Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 

1. Identify fundamental concepts of epidemiology and microbiology as they relate to IP&C
2. Examine and investigate scenarios to practice problem-solving for IP&C
3. Practice critical thinking and management skills for engaging in:
   • routine practices and additional precautions,
   • surveillance,
   • outbreak control of infections and disease within clinical and public health settings
4. Apply research, teaching, and life-long learning skills through engagement within a case-based, online learning community

Course Format

IPAC Canada has endorsed this course which has recently been redesigned to update the Infection Prevention and Control content and to reflect current pedagogical strategies. The course will cover all the IPAC Canada (Infection Prevention and Control Canada--formerly Community and Hospital Infection Control Association)/ APIC (Association for Practitioners in Infection Control and Epidemiology) professional practice standards. The curriculum is also based on the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology's (CBIC) Examination Content Outline, available on the CBIC website.

We survey outgoing learners each cohort and per the latest surveys they confirm an average of between 7-12 hours per week spent on the coursework. This is the combination of modules, discussions, assignments and quizzes each week. This varied depending on the learner's comfort level with that week's topics and their prior experience in the IPAC field.

Language Requirements

English is the language of instruction for the Online Infection Prevention and Control Professional Development Course and will be the language used by the participants and by the instructors of this course to communicate orally as well as electronically. 

All applicants accepted into this course must have a level of comprehension in the English language that will enable them to communicate effectively with their instructors and fellow classmates.

Course Layout

This course consists of 12 modules spread across 18 weeks with accompanying assessments each week. One module is released per week and all learners go through each module during the same week, as a cohort.

The course includes the following modules:

• Lifelong Learning: Principles of Adult Learning and Evidence-based Medicine and Literature Searching (1 week)
• Infectious Disease Processes: Clinical Microbiology (2 weeks)
• Routine Practices and Additional Precautions (2 weeks)
• Disinfection, Sterilization and Construction (2 weeks)
• Employee and Occupational Health (2 weeks)
• Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation (5 weeks)
• Epidemiology of Health Care Acquired Infections (2 weeks)
• Public Health and Education (1 week)
• Management and Communication in Infection Prevention and Control (1 week)

Assessments

The assessments can be weighed anywhere from 2 - 10%, they consist of quizzes, assignments, and interactive scenarios. You are expected to complete the assessments at a time that works best in your schedule. For consistency purposes, all weekly assessments will be due by Sunday at 11:30 p.m., Eastern Time (ET).

If you have any concerns regarding accessibility, please reach out to the coordinator at queensic@queensu.ca to discuss options prior to processing payment.

Live Sessions

This course has a synchronous component where students are expected to attend a minimum of three live sessions within the 18 weeks. These will consist of either webinars or Ask Me Anything online sessions (all sessions are held in Eastern time zone).

• Ask Me Anything (AMA) is a chance for you to virtually connect with the instructors/subject matter experts in real time. These will be one to two hour Zoom sessions that will occur throughout the semester at different times and dates. The instructor may present on a specific topic or keep the conversation open for questions only from you. This will be your chance to ask about their specific module, question, answer, topic, pick their brain etc. We will post announcements throughout the term about upcoming AMA dates.

Outline

This course has been endorsed by IPAC-Canada.

Please note that this course does not equate to being a certified infection control practitioner. For more information on Certification in Infection Control (CIC) please refer to the CBIC website.

You will receive a certificate of completion from taking this course as long as you complete all assignments and quizzes and finish the course with a 70% average or higher.  

Program Structure  

There are three broad parts that reflect the type of learning activity and its objectives: knowledge gathering, knowledge practice and knowledge sharing.

1. Knowledge gathering occurs by a wide variety of methods: assigned readings, self-directed research, etc.
2. Knowledge practice involves assigned case studies of infection control problems, short answer questions and online quizzes. There will be individual assignments as well.
3. Knowledge sharing is a huge part of this course. Students' progress through the phases of knowledge gathering, practice and sharing will be continuously monitored. Your assignments will be graded and you will receive feedback on your performance throughout the course.

Course Dates

Winter 2023: February 27, 2023 - July 2, 2023. Register online.

Fall 2023:  Please sign up for the Queen's Infection Prevention & Control Online Professional Development Course Mailing list to receive information on upcoming course dates and registration details.

Fees and Refund Policies

Fee - Winter 2023: $1599.00 CAD

In order to confirm a place in this course, you must pay the full fee at the time of registration.
Only online credit card payments will be accepted. Payments will be taken through the online registration system.

Register for Winter 2023

Discounted Group Rates

Refund Policies are firm and strictly enforced. 

Please be aware that a $42 admin fee will be charged per person for any refund. Refunds are not available for promotional codes that are not applied at the time of registration. Learners must ensure that they process and confirm any intended withdrawals by February 1, 2023 since unawareness of the deadline or its consequences will not be accepted. No special financial consideration is given to Learners who must withdraw after the deadline. Learners should be aware that when they withdraw from a course at any time after the refund deadline, they have effectively occupied a place in the class for the entire term. Since space in classes is limited, an underlying principle of this policy is to ensure that as many opportunities as possible are left open for learners seeking to register.

Weekly Dedicated Time is Necessary

The IPC program will require 7-12 hours per week on average doing coursework. This is the combination of modules, discussions, assignments and quizzes each week. Please confirm that you are committing to these hours. No special financial consideration is given to Learners who were unaware of the hours this course entails. One module opens per week and everyone goes through each week together as a cohort. There is no opportunity to work ahead.

Review of all IPC Course Information

Please ensure you read and understand the information about what the program entails on the IPC Overview webpage, prior to registering for the program. Failure to clarify any questions about how the course is laid out before registration will not be considered for refund after the February 1, 2023 deadline.

Any questions surrounding the program can be sent to queensic@queensu.ca 

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No refund will be given for withdrawal requests received after 3pm ET on February 1, 2023. Please be aware that a $42 admin fee will be charged per person for any refund.

Registration is non-transferable.

Registration:

Register for Winter 2023.

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