Enhancing infection preventionist certification success through a structured training program

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Professional Certification

Background:

• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is crucial for validating infection preventionist (IP) expertise.
• Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of training programs for CIC certification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the success of a novel, competency-based training program for novice infection preventionists (IPs).
• To assess the impact of the training on CIC examination pass rates.

Main Methods:

• 51 novice IPs participated in a training program combining didactic learning, practical application, and mentorship from 2017-2023.
• Participants' CIC examination attempts and pass rates were tracked.
• Results were compared to national CIC examination pass rates.

Main Results:

• The training program achieved a 98% pass rate among participants.
• This rate is 27% higher than the national average pass rate of 71% (CBIC, 2023).
• All participants in the training program attempted the CIC examination.

Conclusions:

• The supported, competency-based training program significantly enhances the likelihood of novice IPs passing the CIC exam on their first attempt.
• This training model effectively supports early-career IPs, promoting their progression to independent practice.
• Foundational knowledge combined with supervised skill application is key to improving CIC certification outcomes.