Health, Public Health & Safety
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
Standard precautions and IPC practice for health facilities and community services.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Standard precautions and IPC practice for health facilities and community services. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
Programme at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Chain of infection and standard precautions |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Hand hygiene and PPE use |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Cleaning, disinfection and waste management |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Isolation, triage and outbreak IPC |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | IPC monitoring, audit and training |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • Health workers, facility teams, safety focal persons and community health volunteers.
- • Programme staff whose work includes prevention, preparedness, surveillance, safety or community engagement.
- • Learners seeking structured professional development in public-health and safety practice.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Apply standard precautions correctly
- Run an IPC audit in a facility
- Train colleagues on hand hygiene and PPE
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Chain of infection and standard precautions
Weeks 1–2Apply chain of infection and standard precautions through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within chain of infection and standard precautions
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for chain of infection and standard precautions.
- 2
Hand hygiene and PPE use
Weeks 3–4Study hand hygiene and PPE use in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within hand hygiene and PPE use
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying hand hygiene and PPE use to a realistic setting.
- 3
Cleaning, disinfection and waste management
Weeks 5–6Apply cleaning, disinfection and waste management through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within cleaning, disinfection and waste management
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for cleaning, disinfection and waste management.
- 4
Isolation, triage and outbreak IPC
Weeks 7–8Study isolation, triage and outbreak IPC in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within isolation, triage and outbreak IPC
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying isolation, triage and outbreak IPC to a realistic setting.
- 5
IPC monitoring, audit and training
Weeks 9–12Examine IPC monitoring, audit and training as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
What you cover
- Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for IPC monitoring, audit and training
- Appropriate data sources, methods and quality checks
- Interpretation, documentation and decision-ready reporting
Assessed work: Produce and review a working analysis or evidence tool for IPC monitoring, audit and training.
Practical project / portfolio
Facility IPC audit with an improvement action plan.
Teaching & learning approach
- Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Facility IPC audit with an improvement action plan.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- Strengthen performance in community health, facility support, safety, preparedness or programme-assistant roles.
- Use the practical project as evidence of applied professional development in your current workplace.
- Progress to related SLIHSD public-health, safety or emergency-management study where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 2,500.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Ready to start Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.