5 Second Rule

In this episode, our hosts discuss the many certifications in IPC with CBIC immediate past president Sandra Callery and CBIC board member Tiffany Wiksten. Learn about the different options in certification, how to discover which certification is right for you, and what it could mean for the advancement of your career. For questions pertaining to this episode, leave a message for hosts and subject matter experts using the "Contribute to the Convo" button in the upper right corner.

Further resources: Certification FAQs

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Sandra Callery, RN, MHSc, CIC, LTC-CIP, assistant professor, McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario Canada

Sandra Callery has practiced in the field of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), for many years and in a variety of healthcare settings. She is a registered nurse, with a Master of Health Sciences. She has been involved in research and publications regarding disease transmission, management of patients with antibiotic-resistant organisms, emergency preparedness, and most recently, the value of certification for the Infection Control Professional. Sandra is the immediate past President of The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).

Tiffany Wiksten, DNP, RN, CIC, associate director, Standards Interpretation Group

Tiffany Wiksten has been a nurse for more than 20 years and an infection preventionist for more than 10 years. In her current role, she is an infection control subject matter expert at The Joint Commission. She has led infection prevention and control efforts in a variety of healthcare settings including large academic medical centers, a community medical center with associated long-term care facility, as well as various ambulatory healthcare sites. She is certified in infection control and has her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Tackling the Annual Risk Assessment and Infection Prevention Program Plan can be a daunting task even for the most experienced IP. Listen as guest speaker, Rebecca Battjes, discusses pitfalls to avoid in the process of formulating a comprehensive plan and strategies for organizational success.

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guest:

Rebecca Battjes, MPH, CIC, FAPIC Infection Prevention Senior Clinical Advisor for Diversey

Rebecca Battjes is an Infection Prevention Senior Clinical Advisor for Diversey, one of APIC's 2023 strategic partners. Before being an IP clinical advisor, Rebecca was the infection prevention & control program manager for an acute care hospital and short stay skilled nursing facility. From 2013 to 2021, she was an Infection Preventionist at a large academic medical & Level One trauma center in the heart of Detroit. Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English & Spanish literature from Wayne State University and a Master of Public Health degree from Benedictine University.

Further resources: Rebecca Battjes video APIC IP Talk APIC/JCR Infection Prevention & Control Workbook APIC Cost Calculator

Episode is sponsored by HibiClens

Breaking into the IPC industry can be challenging. Listen as two infection prevention experts and leaders discuss strategies on how to get started in the field, and best practices to advance your IPC career. You'll learn how to utilize your foundational knowledge, the best ways to market yourself, and that previous experience is not always necessary.

Hosted by:

Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC

About our Guests:

Lisa Sturm, MPH, CIC, FAPIC

Lisa works at Ascension and is the system Senior Director for Infection Prevention. She wants everyone listening today to know that if you have the will and desire to become an infection preventionist, or want to grow within the field, that the sky is the limit and there are endless amounts of resources and people willing to help you along the way.

Chaz Rhone, MPH, CIC, FAPIC

Chaz is currently the Assistant Vice President of Infection Prevention for HCA Healthcare North Florida Division. His professional passions include advancing the field of IP through leadership development of IPs and advocating for M.P.H.-ers as equally qualified candidates for IP positions.

Further Resources:

https://apic.org/professional-practice/infection-preventionist-ip-competency-model/

https://apic.org/professional-practice/roadmap/novice-roadmap-for-the-infection-preventionist/

https://youtu.be/GItrfuqLRfw

For the first episode with our new hosts, Patricia "Pat" Jackson, 2023 APIC President, stops by to answer questions on her presidency and to discuss the strengths and struggles of the lone IP, or "one-ers."

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guest:

Patricia "Pat" Jackson, RN, BSN, CIC, FAPIC

Pat Jackson is the 2023 President of APIC. She is Director of Infection Prevention at White Rock Medical Center in Dallas, TX. She has been an infection preventionist for the past 27 years. She has worked primarily in large academic medical centers predominantly in pediatrics but recently has become a "oner" / lone IP in a small community hospital in Dallas, TX. Pat's passion is mentoring new IPs. She served as an original author on APICs Roadmap for the Novice Infection Preventionist and spent many years as a faculty member to APICs epidemiology training courses. She believes we have to attract and retain the talent of the next generation in order for APIC to succeed.

Further resources: APIC Toolkit for Rural and Isolated Settings

APIC Hero of Infection Prevention Kelley Knapek talks about what it takes to successfully recruit, train, and retain talent in the IPC industry. Learn how she developed a tool to help others break into IPC, and how she became a 2022 Hero of Infection Prevention in Leadership.

Hosted by:

Marie Wilson, MSN, RN, CIC and Jay Liggins, MS, CIC

About our Guest:

Kelley Knapek, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, CWON, Good Samaritan Medical Center

Kelley Knapek is the Manager of Infection Prevention at Good Samaritan Medical Center (SCL Health now Intermountain) in Lafayette, Colorado. She has been an infection preventionist since 2014 and has a background in nursing--working in mental health, med/surg, ortho, and wound care. Outside of work Kelley enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and spending time with her husband and two young boys.

The Novice Roadmap for the Infection Preventionist is an orientation guide and a pathway to earning your CIC. Listen to two of the Roadmap's creators as they discuss the Do's and Don'ts of how to engage with this valuable tool and how to get the most out of your journey through the infection prevention field.

