17 Infection Control Practitioner Interview Questions and Answers

Infection control practitioners (ICPs) are vital to the safety of patients and staff in any hospital, clinic, or other healthcare setting. ICPs use their expertise in infection control to prevent the spread of disease and protect patients, staff, and visitors from illness.

If you’re looking for a job in infection control, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some common interview questions and answers for infection control practitioners.

Are you familiar with the most common types of infections that occur in healthcare settings?

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 infections that you have experience with, as well as the steps you take to prevent them from spreading in the workplace.

Example: “I’ve worked in several different hospitals throughout my career, so I’ve seen many types of infections occur in patients. Some of the most common ones are MRSA, C-difficile and hepatitis B and C. In each hospital where I’ve worked, we had strict protocols for preventing these infections from spreading. For example, when treating an infected patient, we always wore protective gear and washed our hands before and after entering their room.”

What are the most important things to consider when developing an infection control plan for a healthcare facility?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of infection control and how it applies to the healthcare industry. Use your answer to highlight your understanding of the importance of following protocols, procedures and guidelines when developing an infection control plan for a facility.

Example: “The most important thing to consider when developing an infection control plan is that there are many different factors that can affect the safety of patients and staff members. For example, I would need to take into account the type of equipment used in the facility, as well as the training and experience of the staff members who work there. Another factor I would have to consider is the types of pathogens present in the facility, which could include viruses, bacteria or fungi.”

How would you respond if a patient refused to follow your instructions regarding proper hygiene practices?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to work with patients and their families. It’s important to show that you can communicate effectively with patients and their loved ones, as well as provide them with the information they need to follow infection control procedures.

Example: “I would first try to understand why the patient or family member is refusing my instructions. I would explain to them that following proper hygiene practices is essential for preventing the spread of infections in hospitals. If a patient refuses to wash their hands after using the restroom, for example, I would talk to them about how germs can spread from surfaces like bathroom floors to other parts of the hospital.”

What is your process for investigating an outbreak or case of disease within your healthcare facility?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work independently and make decisions in a timely manner. Use your answer to highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “I start by reviewing the patient’s medical records to get an idea of their symptoms and how long they’ve been experiencing them. I then speak with the patient or their family members to learn more about their recent activities and any other information that might be relevant to the case. After speaking with the patient, I perform a physical examination to look for signs of infection or disease. Finally, I test the patient for common diseases using rapid diagnostic tests.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully advocated for a patient who was being treated unfairly by a healthcare provider.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work with others and advocate for patients. In your answer, try to highlight your interpersonal skills and how you can use them to help patients in need.

Example: “In my previous role as an infection control practitioner, I worked closely with a hospital’s emergency department to ensure that all of our patients were receiving the same level of care regardless of their insurance status or financial situation. One day, I received a call from one of the ER doctors who was concerned about a patient who had been waiting for several hours to be seen by a physician.

I immediately went down to the emergency room to speak with the doctor and find out more information about the patient. After speaking with the patient myself, I discovered that they had arrived at the hospital with a minor injury but were being treated much later than other patients because they didn’t have health insurance. I spoke with the hospital administration and arranged for the patient to receive immediate care.”

If a patient contracted an infection that was not currently being treated in your facility, what would be your next steps?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a situation that could arise in your role. It’s important to be honest and explain what steps you would take to ensure the safety of patients, staff members and yourself.

Example: “If I encountered this situation, I would first speak with the patient about their symptoms and ask if they had recently traveled or been exposed to anyone who was sick. If they were currently being treated for an infection, I would contact their physician to see if there was anything else we could do to assist them. If not, I would immediately quarantine the patient and alert my facility’s administration so they could begin contacting other patients who may have come into contact with the infected individual.”

What would you do if you suspected a coworker was infected with a disease but they refused to take a test?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. In your answer, try to show that you value the opinions of others while also demonstrating how you would handle this situation.

Example: “I would first ask my coworker why they refused to take a test. If they said it was because they didn’t want to know if they were infected, I would explain that we have policies in place for a reason and that refusing to take a test could put other patients at risk. If they still refused, I would document their refusal and continue to monitor them closely.”

How well do you perform under pressure? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to manage multiple projects or assignments at once, and highlight how you managed the situation successfully.

