Dr. Al Mohajer serves as Chief, Infectious Diseases Section at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. He is also the Treasurer of the CBIC Board of Directors.
Writing a rationale can feel daunting, but it’s really about telling your story in a way that aligns with what the reviewers are looking for. Think of it as explaining why you’re a great fit for the criteria and how your experiences have shaped your qualifications.
Here’s a tip:Be specific and make it personal.
When addressing a criterion, start by showing you understand why it’s important. Then, share a real-life example that highlights how you’ve met it. Don’t just say what you did—explain why it mattered and what impact it had. Finally, tie it back to the certification. Show how this experience makes you the perfect candidate.
For example:
“When leading a hospital-wide hand hygiene initiative, I coordinated a team of 20 staff members to implement new protocols. Within six months, we saw a 25% drop in healthcare-associated infections. This not only reinforced my leadership skills but also showed me how small changes can lead to significant outcomes. I believe this aligns perfectly with the program’s focus on driving measurable improvements in infection control.”
See how that example connects the dots between your experience, the criteria, and what you bring to the table? That’s what makes a rationale stand out.
Written by Mayar Al Mohajer, MD, MBA, CAQ, CIC, LTC-CIP, AL-CIP, CPHQ, CPPS, LBBH, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA, FAPIC
