When you first heard about the CAIP credential, what were your initial thoughts?

My initial thoughts were, ‘oh my gosh not another test!’ I thought that it was a great opportunity for someone to have for infection controls in the ambulatory surgery center setting. The TIC credential is phenomenal, but there is a lot more involved with that credential that doesn’t necessarily tie into what an ambulatory center would be faced with or have to overcome. It is nice having one more specified to that setting.

Why did you pursue the CAIP credential?

I survey centers for an organization, I am also a clinical consultant and I thought it would give
more clarity and background for the information that I am providing to centers and to providers
on why they should do things certain ways. The certification would help support my expertise in
the field.

What do you think is the value of CAIP?

I think it is very valuable to confirm not just the expertise in infection control in an ambulatory
setting but also your commitment to maintaining that expertise and to be able to share it with
you colleagues and be able to support their quality of care with their patients.

How do you think earning and maintaining the credential will benefit you and your ASC?

It shows the commitment of not only myself as an individual but also my organization
supporting the fact that we believe in infection prevention and we allow staff to maintain that
level of expertise. We know that then we are doing the best for our patients and for our center
and staff as well.

What advice would you give to those individuals who are considering pursuing CAIP?

Go for it! There is a lot involved, give yourself the opportunity to understand your practices,
standards, and rationale behind why we perform things the way that we do in the world of
infection. If you are working hard in the position of an infection preventionist or infection
control, then give yourself a chance to get the CAIP credential and show how dedicated you are. The
time that you put into it will really pay off.

Anything else you’d like to add?

The CAIP credential truly shows the individual’s commitment to infectious disease prevention. It
is not always easy to sit for an exam and go out of our comfort zone but it really adds a lot of
work to you as a licensed provider and credibility among your peers.