continuing education credits vs. re- testing. there has been much debate concerning continuing...
Post on 17-Jan-2018
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Continuing Education CreditsVs.
Re- Testing
• There has been much debate concerning Continuing Education Credits or Units (CEUs) versus re-certification by examination as a measure of competency of professionals in infection prevention.
• The value of the certification has never been in question.
• However the path to achieving re-certification has been highly debated.
Reasons given by a number of infection preventionists for why they find CEUs appealing are:– Convenience– Saves time– Lower cost– Preparation not required– Ease of use
Let’s examine CEUsversus written tests
CEUs are convenient and time saving.
• Finding courses or educational sessions that provide CEUs in all aspects of infection prevention is difficult. The IP would be required to take numerous courses, possibly in a variety of modalities (i.e. on computer, off-site lectures).
• Time will have to be allotted for travel for each event and/or computer sessions.
CEUs cost less than re-certification
• Courses offering CEU can begin at $150-$200 and increase to $600 per course.
• Current cost of re-certification is $325 every 5 years. That is $65.00 per year or $5.40 per month.
CEU preparation and ease of use
• Frequently, courses or educational sessions providing CEUs do not require preparation nor do they have a method to demonstrate competency at completion of the course.
• However, they do not assess competency at the completion of the course.
Advantages of re-examinationOnce you take the certification examination:• You do not have to re-certify for 5
years!!!!• No keeping a record of courses taken!• No tallying up points to meet criteria! • No worry, no fuss!
• The CBIC certification examination is a proven method of demonstrating the competency of those individuals who take the exam.
• The certification examination is not designed to be easy.
• It is designed to measure the knowledge and the skills of those who take the exam.
• Certification in infection control and prevention is viewed by employers and colleagues as an indication of an advanced level of knowledge and of professional growth by the IP.
• A podcast about this can be found on the Media page at www.cbic.org.
In the CBIC podcast titled ‘Re-examination versus Continuing Education Units’, January 2013, CEUs and the merits of re-certification as a measure of competency are thoroughly explored.
The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) enlists the services of Prometric, a testing company that provides expertise and ensures CBIC meets the National Commission for Certifying Agencies standards for accreditation so that they can provide a high quality certification examination.
Summary
CEUs:• Play a role in the education of the health
care professional.• Allow healthcare professionals to broaden
their knowledge on a variety of subjects• They do not measure competency.
• Certification in infection control and prevention is a commitment to the profession.
• Certification and the CIC® designation demonstrate commitment to the profession.
Summary
For more information regarding certification, please contact
our Executive Office at 414.918.9796 or email
info@cbic.org
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