I connected with Kyle Mataya MPH, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP, CRCST, CER on LinkedIn after being incredibly impressed by the diversity in his experience and wanting to know more about his career path to become an Infection Prevention Nurse Consultant for the Defense Health Agency in San Diego California.
- Kyle, can you tell us how you got your start in infection prevention and control?
Answer: At 26 years old, I was a nurse eager for a better work-life balance, particularly wanting my weekends free. This led me to apply for an infection preventionist position at a nearby skilled nursing facility and, during Covid-19, an open IP position was not hard to come by. Reflecting on that decision now, I feel incredibly lucky and grateful that the universe guided me into a position where I could make a meaningful impact. Today, I genuinely love my work in infection prevention.
2. What motivated you to pursue the Certification in Infection Control (CIC®)?
Answer: I pursued the Certification in Infection Control (CIC®) because I was truly passionate about the field. It became a personal challenge for me to continuously improve and gain credibility among my colleagues, many of whom had more nursing experience. My motivation was not just about personal growth; I wanted to enhance my ability to serve as a leader for both my patients and my team. As soon as I had one year of experience, I took my exam still working at a SNF.
3. What steps did you take to prepare for the CIC®?
Answer: To prepare for the exam, I approached it from different angles that blended study with real-world experiences. Of course, I read every chapter of the APIC Text which helped me build a solid foundation then I practiced with exams to identify where I could improve and dive deeper. To stay updated on current issues, I subscribed to ProMed for email updates on global outbreaks, which allowed me to learn about infectious organisms and outbreak investigations that I may not be exposed to on a regular basis. While studying was important, I found that hands-on experience was the best teacher. Opportunities to apply my knowledge in practical settings, such as conducting TB exposure investigations and providing staff education on bloodborne pathogens really solidified those topics. By combining thorough study, practice exams, and practical experience, I felt ready to schedule my exam within 90 days of prep.
4. I see that you also hold the Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (LTC-CIP®), what inspired you to pursue both the CIC® and LTC-CIP®?
Answer: Long-term care facilities are often reservoirs for concerning pathogens like Candida auris and Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). Expertise in long-term care enhances an infection preventionist’s effectiveness in acute care, as patients frequently transition between these settings, carrying multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) with them. Given that long-term care residents often face complex medical conditions, I believe that acute care infection preventionists should pursue certification in long-term care to better address the unique challenges posed by these high-risk healthcare settings.
5. How have your CBIC certifications contributed to your professional growth and your ability to make an impact in infection prevention and control?
Answer: After achieving certification, my perspective shifted. I was no longer caught up in the minutia of daily tasks; instead, I focused on the big picture of our entire infection prevention program. My focus was pulled to investigating the root causes of problems rather than mitigating the effects of problems. I became more interested in performance improvement, constantly seeking ways to enhance our processes and outcomes. Quality ratings became a key area of interest, as I recognized their importance not just for our reputation, but as a reflection of the care we were providing to our patients. I started diving deeper into data analysis and trend identification.
This allowed me to spot potential issues before they became problems and to implement proactive measures. I also found myself more involved in policy development and staff education, using my expanded knowledge to create more comprehensive and effective strategies. Although certifications are not a replacement of experience, they demonstrate your passion, dedication to learn, and commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence. In summary, it shows your level of “go-getter-ism”!
6. What differences do you observe between infection prevention practices in long-term care versus acute care settings? How do your certifications help you navigate these differences?
Answer: The fundamentals of infection prevention are similar across long-term care and acute care settings, but the application of these principles can be significantly different. In long-term care, residents (not patients) often spend years, if not the rest of their lives in these facilities. These extended episodes create individual challenges for IP practices. LTC might focus more on preventing infections during activities of daily living, rather than procedure-associated infections. The infrastructure and staffing models in long-term care also different dramatically. A key contrast is the prevalence of certain organisms. Long-term care facilities often struggle with controlling colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms. My dual certifications in both acute and long-term care (CIC® and LTC-CIP®) have been invaluable in helping me navigate these differences. They’ve given me an inclusive understanding of infection prevention across the healthcare spectrum, allowing better coordination and mentorship between acute and long-term care facilities.
7. What advice would you give to someone that is interested in pursuing CBIC certification?
Answer: I would advise someone interested in pursuing CBIC certification to approach it with the right mindset and purpose. It isn’t just a fancy few letters to add to your resume (It is fancy TBH!) but It’s a transformative activity that prepares you to become a capable critical thinker. It isn’t just the exam itself but more importantly the preparation leading up the certification that holds all the value. I encourage individuals at all levels of experience to seek certification because you aren’t just earning a credential; you’re increasing your ability to protect patients in a significant way.
8. I see that you are also a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) and a Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Can you tell me about your experience in sterile processing and what inspired you to earn the CRST and CER?
Answer: When I transitioned from long-term care to acute care, I discovered a whole new world of sterilization and high-level disinfection. I realized that to be efficient in my role as a lone IP, I needed to build strong relationships and credibility with the sterile processing team. I decided to get down and dirty in decontam and reprocess items myself under their guidance. This experience as a servant leader was incredibly valuable and I am deeply grateful for their high risk work. After all, the people who do the work know it best.
After gaining and applying my knowledge, I decided to reinforce my expertise by pursuing the CRCST and CER. Earning these certifications has enhanced my understanding in this crucial area and strengthened my ability to collaborate and appreciate all players on the safety team. In order to be the best Infection Preventionist I can be, I must learn and adapt to different environments, communities, and disciplines.
9. How do your certifications complement each other in your daily practice? Can you provide an example where your knowledge in infection control and sterile processing worked together to address a particular challenge?
Answer: My certifications complement each other especially during my tracer events. for example, I am able to follow a patient from the emergency room to Pre-op, Intra-op then follow the tools down to sterile processing from decontam to the washer, sorting and packaging, to sterilization, and storage. This helped me be able to truly follow a process from start to finish. The main reason I pursued certification was that I spent most of my career as the sole IP. If I was going to be the go-to expert in my role, I knew I needed to be certified to back it up. Our job also involves changing behaviors, and I believe the best way to do that is by being part of the team and inspiring change from within. By connecting with others as an equal who shares similar experiences rather than a superior, I can build trust and encourage positive changes in a more relatable way.
10. How has earning a master’s in public health (MPH) influenced your approach to infection prevention and control, and how do you integrate public health principles into your day-to-day work?
Answer: Earning an MPH was extremely helpful in developing my leadership skills, personally I think all bachelor programs need to include a leadership, integrity, and professionalism course. I was able to learn and practice things I never considered like drafting a research proposal and grants that would fund that research. I was able to draft an entire program aimed at increasing access to healthy and affordable food in critical access areas for low income communities. I never considered the principles of social media and its capability to influence public health. I was even able to apply my knowledge of infection prevention to a home health setting during my applied practice experience internship. In summary, my MPH gave me the skills to assess and address societal issues. I integrate this mindset into my practice by approaching public health challenges with community-based strategies and evidence-based perspectives.
11. Is there anything else that you would like to share with CBIC’s network?
Answer: I would just like to say thank you to all those patient safety friends out there. A tip that I have learned over the years is to seek out mentorship whether official or not. Even the best experts out there learned from someone somewhere on how to achieve greatness. I also encourage everyone to be continual learners, no matter how much experience or education you have, there is always something new to add to your skillset. Whatever you set your mind to you can achieve. As Tony Robbins says, “the best resource is resourcefulness.”
Kyle, these certifications are a testament to your commitment to enhancing healthcare quality and patient safety. CBIC wishes you continued success and the best of luck in all your future endeavors!