President's Welcome Message
Committed to Verifiable Competency
2020 was a year that emphasized the importance of the infection prevention and control field. CBIC is proud to support each and every dedicated individual doing their part to keep healthcare personnel and those to whom they provide care safe. Your knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed more than ever before; as 2021 CBIC President, I hope that your commitment to competency in infection prevention results in confidence as you face the future of infection prevention.
I would like to recognize Past President Linda Goss, the CBIC Board of Directors, and CBIC staff for their ongoing commitment to infection prevention competency throughout the year. CBIC has created two new milestones among the pathways to continued professional growth. For those entering the profession, the Associate – Infection Prevention and Control (a-IPC) entry-level examination, launched in 2020, demonstrates your readiness to further healthcare without infection. For those demonstrating sustained competency, CBIC has successfully launched and promoted recertification by Infection Prevention Units (IPUs).
Committed to the Profession
CBIC continues to develop pathways to assess and maintain infection prevention competency. The a-IPC will remain available to anyone that desires to show readiness to work within the profession of infection prevention. And for those recertifying by IPUs; your feedback, insights, questions, and support have been implemented into a revised 2021 IPU manual.
As for those that are ready to demonstrate their proficient in infection prevention by sitting for the CIC exam the first time or for those whose certification has lapsed, new eligibility requirement go into effect June 1, 2021. CBIC routinely evaluates eligibility requirements by monitoring trends found among applicants and questions or concerns raised among certificants or prospects. Individuals taking the CIC exam must hold programmatic responsibility for infection prevention demonstrated by actively working in the field. Be sure to review the new criteria and apply before they go into effect.
CBIC is making it easier for you to share your achievement with your colleagues and employers. CBIC is proud to collaborate with Credly's Acclaim platform to provide Digital Badging that will allow others to view your certification.
Committed to Collaboration
CBIC continues to collaborate with our Canadian colleagues and will be exhibiting at the virtual IPAC Canada Conference in May and APIC Annual Conference in June. We did not have the opportunity to meet you face to face in 2020, but we loved hearing your feedback in the various ways you may have offered it. We are committed to working with our partners to make sure your essential competency is highly valued. If you are able to attend please visit our booth to connect with us and look for the opportunity to win CBIC swag.
Thank you again to IPs and CICs alike for your resilience. I look forward to possibilities of the year ahead.
With appreciation,
Janet Glowicz, MPH, PhD RN, CIC, FAPIC
