P.Grad.Dip Healthcare Infection

In the modern healthcare setting, the effective management of infection invokes the skills and expertise of a wide range of medically and scientifically qualified professionals. A comprehensive understanding of the principles and practice of infection control and epidemiology is essential for the effective management of healthcare infection. The Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Infection is a new postgraduate qualification that is offered by the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin to meet the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to modern healthcare infection control. The course provides specialist teaching that is delivered in conjunction with partner organisations including St. James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital and the Health Service Executive. The course is offered to nurses, pharmacists, physicians, microbiologists, biomedical scientists, infection control specialists and public health workers. It is delivered using a combination of interactive lectures and seminars as well as laboratory demonstrations and discussion workshops.

Contact teaching is delivered in 4 taught modules. The P.Grad.Dip. in Healthcare Infection is offered as a 1-year full-time degree.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us - Email: renwickj@tcd.ie

The P.Grad.Dip. in Healthcare Infection aims to provide graduates with a comprehensive understanding of the multiple disciplines that must align to deliver effective control of human pathogens in the hospital and community settings. The course will provide foundation and advanced knowledge on the monitoring, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. At the end of the course graduates will be equipped with the knowledge to determine the correct approach and appropriate tools for managing healthcare infections.

Module 1: Basic and Molecular Microbiology (CM7007) - 15 ECTS

• Describe and discuss pathogens associated with human infection and disease
• Recognize pathogens predominant in the hospital environment
• Understand the use of serological and molecular diagnostic techniques
• Critically appraise the validity of molecular test results
• Explain the essential principles of infection control
• Become skilled in the design and deployment of nucleic acid amplification tests
• Define the role of the HPSC in monitoring and controlling infectious diseases
• Become proficient in writing and bibliographic tool

Module 2: Antimicrobial Therapy & Resistance (CM7003) - 15 ECTS

• Define the major types of antimicrobial drugs
• Understand the underlying mechanisms of resistance and how resistance is acquired by important hospital pathogens
• Perform antimicrobial sensitivity testing using various laboratory techniques
• Distinguish between antimicrobial resistance in the hospital and community
• Formulate a prescribing policy for an infectious disease
• Analyse the results of therapeutic drug monitoring
• Determine if antimicrobial therapy is working on a case-by-case basis
• Understand and appraise antimicrobial stewardship principles

Module 3: Epidemiology & Infection Control (CM7002) - 15 ECTS

• Understand the routes for disease transmission
• Describe and discuss the lab detection, epidemiology and typing of major healthcare associated microorganisms
• Define key infection prevention and control principles in a healthcare setting
• Create and design outbreak strategies to control the spread of infectious disease
• Evaluate and appraise methodologies to prevent infection in critical areas
• Track waste and contamination sources within hospitals

Module 4: Multidisciplinary Management of Infection (CM7004) - 15 ECTS

• Investigate the emergence of new infections
• Recognise infections that are notifiable
• Describe how to control a winter vomiting outbreak in a hospital
• Evaluate the use of point-of-care diagnostics
• Examine the success of infection control strategies based on measurables e.g. patient outcomes, budget costs, safety to staff and other contacts
• Prevention of nosocomial fungal infections and antifungal agents
• Ethics and research methodologies
• Infections associated with immunosuppression

Module 1: Basic and Molecular Microbiology (CM7007-A-Y-202324)
Week 1: 18th – 22nd September 2023
Week 2: 2nd – 6th October 2023
Exam: 100% continual assessment

Module 2: Antimicrobial Therapy & Resistance (CM7003-A-Y-202324)
Week 1: 23rd – 27th October 2023
Week 2: 6th – 10th November 2023
Exam: 100% continual assessment

Module 3: Epidemiology & Infection Control (CM7002-A-Y-202324)
Week 1: 27th Nov – 1st December 2023
Week 2: 111th – 15th December 2023
Exam: 100% continual assessment

Module 4: Multidisciplinary Management of Infection (CM7004-A-Y-202324)
Week 1: 8th – 12th January 2024
Week 2: 22nd – 26th January 2024
Exam: 100% continual assessment

The MSc in Healthcare Infection is a multi-disciplinary qualification which is primarily designed to support healthcare professionals or graduates. Our students often have backgrounds in medicine, pharmacy and nursing, and are currently in employment in these fields. The P.Grad.Dip in Healthcare Infection shares the same 4 core taught modules as the M.Sc. without the module 5 research project.
The P.Grad.Dip is an opportunity to enhance skills and knowledge applicable to infection control.

Past student testimonials of the M.Sc. partner course:

"I completed the MSc Healthcare Infection Management a few years ago and it really benefited me both personally and professionally. I was worried as it was a while since I did a third level course but I thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and learning forums which I could access in TCD. The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team expanded and I was appointed manager. While I have many years of hands-on experience, the course helped in my knowledge of IPC and my academic qualifications"

"The MSc in Healthcare Infection Management was one of the best and most enjoyable academic experiences I have had to date. The course was very well run and covered a wide variety of essential and current topics. The research component in particular was exceptional, and allowed me to gain invaluable skills that I have been able to apply throughout my continued education"

"The MSc in Healthcare Infection Management was of tremendous benefit to my career. Each module delivered a perfect blend of knowledge in healthcare and practical science gained from the research project module. This enabled me to transition smoothly into the Healthcare sector. I would therefore recommend this course to science students with a keen interest in working within the healthcare environment"

"I attended the course with the hope of gaining the knowledge and qualifications required for the post of surveillance scientist. I'm currently working in that post so the course was extremely beneficial to me"

"It was an exceptional and well thought out programme that I am deeply proud to have completed. I now work in the World Health Organisation and can utilise many skills and information that was given to me from the course"

Applications will normally be received from those who hold one of the following qualifications:

• A medical degree
• An honours degree in Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, or Microbiology (minimum of upper second-class award)
• An honours degree in another relevant science subject (minimum of upper second-class award)

Applications may also be received from individuals with a minimum three years Healthcare experience and relevant qualifications. Applicants meeting these requirements may be required to attend for interview.

All applications should be submitted via https://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/courses/healthcare-infection-msc/.

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must present a qualification in English Language e.g. IELTS: Grade 6.5 overall (no band grade below 6.0) https://www.ielts.org/

Please see TCD post-graduate English language requirements https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/admission-requirements/postgraduate/

Student fees can be obtained from the Financial Services Division (under Student Finance)

• Prof. Julie Renwick: Course Director and Coordinator
• Prof Johannes Wagener
• Dr Aia Mohammed
• Prof Tom Rogers
• Ms Naoise McGarry
• Mrs Lenora Leonard (Infection Control Specialist Nurse)

Prof Julie Renwick
Course Director
E: renwickj@tcd.ie

Prof Julie Renwick
Executive Officer
E: chgolden@tcd.ie