Learning Pathway Content


Learning Pathway Description



The Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control for Public Health Professionals Learning Pathway is designed to introduce–or reinforce–the basic skills that serve as the pillars of the work we do in infection prevention and control or IPC. This learning pathway is designed specifically for public health professionals who have front line or program support responsibilities in infection protection and control. This pathway is a good match for you if you are looking for an introduction to public health IPC or looking to freshen up your skills. Covering many of the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, Racial Justice Competencies, and Essential Skills identified by IPC professionals, this pathway provides the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to any IPC public health professional.



Learning Objectives

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


  • Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services.
  • Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health.
  • Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health and ecosystem health.
  • Describe the key factors impacting the incidence and spread of disease, injury, or health outcome (i.e. agent, host, environment)
  • Describe different modes of transmission.
  • Describe the role of vaccination and other control measures in preventing disease spread.
  • List the goals and levels of case management for infectious diseases
  • Distinguish among isolation, quarantine, and social distancing. 
  • Explain three key strategies for effective health communication. 
  • Define Systems Thinking and describe its application in understanding and resolving complex problems. 
  • Consider one professional goal related to promoting health and racial equity in IPC practice.
  • Recognize the signs and impacts of stigma in health care and public settings.
  • Recognize the role of public health literacy in meeting core public health services. 

Course curriculum

    1. Overview

    2. Tim's Introductory Video

    3. How to receive CPH credits after completing this course

    1. Foundations of Public Health Practice

    2. Boots on the Ground: Foundational Epidemiology

    3. Basic Infectious Disease Concepts in Epidemiology

    4. Key Takeaways from Foundations of PH, IPC, and Data

    1. Public Health Workforce Protection

    2. Isolation and Quarantine

    3. Infectious Disease Case Management

    4. Every Contact Counts: Contact Tracing for Public Health

    5. Key Takeaways from IPC in Action

    1. Introduction to Systems Thinking

    2. Communicating Effectively

    3. Key Takeaways from Essential Skills

    1. Recognizing and Challenging Stigma

    2. Health Literacy for Health Professionals

    3. Reflections on Health and Racial Equity

    4. Resource: Racial Justice Competency Model

    5. Key Takeaways from Health and Racial Equity

    1. Introduction to IPC for Public Health Professionals Job Aid

    2. Job Aid

    3. Learning Assessment

    4. Keep Learning, Navigator

    5. Resource: Project Firstline Website

    6. Resource: NNPHI's Project Frontline Website

    7. Report: Essential Skills and Training Needs for Infection Prevention and Control, Healthcare Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance

About this course

  • Free
  • Self-Paced
  • 13.5 hours

Join the Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control for Public Health Professionals Community

Connect with other IPC public health professionals taking this course.

  • Ask questions to peers working to solve similar problems in their communities

  • Join discussions about new programs and possibilities in public health

  • Get access to resources and tools from peers and experts across the country

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