and the general public from the spread of infection. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics.

Infection control nurses are in high demand, and interviewers will be looking for candidates who have a strong nursing background, as well as experience in infection control. They will also ask questions to assess your ability to think on your feet and handle difficult situations.

To help you prepare for your interview, we have gathered some of the most common infection control nurse interview questions and provided sample answers.

Are you comfortable working with patients who have infectious diseases?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the necessary skills and experience to work in an infection control unit. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you worked with patients who had infectious diseases. This can show that you are capable of handling these situations.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable working with patients who have infectious diseases. In my previous role as an infection control nurse, I worked with many patients who had communicable diseases. One patient I remember was a young boy who contracted chickenpox at school. He came into the hospital for treatment, and I helped him get better by administering antiviral medications.”

What are some of the most important things you do to maintain a safe environment for patients and yourself?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you prioritize your work and ensure the safety of patients, visitors and other healthcare professionals. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to plan ahead and use critical thinking skills.

Example: “I always make sure I have everything I need before entering a patient’s room or area. This includes my supplies, equipment and any personal protective equipment I might need for treating a patient with an infectious disease. I also try to limit the number of people who enter a patient’s room at one time so we don’t risk spreading germs. When working with a contagious patient, I wear gloves, gowns and masks as needed to protect myself and others.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient refuses to follow your instructions about how to prevent the spread of an infection?

Nurses often have to educate patients about how they can prevent the spread of infections. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle a situation where a patient is uncooperative or unwilling to follow your instructions. In your answer, show that you understand why it’s important for patients to follow infection control protocols and that you’re willing to help them do so.

Example: “I would first try to explain to the patient why following these procedures is important. If they still refuse to comply with my instructions, I would document their refusal in their medical record and alert the physician. The doctor may decide to take further action depending on the circumstances.”

What is your process for handling and disposing of hazardous waste generated by patients with infectious diseases?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of infection control procedures and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from your experience to describe how you handle hazardous waste generated by patients with infectious diseases, including how you dispose of it safely.

Example: “In my previous role as an infection control nurse at a hospital, I was responsible for handling and disposing of all types of hazardous waste generated by patients with infectious diseases. For example, when treating patients who have hepatitis or HIV, I would wear protective gear such as gloves, masks and gowns while administering care. After each patient visit, I would place any contaminated materials into biohazard bags that I then disposed of according to hospital protocol.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully helped to prevent the spread of an infection in a patient.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your infection control skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your knowledge of infection prevention methods, such as hand-washing techniques or proper sterilization procedures.

Example: “In my last role as an infection control nurse, I helped prevent the spread of a highly contagious virus by educating patients on how to avoid spreading germs. For example, I taught parents how to properly disinfect their children’s toys after they played with them so that other kids wouldn’t get sick. This education helped reduce the number of new cases we saw each week.”

If a patient contracted an infection that you were unfamiliar with, how would you go about researching it?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to learn new information and apply it to your work. Use examples from previous experience in which you researched unfamiliar infections, learned about them and applied that knowledge to your job.

Example: “In my last position as an infection control nurse, I encountered a patient who contracted a rare form of strep throat. After speaking with the doctor, we determined that the patient’s symptoms were consistent with this uncommon strain of strep. I used online resources to research the disease and found several articles on how to treat it. We then implemented those treatments into our care plan for the patient.”

What would you do if you suspected that a patient had an infection that could be easily treated with antibiotics, but your facility did not have any on hand?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation and whether you have the ability to think critically. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take initiative and solve problems on your own.

Example: “If I suspected that a patient had an infection that could be easily treated with antibiotics but our facility did not have any on hand, I would first ask my supervisor if they knew when we were expecting more supplies. If they didn’t know or couldn’t tell me when new supplies would arrive, I would call other facilities in the area to see if they had extra antibiotics available for us to borrow.”

How well do you perform your duties when you’re under pressure from a high volume of patients?

When an interviewer asks this question, they want to know how you will perform your duties when the facility is experiencing a high volume of patients. This can be especially important in hospitals where there are many patients and few infection control nurses. Your answer should show that you have experience working under pressure and can handle it well.

Example: “In my previous position as an infection control nurse at a hospital, we had a busy flu season with many patients coming into the emergency room. I was able to work quickly while still maintaining quality care for each patient. I also worked closely with other infection control nurses to ensure all patients were receiving proper treatment.”

