APIC Publishes Strategies for Demonstrating Infection Preventionist Competency

Paper outlines focused approach for ongoing competency assessment and documentation

Arlington, Va., December 4, 2024 - Continual competency assessment, documentation, and advancement should be conducted throughout an infection preventionist's (IP's) career, according to a commentary article published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

Developed by APIC's Professional Development Committee, the article, "A Framework for Defining and Documenting Infection Preventionist Competency," provides strategies for developing and detailing competency within the IP profession. The paper cites the importance of recording processes for onboarding newly hired IPs, detailing competency during accreditation and regulatory surveys, and maintaining ongoing professional development throughout one's career.

In defining competence, the authors state that, "competency is not determined by any single achievement or factor alone, but rather by a process of acquiring and demonstrating the observable and measurable knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors required for effective job performance."

"A license or certification is one aspect of competency, but certification by itself does not demonstrate one's competency," said lead author Christine Zirges, DNP, ACNS-BC, CIC, FAPIC. "Continued competency assessment and documentation should be conducted throughout an IP's career, including at organization-defined intervals, when job duties expand or change, and when advancing through career stages."

The authors emphasize that IPs should be able to articulate their facility's competency assessment program and provide supporting documentation during regulatory and accreditation visits.

"With a growing focus on infection prevention and control from regulators and accrediting bodies, IPs are increasingly required to provide evidence of their competency during regulatory surveys," said Dr. Zirges. "This article was developed, in part, to support IPs in responding to accreditor inquiries about their competency during survey visits."

"The paper, developed by our Professional Development Committee, outlines a comprehensive approach to help IPs develop an overall competency management program and is a much-needed resource for our profession," said 2024 APIC President, Tania Bubb, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC. "The expanding scope of responsibilities highlights the critical need for ongoing competency evaluation and professional growth throughout an IP's career."

APIC offers competency assessment and development resources including those found within the Infection Preventionist Career Development and Advancement Guide.

About APIC

Founded in 1972, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading association for infection preventionists and epidemiologists. With more than 15,000 members, APIC advances the science and practice of infection prevention and control. APIC carries out its mission through research, advocacy, and patient safety; education, credentialing, and certification; and fostering development of the infection prevention and control workforce of the future. Together with our members and partners, we are working toward a safer world through the prevention of infection. Join us and learn more at apic.org .

About AJIC

As the official peer-reviewed journal of APIC, The American Journal of Infection Control(AJIC) is the foremost resource on infection control, epidemiology, infectious diseases, quality management, occupational health, and disease prevention. Published by Elsevier, AJIC also publishes infection control guidelines from APIC and the CDC. AJIC is included in Index Medicus and CINAHL. Visit AJIC at ajicjournal.org.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

"A Framework for Defining and Documenting Infection Preventionist Competency," by Christine C. Zirges, Eileen R. Sherman, Julietta Davidson, Kelly Holmes, Holly Taylor, Renee Brum, Letty Kluttz, and Stephanie Holley, was published online in AJIC on November 2, 2024. Available at: https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(24)00823-X/fulltext

AUTHORS

Christine C. Zirges, DNP, ACNS-BC, CIC, FAPIC

SSM Health, St. Louis, MO

Eileen R. Sherman, MS, CIC, FAPIC

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Julietta Davidson, BS, RNC-NIC, CIC

Behavioral Health Administration, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Olympia, WA

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC

Infection Prevention & Management Associates, St. Louis, MO

Holly Taylor, MPH, CIC

Ascension, Austin, TX

Renee Brum, MSN-IPC, RN, CIC, CPHQ

Corewell Health West, Grand Rapids, MI

Letty Kluttz, MBA

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Arlington, VA

Stephanie Holley, MBA, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC (Corresponding author: [email protected] )

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Arlington, VA

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