Certification will empower you. It will build your knowledge base and help you truly be the expert in reducing the risk of infections. It will build your confidence and your ability to be an effective leader.
The pandemic has forced me to grow as a better collaborator, a quicker thinker, and a stronger problem solver. I’ve been able to witness remarkable triumphs of scientific technology and public health with testing, treatment, and vaccination. I’ve also had to learn how to provide emotional support to patients and team members, how to be a calming voice amongst the chaos, and how to be a leader in the field of infection prevention. I can truthfully say that I am proud to hold my CIC® and look forward to what the rest of my IP career has to offer.
After achieving my CIC certification the confidence level in me was at its peak. And I got special consideration, a key role in prevention of Covid-19 pandemic in the form of education of healthcare workers, strategies for Covid-19 vaccination and I was a part of research team in publication of transmission of Covid-19 in healthcare workers. During my certification various clinical scenarios in the form of disease transmission, mode of transmission and its prevention were very helpful in implementation of infection prevention strategies like case definition, outbreak management isolation practices, screening of high risk patients and healthcare workers, vaccination strategies and significance of vaccination in hesitant workers.
Becoming certified shows a commitment to best practices in infection prevention and control and improved care regardless of the facility type in which one practices.
Being Certified in Infection Control (CIC®) not only shows that I have the experience, knowledge, and capabilities as an infection preventionist. It helped me gain confidence that I am a subject expert who can help my team and other facility stakeholders provide evidence-based practices by promoting the infection prevention and control program to promote patient safety.
Being a CIC is not just letters or words that can be added after your name. It is a legacy that you can show the world that you have the knowledge and you can confidently manage any facility, any infections, any outbreak with patient safety in mind in making the world safe thru infection prevention.
Being a CIC to me means that I am considered as a subject matter expert to my peers and within my organization.
Achieving the CIC has been a professional and personal milestone that I am particularly proud of. This nationally recognized credential signifies my commitment to ongoing professional development based on my philosophy of being a life-long learner. The CIC designation carries a lot of respect in the health care community and has tremendous potential in furthering one’s career and profession.
I have stayed an IP because every day I am able to use my clinical skills, knowledge, creativity, impact and influence to make a difference.
