Infection Control Officers

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Permalink Reply by Chance Gearheart on July 18, 2009 at 7:35am

Ours is an actual BSN with training in either infection control nursing or public health. I think they offer an actual certification course in Infection Control Nursing as well.

Of course I've worked at places where the infection control person is an EMT or Paramedic with no formal training in public health, or epidemiology.

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Permalink Reply by TheCannulator on July 18, 2009 at 7:46am

They don't.

We have a group of opational staff as a committee with coopted advice via our occupational physicians.

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Permalink Reply by Earl Culvey on July 18, 2009 at 9:48am

I am the ICO at my house. I have no formal training, but am looking for some. I do have the cooperation of the local hospital IC Nurse. Also, suprisingly enough, my local OSHA office has been very helpful. They didn't even give me a fine at the audit we just had and sent me helpful information for compliance.

I think alot of companies have the same problem we do. We are a small company full of just EMTs and paramedics. Very few of which have little if any college level education past their certifications. The company needed someone in there and asked if anyone could do it.

On that note. Anyone got any idea on some good programs out there that may be useful for a new ICO. I am really having trouble in finding any good prgrams and could use the help.

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Permalink Reply by dr-exmedic on July 18, 2009 at 11:09am

Ours has a BA or BS in something along the lines of Industrial Health and Safety (don't know exactly), although that's mere coincidence--if he were to move on, it would go to any other employee, none of whom have degrees, or any specific training.

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Permalink Reply by blair4630 on July 18, 2009 at 3:40pm

What infection control officer? :(

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Permalink Reply by Joe P. on July 18, 2009 at 4:09pm

blair4630 said:

What infection control officer? :(

Seconded times two organizations, one tiny, one large.

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Permalink Reply by Tracey Baker on July 18, 2009 at 10:34pm

If you need such person with dedication, degrees etc..look no further than a bit South my friend...LOL...sorry I had too~

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Permalink Reply by Paula Miller on July 19, 2009 at 8:44pm

I am ambulance captain, PHRN, PA-C (bachelor's degree), with a 2 day course by Katherine West on how to set up an infection control program.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry on July 20, 2009 at 4:01pm

Fina a class being taught by Kathie West, she is great and it is a certification class. . .

Earl Culvey said:

I am the ICO at my house. I have no formal training, but am looking for some. I do have the cooperation of the local hospital IC Nurse. Also, suprisingly enough, my local OSHA office has been very helpful. They didn't even give me a fine at the audit we just had and sent me helpful information for compliance.

I think alot of companies have the same problem we do. We are a small company full of just EMTs and paramedics. Very few of which have little if any college level education past their certifications. The company needed someone in there and asked if anyone could do it.

On that note. Anyone got any idea on some good programs out there that may be useful for a new ICO. I am really having trouble in finding any good prgrams and could use the help.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry on July 20, 2009 at 4:11pm

Here is Katherine's e-mail "info@ic-ec.com"

Best Wishes

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Griffin on July 21, 2009 at 4:18pm

I have an Associates degree, most of a Biology degree and have had Katherine West's class 3-4 times...It gets better each time. I am one of the only medics in our fire department, so it kind of fell upon me by default back in 1994. I have been ICO ever since. I need to do another Katherine West class though, its been a couple of years and things change rapidly in this business. If your department does not have a desinated person, or you have no training what so ever....it is imperative that you get things rolling asap.... beg, borrow, steal...do what you have to to make it happen.

Katherine West's business is "Infection Control Emerging Concepts" it is based in Fairfax, VA. Her husband is also an Infection Control Lawyer(?) I believe. http://www.ic-ec.com/index.html

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Permalink Reply by Earl Culvey on July 24, 2009 at 10:51am

Cool. Thanks for the info. I have actually seen her company's listing before and having trying to find one closer to my home. She seems to be well regarded by all of you, so I will definitely make every attempt to attend one of her classes.

Be Safe

Jerry said:

Fina a class being taught by Kathie West, she is great and it is a certification class. . .

Earl Culvey said:

I am the ICO at my house. I have no formal training, but am looking for some. I do have the cooperation of the local hospital IC Nurse. Also, suprisingly enough, my local OSHA office has been very helpful. They didn't even give me a fine at the audit we just had and sent me helpful information for compliance.

I think alot of companies have the same problem we do. We are a small company full of just EMTs and paramedics. Very few of which have little if any college level education past their certifications. The company needed someone in there and asked if anyone could do it.

On that note. Anyone got any idea on some good programs out there that may be useful for a new ICO. I am really having trouble in finding any good prgrams and could use the help.

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