Written by Debbie Slutzky
Part one of our two-part blog series
Professional associations and their certifying boards are integral to the development and maintenance of standards within various fields. This relationship is characterized by mutual support and shared objectives, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to meet the demands of their respective industries.
A professional association typically serves as a hub for individuals within a specific profession while a certifying board, often a subsidiary or affiliated entity of the association, focuses on the certification process.
This blog explains the relationship between the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC®) and the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC®).
APIC® is the leading professional association for infection preventionists (IPs). Their mission is to advance the science and practice of infection prevention and control. It serves as a hub for IPs, and its foundational elements include:
- Membership and Networking: APIC® provides a platform for IP professionals to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate. Membership comes with benefits including access to free and discounted member resources, events, practical tips, and solutions.
- Research: The APIC® Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation (CRPI) is dedicated to creating a clear and concise pathway from evidence generation for best practices to the dissemination of practice guidance and implementation tools.
- Education: APIC® offers comprehensive infection prevention education and professional development courses, group training, annual conference, and certification preparation training and courses. Programs are designed to enhance skills and knowledge in the world of infection prevention and control.
- Advocacy and Public Policy: APIC® Government Affairs staff and Public Policy Committee work to ensure that legislators and regulators have the best information to help them develop policies that carry out APIC®’s mission.
- Professional Practice Guidance: APIC® provides evidence-based, scientific, and proven resources to IPs, healthcare professionals, and patients to ensure consistency and quality in professional practice.
CBIC® is a voluntary, autonomous, multidisciplinary board that provides direction for and administers the certification process for professionals in infection control and applied epidemiology. Its mission is to provide pathways to demonstrate and maintain competence in infection prevention and control. CBIC® is a subsidiary of APIC®, and its key functions include:
- Certification Standards: CBIC® establishes certification standards that IP professionals, at all levels of their career, must meet to demonstrate their competence and expertise. These standards are developed through a rigorous process involving subject matter experts from the field. CBIC®’s certifications include a-IPC™, CIC®, LTC-CIP®, and AL-CIP™.
- Examination and Assessment: CBIC® develops and administers certification exams and assessments to evaluate candidates’ knowledge, skills, and abilities. This ensures that certified professionals meet the required standards.
- Credentialing: Upon successful completion of the certification process, CBIC® awards credentials to professionals, recognizing their expertise and commitment to the field.
- Maintenance of Certification: CBIC® certified professionals are required to engage in continuing education and professional development to maintain their credentials. This ensures that they stay current with advancements in the field of infection control.
Now that you have a better understanding of what an association and certifying board each do, look for part two for clarity on how they interact and support each other.
To be continued……….