Example: “In my current role as an infection control practitioner, I am responsible for managing a large team of nurses and medical professionals who are all working on different aspects of patient care. In addition to overseeing their progress, I also have to ensure that our hospital is in compliance with state and federal regulations regarding infection control. This means that I often have to multitask between reviewing reports, conducting inspections and providing feedback to staff members.”

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. This can be an important skill for infection control practitioners because they often work in hospitals that serve a diverse population of patients. Your answer should show the interviewer that you are comfortable communicating with patients who do not speak English and that you know how to use translation tools or resources.

Example: “I worked at a hospital where many of our patients spoke Spanish, so I learned some basic phrases in Spanish to help communicate with them. In addition, we had bilingual staff members on hand to translate when needed. I also used online translation apps to communicate with patients who did not speak English.”

When performing your daily rounds, how do you track the progress of patients who are infected?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to manage the progress of patients and ensure they’re receiving proper care. Use examples from previous experience in which you tracked patient data, such as their symptoms, treatment plans and overall health.

Example: “I use an electronic medical record system that allows me to track all of my patients’ information, including their current condition, medications and vital signs. I also have access to lab results and other important documents, so I can review them when needed. In my last role, I had one patient who was recovering from a severe infection. I used the tracking tools within the electronic medical record system to monitor his recovery process and make sure he was on track with his treatment plan.”

We want to improve our infection rates. What strategies would you suggest to help us reach our goals?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work as part of a team. Your answer should include steps you would take to help the organization achieve its goals, such as reducing infection rates or improving patient satisfaction.

Example: “I would suggest implementing a hand hygiene program that includes reminders for staff members to wash their hands before entering patients’ rooms. I would also recommend using alcohol gel instead of traditional soap because it’s more effective at killing germs. Another strategy I would use is educating all staff on how to properly clean surfaces in order to prevent the spread of germs.”

Describe your experience with using computerized systems to enter data, update files and perform other tasks.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your computer skills and how you use them in the workplace. Use your answer to describe your experience with using computers, including any specific programs you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, so I’m very familiar with entering data into computerized systems. In my previous role as an infection control practitioner, I used electronic medical records software to enter patient information, such as their symptoms and test results, into the system. This allowed me to access important information quickly when treating patients.”

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. When answering this question, highlight two or three of these skills and explain how they would benefit you in this position.

Example: “I am passionate about infection control and have been working toward my certification as an infection control practitioner for the past five years. I believe that my extensive knowledge of infection prevention techniques will help me provide excellent care to patients at this hospital. In addition, I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me well suited for this role.”

Which infection control strategies do you find the most challenging to implement? Why?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. It also helps them understand how you might handle challenges in their organization. Your answer should highlight your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to overcome obstacles.

Example: “I find it challenging when patients or staff members don’t follow infection control protocols. I always try to educate my patients on why these procedures are important, but sometimes they’re not receptive. In those cases, I have found that it’s best to focus on myself and ensure that I’m following all of the necessary precautions. This usually leads to a domino effect where others start to follow suit.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of this job?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about this role and whether your skills match their expectations. Use your answer to highlight a few of the most important aspects of infection control, such as teamwork or communication.

Example: “I think that the most important aspect of this job is safety. I would always prioritize patient safety over anything else because it’s my responsibility to make sure they’re not at risk from any infections. For example, if there was an outbreak in the hospital, I would work with other members of the team to contain it before it became more serious.”

How often do you perform your rounds?

The interviewer may ask this question to understand how often you interact with patients and staff members. They want to know if your rounds are disruptive or distracting for others. Your answer should show that you respect the privacy of others while still performing your duties as an infection control practitioner.

Example: “I perform my rounds at least once a day, usually in the morning before most people arrive. I find that doing so allows me to speak with any new patients and ensure they have all the supplies they need. It also gives me time to check in on current patients and see how they’re feeling. This helps me identify any potential issues early so I can address them before they become more serious.”

There is a new outbreak in the facility. How do you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle a crisis. They want to know that you can stay calm and make quick decisions when necessary. In your answer, try to demonstrate how you would respond to the situation while also highlighting your critical thinking skills.

Example: “If there was an outbreak in my facility, I would first gather as much information about it as possible. Then, I would immediately quarantine all patients who have been exposed to the disease. Next, I would call for backup if needed. Finally, I would work with other infection control practitioners to develop a plan of action.”