Michelle Farber, RN, CIC, 2012 president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, recently discussed the changing role of infection preventionists and APIC's recently announced infection prevention competency model in a guest blog for the CDC.
Until recently, there was no way to measure or evaluate infection preventionists' knowledge and skills. The competency model outlines the skills needed to advance the infection prevention field and was created to help direct infection preventionists' professional development at all career stages. The model illustrates four critical areas of expertise that are needed for expanding infection preventionists' role, including leadership and program management; performance improvement and implementation science; infection prevention and control; and technical expertise.
Ms. Farber urged healthcare leaders to assess how to market the value of board certification to institutions, link the competency model to job descriptions and influence greater adoption of the competency model.
Until recently, there was no way to measure or evaluate infection preventionists' knowledge and skills. The competency model outlines the skills needed to advance the infection prevention field and was created to help direct infection preventionists' professional development at all career stages. The model illustrates four critical areas of expertise that are needed for expanding infection preventionists' role, including leadership and program management; performance improvement and implementation science; infection prevention and control; and technical expertise.
Ms. Farber urged healthcare leaders to assess how to market the value of board certification to institutions, link the competency model to job descriptions and influence greater adoption of the competency model.
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