In a recent interview with Jacob Hutcherson from the Voice for Infection Prevention, Cristine Lacerna, DNP, MPH, RN, CIC, CPH shared her thoughts on the ideal background for candidates in infection prevention and the qualities she values most when building her team. While job descriptions often stipulate a nursing background, Cristine emphasized that this is not the most crucial factor for her. Instead, she places a higher value on practical experience in healthcare, public health, or program management.
Cristine believes in providing opportunities for gaining experience as a way to grow the profession and her team. She explained, “You don’t necessarily need to be an infection preventionist. Any experience in healthcare, public health, or managing programs is what I’m looking for.” This broader perspective allows her to consider candidates with diverse backgrounds who can bring valuable skills to the role.
Beyond the specific experiences listed in job descriptions, Cristine looks for qualities that are not explicitly written. She views hiring as a leap of faith, as the true measure of a candidate’s fit and capabilities often becomes apparent only after working with them for some time. Fortunately, her hires have consistently exceeded expectations, reinforcing her approach.
Cristine also values development and potential in her candidates. She seeks individuals who show a willingness to develop, take risks, and think creatively. “I would like to be able to develop people, and if they have potential and you sense that during the interview, how they answer or how their career had been, open for adventure because I think that’s what infection prevention is on a daily basis and able to think outside the box,” she noted.
Infection prevention often feels restricted by traditional practices, so Cristine looks for individuals who can think outside the box. Her approach highlights the need to focus on broader qualities that contribute to effective and dynamic teams, ensuring that the field continues to evolve and improve.