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What Public Health Staff Need to Know About the CIC

What Public Health Staff Need to Know About the CIC. Cathy Egan, MBA, CPHI(C), CIC Network Coordinator Waterloo Wellington Infection Control Network. What is the CIC?. CIC = Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology

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What Public Health Staff Need to Know About the CIC

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  1. What Public Health Staff Need to Know About the CIC Cathy Egan, MBA, CPHI(C), CIC Network Coordinator Waterloo Wellington Infection Control Network

  2. What is the CIC? • CIC = Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology • Internationally recognized level of excellence in infection control achieved through passing an examination

  3. What is the CBIC? • CBIC – Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology • Recognized by APIC (US) and CHICA (Canada) as the standard for certification

  4. The CBIC is … • Administrator of the certification process for infection control and epidemiology • Voluntary, autonomous multidisciplinary board • Accredited by National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA)

  5. What is the CIC for? • provides standardized measurement of current basic knowledge • encourages individual growth and study • promotes professionalism among ICPs • recognizes ICPs with a formal credential

  6. Why should Public Health staff get the CIC? • Achieve formal recognition as a Professional in Infection Control • Provides employers and clients with an accepted measure of proficiency in basic infection control knowledge

  7. Why should Public Health staff get the CIC? • Supports professional growth and knowledge acquisition • Infection Control Core Competencies • Enhances credibility when dealing with others who work in Infection Control

  8. The Certification Process • Initial certification occurs via a computer-generated examination • Certification is valid for five years • Re-certification is required to maintain CIC

  9. Re-certification Process • Via the computerized examination OR • Via the Self-Assessment Recertification Exam (SARE)

  10. What is the content of the CIC Exam? • A comprehensive, job-related examination • 150 multiple choice questions

  11. Who is Eligible? • Practice requirement • Education requirement

  12. Practice Requirements • Minimum of 2 years practice in infection control with a minimum of 800 hours worked directly prior to the date of the examination • Practice requirements may not be waived

  13. “Infection Control Practice” • Definition of “infection control practice” is very broad and encompasses many of the functions in public health

  14. Definition of “Infection Control Practice” • Analysis and interpretation of collected infection control data • Investigation and surveillance of suspected outbreaks of infection

  15. Definition of “Infection Control Practice” • And, at least 3 of the following: • Planning, implementation and evaluation of IC measures • Education of individuals about infection risk, prevention and control • Development and revision of infection control policies and procedures • Management of infection prevention and control activities • Provision of consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention and control strategies

  16. Education Requirements • A current license or registration as a medical technologist, physician or registered nurse OR • A minimum of a baccalaureate degree • (A waiver can be applied for through the CBIC Executive Office)

  17. Can Public Health staff certify? • Yes, if they have a baccalaureate degree AND • Minimum of 2 years practice in infection control • Many parts of public health can be considered infection control

  18. What is the content of the CIC Exam? • Infectious disease processes • Surveillance and epidemiological investigation • Infection prevention and control • Program management and communication • Education • Infection control aspects of employee health

  19. How to apply for the CIC Exam • Obtain a copy of the Candidate Handbook with application forms from CBIC website www.cbic.org

  20. How to apply for the CIC Exam • Ensure that the eligibility requirements are met (request an educational waiver, if necessary)

  21. How to apply for the CIC Exam • Complete the paper application and send to AMP • International candidates cannot apply on-line (includes Canadians)

  22. How to prepare for the Exam • Refer to the detailed content outline in the Candidate Handbook to help guide study • Obtain the CIC study guide from the APIC online bookstore (www.apic.org) • Review current infection control reference books, journals, and standards

  23. How to prepare for the Exam • Find support from your • Regional Infection Control Network • local CHICA Chapter • other PHIs or Infection Control practitioners in your area • Form a study group among your peers within the health unit and local health care institutions

  24. The Exam • Questions are based on cognitive learning principles • Recall • Application of knowledge • Analysis – evaluate scenario and use analytical skills to select correct answer

  25. The Exam • Have removed references to American organizations and standards such as OSHA and JCAHO • Exam questions are applicable to the practice of infection prevention and control around the world

  26. The Exam • There are no “trick questions” • Working to eliminate negatively worded questions -- “all of the above EXCEPT …” • Scenarios may be specific to one workplace, but the principles of risk analysis can be applied by all

  27. No more pencils, no more paper! • Computer-based exam • Can mark questions to go back to them • Can make comments on questions • No penalty for guessing

  28. Practice Exam • Can do a trial run with a 70 question on-line practice exam • Allows familiarization with the computerized testing process • Administration charge of $50 • Can access the exam for 60 days – once submit for scoring, can’t retake the exam

  29. Where can you get more information? • CBIC website: www.cbic.org • Candidate Handbook (all application and order forms for the exam are included) • Background information on CBIC and the certification process

  30. Myths about the CIC • Centennial College/CHICA Canada Infection Control course is NOT related to the CIC, and is not a prerequisite to taking the CIC exam

  31. Myths about the CIC • CIC is not administered through APIC • CBIC is a completely independent body

  32. Myths about the CIC • Work as an ICP in a hospital is not the only work experience that meets the practice requirements

  33. Questions? Cathy Egan cegan@cmh.org 519-624-9781

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