Benefit from a training grant and become a Hygiene Officer

According to the German Society for Hospital Hygiene (DGKH), around one million patients catch infections each year in German clinics - and 40,000 of them die as a result. The DGKH considers that correct hygiene would enable one half of these infections to be avoided. The TÜV NORD Training Centre will soon be starting training courses leading to qualification as Hygiene Officer or Examined Disinfector. Until June, those who are interested in the training can obtain a state grant for part funding of the course.

Whether in hospitals, care institutions or other areas in the health sector, new and resistant strains of bacteria and other infections are leading to ever stricter requirements regarding correct and effective hygiene. The hospital hygiene ordinances of the Laender, which are based on the German Infection Protection Act, which was amended in 2011, therefore require that Hygiene Officers who play an active role in hygiene and infection prevention are employed in German hospitals. The Hygiene Officers are also under an obligation to undertake regular further training.

Starting on 17 March, the TÜV NORD Training Centre in Kiel will be offering a five-day training course leading to qualification as Hygiene Officer for work in the medical and care sectors. The course leading to qualification as Examined Disinfector will begin on 11 April at TÜV NORD in Norderstedt. This course will take place on six weekends in parallel to participants’ normal work, and also includes three days of practical training in the area of microbiology. “Both courses are eligible for grant funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)”, says Claus Frankenstein, Managing Director of the TÜV NORD Training Centre. “So those who are in work and are interested in the training should contact their local further training association (Weiterbildungsverbund) in order to submit a grant application.” Up to one half of the course fees can be covered by the grant, which is issued in the form of a training voucher. However, the funding period already comes to an end on 30 June, which is why those who wish to take advantage should apply in good time.

The task of the Hygiene Officer in the care and medical fields is to advise the employees at their place of work on all questions relevant to hygiene. The prerequisite for participation in the training course in Kiel is therefore qualification as a state-recognised nurse followed by several years of experience. “During the five-day training course, in addition to legal aspects, the themes covered include medical microbiology, person, patient and food hygiene and also infection prevention”, says Silke Kossel, Head of Training at TÜV NORD. “Those who complete the course receive the best-possible preparation for work in the field of hygiene.”

In addition to hospitals and care institutions, correct hygiene is also essential in the emergency services, in food production and preparation facilities, and in cleaning services and pest control. This is where trained Disinfectors work to ensure hygiene and a reduction in microbes and bacteria. Training as “Examined Disinfector” is available at the TÜV NORD Training Centre in Norderstedt. The prerequisite for those wishing to participate is a completed course of vocational training as well as the required level of health, which has to be established by a doctor. Course content includes basic principles of infection, reducing the numbers of microbes and bacteria, disinfection and sterilisation, disinfection and sterilisation methods, creation of hygiene plans, pests and vermin and current legislation.

“We also offer both training courses on an in-house basis, to be held at our clients’ premises. Here, we focus on the hygiene requirements of the individual institutions or companies”, explains Claus Frankenstein. The TÜV NORD Training Centre team will be happy to advise you on all aspects of the training courses at tsn-kiel@tuev-nord.de or tsn-norderstedt@tuev-nord.de - or feel free to call on 040/529001174.