Do you have experience working with patients who speak different languages?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with patients who speak different languages. If the hospital has a large population of patients who speak other languages, they may want to know that you can communicate effectively with them and provide quality care. Use your answer to highlight any language skills you have or explain how you would learn new ones.

Example: “I do not have specific language skills, but I am open to learning more about other cultures and languages. In my current role as an infection control nurse, I work with many foreign patients every day. I always make sure to greet them in their native language and use simple words and phrases when speaking with them. This helps me build rapport with them and show them that I care.”

When performing physical exams on patients, what is your process for maintaining a clean and sterile environment?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your infection control skills and how they apply in the workplace. Use examples from your previous experience to explain how you maintain a sterile environment during exams, including how you use equipment and materials to protect patients from contamination.

Example: “I always ensure that I have all of my supplies ready before performing physical exams on patients. This includes having clean linens, gloves, gowns and other protective gear available for myself and the patient. I also make sure that the exam room is free of clutter so that it’s easy to find what I need when I need it. When I’m not actively using an item, I store it in a designated place where it won’t get contaminated.”

We want to improve our infection control rates. What changes would you make to your daily routine to achieve this?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make positive changes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the steps you would take to improve infection control rates in your current or previous workplace.

Example: “I would start by analyzing our current infection control rate. I would then create an action plan based on the results of my analysis. For example, if we had high rates of hospital-acquired infections, I would implement new procedures for cleaning staff uniforms and equipment. If we had low rates of hospital-acquired infections but high rates of patient-to-patient transmission, I would focus on educating patients about how they can reduce their risk of contracting infections.”

Describe your experience with using protective gear and handling potentially infectious materials.

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience with the safety protocols and procedures of an infection control nurse. Use examples from previous work experiences to describe how you followed protocol, including when you had to seek assistance or guidance from a supervisor.

Example: “In my last role as an infection control nurse, I was responsible for handling potentially infectious materials without proper protective gear. However, I immediately notified my supervisor who helped me find the appropriate equipment. In addition to providing me with gloves and other necessary supplies, they also provided training on how to properly use them. This allowed me to continue working while ensuring that I was following all safety protocols.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Consider including any certifications or education credentials you have as well as any relevant work experience.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became an infection control nurse in the first place. Throughout my career, I’ve developed strong communication skills and learned how to work with many different types of people. In addition, I’m highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me great at following protocols and ensuring that patients are safe from infections.”

Which areas of infection control interest you the most and why?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with their organization’s infection control goals. It also helps them understand how you might approach your work and what you hope to achieve in this role. When preparing for this interview, think about which aspects of infection control nursing interest you the most. Consider reading through job descriptions to see which responsibilities are most relevant to your interests.

Example: “I am passionate about educating patients on ways they can prevent infections at home. I find it rewarding when a patient understands why certain precautions are important and then follows through with those precautions after leaving the hospital. This is especially true when that precaution leads to preventing an infection from occurring again.”

What do you think is the most important thing that infection control nurses can do to protect patients from disease?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of infection control and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from your experience to explain what you think is most important for infection control nurses to do, and try to focus on the importance of protecting patients from disease.

Example: “I believe that the most important thing infection control nurses can do to protect patients from disease is to practice universal precautions at all times. This means always wearing gloves when touching a patient’s body or bodily fluids, washing hands before and after treating a patient and using clean instruments when performing any medical procedures. These practices are essential in preventing the spread of diseases like hepatitis and HIV.”

How often do you perform physical exams on patients?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your experience with physical exams and how comfortable you are performing them. If you have limited experience, it’s important to explain that you’re willing to learn the process if necessary.

Example: “In my previous role as an infection control nurse, I performed physical exams on patients twice a day. I’m very comfortable performing these types of exams because they were part of my daily routine for several years. However, I understand that some facilities only require physical exams once per week or month, so I am open to learning new processes if needed.”

There is a shortage of protective gear in the supply closet. How would you handle this?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. In your answer, demonstrate that you can collaborate with other members of the team to find solutions to problems.

Example: “If I encountered a shortage in protective gear, I would first check if there are any extra supplies in other departments or hospitals. If not, I would contact my manager to request additional funding for protective equipment. If we still don’t have enough resources, I would call on my colleagues to help me train new staff on how to use the protective gear properly so they can start working without it.”