Written by Carole W. Kamangu , MPH, RN, CIC 

IP Spotlight: Carole W. Kamangu, MPH, RN, CIC is a seasoned nurse epidemiologist with business administration training who holds a certification in infection control. Her expertise focuses on applying infection prevention and control, public health and organizational leadership principles to consulting projects. She also applies her nonprofit leadership experience in strategic planning along with project and program management techniques to assist organizations in overcoming challenges and empowering success. Carole has achieved over $570,000 in healthcare cost savings by implementing effective infection control strategies in hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, and reduction of healthcare-associated infections. 
 
Carole has published work featured in online infection prevention and control educational and news platforms such as Infection Control Today® and has co-authored papers in peer-reviewed journals such as the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal. She has been featured on the “5 Second Rule” podcast produced by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and on Infection Control Today®. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world as we knew it spiraled, causing changes within society and further contributing to the rapid expansion of the infection prevention and control (IPC) profession. With the evolving nature of the healthcare landscape, infection preventionists (IPs) are now stepping into a new era. This role, which was initially reserved for nurses and relied on their clinical backgrounds, has now evolved far beyond the traditional task-related infection prevention role to a more collaborative role requiring leadership skills and a strategic-thinking mindset. These growing demands highlight the importance of equipping new IPs with the confidence and practical, on-the-ground skills needed to complement the required technical skills of the profession.   

The CIC certification through CBIC and the APIC Competency Model lay a strong foundation that demonstrates certified IPs’ technical proficiency and commitment to increasing their knowledge base and achieving competency in the field. While many new IPs strive to achieve certification in the early years of their careers, many find that their basic need to adapt to this dynamic field and the real-world scenarios they encounter requires hands-on guidance and support from experienced professionals to help them thrive in a rapidly evolving profession.  

Here is where our coaching program steps in. It provides a dynamic, experience-based roadmap that complements certification preparation and builds on competency skills and a strategic-thinking mindset that boosts the new IP’s confidence and skills to excel in their roles from the beginning of their careers.   

 Healthcare Leaders Champion Coaching for New IPs 

With input and feedback from new IPs, seeking mentoring, and IPC leaders alike, Dumontel Healthcare Consulting developed the Powerful IP™ coaching program to directly respond to the challenges faced by today’s new IPs.   

“In my opinion, this is a golden opportunity. Where were you when I started my IP career? Thank you so much for all your help and support of our fellow IPs.” – Wafa Alhasan, an Infection Prevention Coordinator, Mokena, Illinois   

“It would be amazing for you to start a coaching program for IPs! As a new IP, I would have loved to have the opportunity to be under the tutelage of an IP expert such as yourself. This is a resource that is needed within our profession, and it’s amazing that you’re willing to take this on.” – Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB, a System Infection Control Manager, Chicago, Illinois  

The Growing Demand for Targeted Coaching: Insights from New IPs 

 According to our self-assessment for new IPs, developed in December 2023, 85% of new IPs with less than a year to 3 years of experience, report feeling confident that they will excel in their new role; yet only 40% feel confident that they are fully prepared for its demands.   

Source: Courtesy of Dumontel Healthcare Consulting

Based on these assessment results and to better understand the current need for this coaching program among new infection preventionists, we opened a waitlist to accept 10 participants in the 2025 cohort. Within a few months, our waitlist has grown from 10 to 30, demonstrating the great need for this program among new IPs. Those waiting include IPs worldwide with experience levels ranging from less than a year to 3 years.  

Key Features of the Powerful IP™ Program: 

1. Comprehensive Training Approach: 

• Combines competency-based training with soft skills development. 

• Incorporates organizational leadership principles to cultivate emotionally intelligent leaders. 

2. Development Framework: 

• Based on the APIC Competency Model (link). 

• Includes the WHO’s Infection prevention and control in-service education and training curriculum handbook (link). 

• Aligns with CBIC core competency areas. 

• Draws from program coaches’ real-world experience. 

3. Real-World Applications: 

• Live sessions provide opportunities to apply skills learned. 

• Builds confidence regardless of initial competency levels. 

4. Access to Peer Support: 

• Complimentary 2-year access to an online community for new IPs. 

• Enables idea exchange and support among peers in the program. 

5. Leadership Development: 

• Focuses on systems-thinking and leadership skills to achieve patient safety and quality improvement goals. 

• Aims to reduce regulatory compliance burdens on IPC leaders. 

6. Community and Mentorship: 

• Builds relationships with experienced IP coaches, mentors, and fellow participants. 

• Fosters a supportive online community for professional growth. 

7. Program Impact: 

• Improves confidence, leadership buy-in, and engagement with frontline staff. 

• Demonstrates effectiveness in reducing healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates. 

Return on Investment (ROI) for Healthcare Leaders and Executives  

  Investing in coaching programs for healthcare executives and IPC program leaders provides many benefits. It is about promoting professional development and building resilient, high-performing teams that drive tangible results.   

• Cost savings and quality care: Well-trained and well-supported IPs build a strong foundation for effective IPC programs. They become more engaged in achieving organizational goals and are more satisfied with their jobs. This allows healthcare leaders to retain skilled professionals, save on rehiring and training costs, and promote patient safety through streamlined IPC activities.   

• Regulatory compliance and operational efficiency: Knowledgeable, well-trained IPs understand regulatory requirements and their role in maintaining their facility’s compliance. They enhance operational efficiency, promote patient safety, and strive for care practices that adhere to evidence-based and regulatory guidelines.   

Case Study: Kelvin  

Kelvin is an excellent example of success as a new IP. Before joining the Powerful IP™ program, Kelvin considered throwing in the towel. The challenges of his new role, constant resistance from staff, and lack of understanding of his role by management made him feel overwhelmed and powerless. Once he discovered our coaching program, his attitude and outlook on his professional choice dramatically improved. Kelvin went from appearing stressed and discouraged to being jovial and outspoken. He reports that he has become confident within six months of participating in the program and receives support from the frontline and management. Additionally, he has achieved the following improvements within his facility:  

• Within 3 months of implementing what he learned in the coaching program, SSI rates within his facility decreased by 30%.   

• After 6 months of participation in the coaching program, patient satisfaction in his facility increased by 60%   

Watch Kelvin’s success story.

“As the lead coach and mentor of the Powerful IP™ program, it is such an honor to positively impact the IPC profession. This opportunity allows me to share my knowledge, experience, and expertise as a strategic-thinking nurse epidemiologist to benefit new IPs worldwide.” – Carole W. Kamangu   

What’s Next?  

The rising demand for our coaching program shows the need for healthcare leaders to invest in the professional and emotional development of new IPs within this supportive community of experts and peers. Empowering your IPs through this program will boost their confidence and skills and strengthen your organization’s commitment to patient safety and quality of care. Registrations are currently open and will close on December 15, 2024. To register: https://www.dumontelhealthcareconsult.com/group-coaching/group-mentoring-and-coaching.  

If you are interested in registering a group of 3 or more new IPs and want to benefit from group discounts, please reach out to us directly at https://www.dumontelhealthcareconsult.com/contact . 

Sponsorships from organizations to support facilities with limited resources are also welcome.