1. Why did you choose a career in infection prevention and control?
Infection prevention and control is a constantly evolving field. It presents intellectual challenges and requires individuals to stay updated with new pathogens, emerging infections, and evolving prevention strategies and information.
2. What advice would you give someone who is interested in an infection prevention and control career?
I strongly recommend infection control career. It will keep you informed about current trends, emerging infections, and advancements in infection prevention strategies. You will stay abreast of scientific research, guidelines, and best practices in the field. Also Hone skills will be developed in your personality such as critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication. These skills are crucial for analyzing data, implementing protocols, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
3. What does being a CIC® mean to you?
Holding the CIC® credential demonstrates a strong understanding of infection prevention principles, epidemiology, microbiology, and best practices in the field. It signifies a certain level of expertise in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and promoting patient safety. I am a proud of having CBIC. CIC has direct effect on my Career Advancement, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Contributions to Patient Safety and professional development.
4. How has being a CIC® helped you navigate the current COVID-19 climate?
It helps a lot as a basic information’s related to pandemic, emergency preparedness and how to deal in such situations by isolation the infected person and doing contact tracing to assess the risk level and deal accordingly, it helps a lot to save people lives and decreasing the chance of spreading the infection also feeling the confident when the team feeling that you are the reference and trusting your information
5. What was the best studying method for you when preparing for the initial certification examination?
CIC study group and APIC Chapters
6. What advice would you give someone pursuing certification?
It is time, don't be late and never give up.
7. How do you stay up-to-date on infection prevention and control practices?
Attend local and national APIC education sessions and webinars. Be day to day up to date through national and international channels. Read recent scientific references
Participation in internal and external conferences and workshops
8. How has the CIC® helped you grow professionally and in your career?
It actually made me more Confident I must say, in knowledge I have, in the practice I am doing daily. The best Reference for me in solving the scientific challenge is the APIC text book. Being the infection prevention and control director and external auditor at my workplace challenged me to move out of my comfort zone and be more proactive by engaging with different stakeholders. By doing this, staff members, volunteers, students, and even family members ask questions about policies and procedures and evidence-practices to prevent the spread of infection. Obtaining my CIC® gave me a boost in self-confidence to lead the Infection Prevention and Control program in my workplace.