In this episode, Carleen Smith, CIC, CAIP, CST, CHL, CRST, MPLC, LMT shares her unique career path and insights on healthcare certifications, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the future of AI in clinical environments. Her story emphasizes lifelong learning, mentorship, and embracing diverse backgrounds to advance healthcare practices.

In this insightful interview, Amber Taylor shares her remarkable journey to IP. After her MPH, IP interviews ended promptly at her lack of nursing credentials. She took the long road and went to nursing school to attain her IP goals. Discover how her diverse experiences, from public health policy work, psych nursing to IP have shaped her impactful career and offer valuable advice for aspiring infection preventionists. Amber shares her thoughts on the importance of certifications like CIC and a-IPC, and provides practical advice for aspiring infection preventionists. Discover how networking, continuous learning, and perseverance can open doors in this vital field.

In this episode, Ivan G interviews Brittney Davis, an infection preventionist at UNC Wayne, who shares her journey into the field of infection prevention. Brittney discusses how her interest was sparked during her capstone project for her Master’s in Public Health, where she worked closely with an infection preventionist. Despite her academic background, she highlights the lack of exposure to infection prevention in her public health curriculum, which led her to explore this niche further.

Brittney recounts the challenges she faced in securing a position in infection prevention after graduation, emphasizing the frustrating catch-22 of needing experience to gain experience. She eventually enrolled in nursing school to meet the qualifications for infection prevention roles.

Throughout the conversation, Brittney reflects on the realities of being an infection preventionist, including the unexpected aspects of the job, such as dealing with insects and the importance of building rapport with healthcare staff. Her insights provide a valuable perspective on the intersection of public health and clinical practice, as well as the need for greater awareness of infection prevention in educational programs.

In this conversation, Ebow H-Smith shares his unique career journey from a volunteer firefighter to a leader in sterile processing and infection prevention. He discusses the importance of education, intentional collaboration across departments, and the need for lifelong learning in healthcare quality and patient safety. Ebow emphasizes the significance of mastering one's field, advocating for patient safety, and the role of diversity in enhancing healthcare outcomes. 

In this episode, host Ivan Gowe speaks with Ashley Reyes, an infection preventionist, about her journey into the field, the importance of collaboration in infection prevention, and the challenges faced in managing infection outbreaks. They discuss the significance of work-life balance for healthcare professionals and share insights on building successful infection prevention programs.

In this engaging conversation, Jill Holdsworth shares her unconventional journey into the field of infection prevention, highlighting the importance of diverse backgrounds and the need for mentorship in the profession. She discusses the challenges faced by non-RNs in securing IP roles, the significance of certification, and the evolving landscape of infection prevention post-pandemic. Jill emphasizes the value of building relationships within healthcare teams and the necessity for aspiring IPs to take initiative in their career development. The discussion culminates in advice for the next generation of infection preventionists, underscoring the importance of willingness to learn and help others.

Carmen is an infection prevention leader whose career path took her from aspiring dentist to adhesives chemist to epidemiologist and IP director. Carmen shares candid stories from her time in Alaska, insights on mentorship, hiring challenges, turnover, and the future of the infection prevention workforce.

In this engaging conversation, Chaz Rhone, Assistant VP of Infection Prevention at HCA Healthcare, shares his unique journey in the field of infection prevention. He emphasizes the importance of diverse educational pathways and the critical role of leadership development in the profession. Chaz advocates for certification as an equalizer in assessing candidates and discusses the future of infection prevention, including the impact of AI and the necessity for succession planning. He also addresses the challenges of burnout and the importance of work-life balance, providing valuable insights for current and aspiring infection preventionists.

In this conversation, MJ Joseph shares her journey from medicine to infection prevention, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, certifications, and training in the field. She discusses the challenges faced in healthcare, particularly regarding staffing and environmental services, and highlights the critical role of data analysis in making informed decisions. MJ also offers insights into mentoring new infection preventionists and the importance of personal well-being in a demanding profession.