Infection Control Qualifications
Graduate Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control
Health care professionals are exposed to bacteria and viruses on a daily basis. For them, having up-to-date training in infection control is of utmost importance, however, educational opportunities are mostly limited to short courses, forums or on-the-job training.
This is about to change. Waiariki Institute of Technology, in consultation with leaders in the area of infection control, has developed the Graduate Certificate in Infection Control and Graduate Diploma in Infection Control, the first qualifications of their kind to be offered in New Zealand.
Pending ITP approval, the students could begin studying as early as July this year. Dr Patrea Andersen, associate director of Waiariki’s School of Nursing and Health Studies, expects the two Level 7 qualifications to be well received in the health care community.
“There has been a demand from health professionals for something at a higher level,” she said. In keeping with Waiariki’s policy to support industry needs, the School of Nursing and Health Studies saw an opportunity to expand its already robust and well-respected curriculum. Both qualifications support professional development and the graduate diploma is for those wanting to progress in the future to the master’s level, specialise in this area or undertake research.
Joining Waiariki to coordinate and teach the qualifications is Julian Ketel who holds a bachelor’s in infection control and has specialised in infection control for more than a decade.
“The main goal [of the qualifications] is taking the fundamental infection control principals several steps further, enabling health care professionals to become resources and advisors to their employers so health care facilities can meet the requirements of the mandatory New Zealand Health and Disability Services Standards,” Mr Ketel said. “Meeting standards also helps ensure that care delivery meets best practice and patient/client/staff safety is optimised.” |