Hosted by:

Marie Wilson, MS, RN, CIC and Jay Liggins, MS, CIC

About our Guests:

Lela Luper, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, Infection Preventionist, Chickasaw Nation Department of Health

Lela Luper is a certified infection preventionist and fellow of APIC who currently is Manager of Infection Prevention and Control at the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health in Ada, OK. For twenty years, Lela has been an infection preventionist in the rural hospital and ambulatory care setting.

Joseph (Joey) M. Scaletta, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, Infection Control Consultant, NIH Clinical Center

Joseph (Joey) M. Scaletta currently works for the U. S. National Institutes of Health Clinical Center as an Infection Control Consultant. He has been certified in infection control since 2007 and has earned the Fellow of APIC designation.

The hosts and guests of this 5 Second Rule episode would like to express their indebtedness to the committed group of volunteers and staff who updated and created the interactive web version of the Novice Roadmap for the Infection Preventionist currently located on apic.org. Further Resources: The Novice Roadmap: Developing Infection Preventionists Through an Internship Role [Abstract] Novice Roadmap for the Infection Preventionist

Environment of Care (EOC) means 'environment in which care is being provided.' Listen as guest hosts talk with Robert Carter on his roles as they relate to EOC and his experiences along the way. Topics covered include tips for EOC rounding, tricks for getting ready for TJC, horror stories involving gray water, and nightmares about laminated paper.

Hosted by:

Marie Wilson, MSN, RN, CIC and Jay Liggins, MS, CIC

About our Guest:

Robert Carter, Assistant Director of Safety and Emergency Management, Jefferson Health Einstein Division

Robert Carter manages robust programs in emergency management, environment of care, and life safety. Prior to this he was Sr. Director of Process Compliance where he directed facility operations, construction, security, EVS and biomedical engineering. His experience has led to dozens of successful surveys with The Joint Commission, health departments and local authorities having jurisdiction. Robert is a strong believer that interdisciplinary collaboration is critical to any safe environment. With this mindset, he has won awards in infection control and received recognition from front line clinicians. Robert is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served as a firefighter/medic and fire inspector. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Finance.

APIC Communication Committee members discuss the new direction of the podcast and talk about being an IP in a post-COVID world.

Hosted by:

Marie Wilson, MSN, RN, CIC

About our Guests:

Jay Liggins, MS, CIC Jay graduated from Michigan State University with a Masters degree in Epidemiology. Go Green! He has been an Infection Preventionist for almost 5 years and has taken a passionate interest in C. diff and CAUTI prevention.

Cindy Prins, PhD, MPH, CIC, CPH Cindy is the assistant dean for educational affairs and a clinical associate professor of Epidemiology in the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions. During the current COVID-19 pandemic she served as the campus Infection Preventionist with the UF Screen, Test and Protect program. She worked in Infection Prevention and Control at UF Health Shands Hospital before becoming a faculty member in Epidemiology at UF in 2010.

Beth Wallace, MPH, CIC, FAPIC Beth is currently the Senior Director of System Infection Prevention & Epidemiology at Beaumont Health in southeast Michigan. She has over sixteen years of infection prevention experience in both community and academic hospital settings. She is currently Chair of APIC's Communications Committee.

NHSN training is a key first step to becoming a competent infection preventionist. In this episode we talk to Marc Wright, clinical science liaison for the central region at PDI, on the history of the AJIC/NHSN Case Studies, the important role they play in IP competency development, and how to make them work for you.

Hosted by:

Marie Wilson, MSN, RN, CIC, interim host of the 5 Second Rule podcast

About our Guests:

Marc-Oliver Wright, MT(ASCP), MS, CIC, FAPIC, Clinical Science Liaison, Central Region, PDI

Marc-Oliver Wright, MT (ASCP), MS, CIC, FAPIC, is the clinical science liaison for the central region at PDI, Inc. He has an extensive work history in infection prevention including as an infection preventionist at the University of Wisconsin University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin and as the corporate director of infection control and quality improvement for NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Illinois. His educational background includes a bachelors of sciences in clinical laboratory sciences, a master's of science in epidemiology and advanced training in public health informatics-all from the University of Illinois – Chicago. He is board certified in infection prevention, a Fellow of APIC and was the 2019 recipient of the President's Distinguished Service Award (in honor of Pat Lynch). Marc-Oliver previously served on the Board of Directors at APIC as well as an officer as Treasurer. He has over 60 publications in the American Journal of Infection Control, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Emerging Infectious Diseases, among others and served as an editorial board member and section editor for the American Journal of Infection Control from 2009-2019.

Listen to Dr. Terri Rebmann discuss the key takeaways from APIC's "Between a Rock and Hard Place, Recommendations for Balancing Patient Safety and Pandemic Response" White Paper. This episode is especially important for legislators and policy makers who can prepare for potential pandemics.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo, CAE

About our Guest:

Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Dr. Terri Rebmann is Special Assistant to the President, Director of the Institute for Biosecurity, and a Professor of Epidemiology in the Saint Louis University College for Public Health & Social Justice. She is a PhD Nurse researcher with an emphasis in infectious disease emergency preparedness. In addition, she is board certified in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology and a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC). She publishes and lectures on bioterrorism, pandemic planning, emerging infectious diseases, and infection prevention practices on a national basis. Dr. Rebmann has served on several national and international task forces and committees aimed at minimizing morbidity and mortality related to emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism threats. Examples include being a member of the APIC COVID-19 Task Force, a member of the APIC Ebola Task Force, and being a former member and Chair of the APIC Emergency Preparedness Committee. She is also a current Board Member of the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).