IP Role Recognition: Developing a Professional

Advancement Ladder for IPs

May Riley

RN, MSN, MPH, ACNP, CCRN, CIC

Stanford Hospital & Clinics

Professional Advancement LadderGOAL – facilitate registered nurses to acquire quality, leadership,

education and research skills so that they may function at their

highest level of professionalism.

PURPOSE

•recognize and reward expertise in practice for the registered nurses in the specialty field of Infection Prevention.

•ensure safe, quality patient care and outcomes.

•promote recruitment and retention of experienced registered nurses.

•promote professional growth and development and foster professional practice.

Professional Advancement Ladder

Process for Advancement:

•Must meet eligibility criteria — includes successful annual performance evaluation and no disciplinary actions

•Meet with Director to discuss goals of PAL and eligibility

•Sign “Intent to Advance”

•Required elements must be completed within one year

•Maintain a portfolio of all required criteria

Professional Advancement Ladder

Process for Advancement:

•Must demonstrate participation in all categories of the PAL

•Leadership

•Quality/Evidence Based Practice/Research

•Education/Practice

•Each category has a point system for activities to accomplish or to participate in

•Each category recognizes current achievements and encourages growth and development

Professional Advancement Ladder

Process for Advancement:

•Develop and complete project

•Project must align with mission and goals of the Infection Prevention Department and Carolinas HealthCare System

•Project must include literature review, application of quality improvement techniques, interdisciplinary team work, measurable outcomes and financial impact, and recommendations for future practice

•The proposed project is reviewed with Infection Prevention leadership and approved

Professional Advancement Ladder

Process for Advancement:

•Project progress is reviewed periodically with Director

•Final portfolio and project are presented to the Professional Advancement Ladder Panel

•The IP will present project as a presentation to the panel

•The panel consists of leadership within both Infection Prevention and Quality

•The panel reviews project and makes recommendation for advancement

•Final step — advancement to Infection Preventionist II

Professional Advancement Ladder

Maintenance of Infection Preventionist II

•Process similar to initial advancement

•Project also required

•Can be a continuation or expansion of IP I project

•Expectation that IP II will become mentor for those pursuing the PAL

APIC Competency Model

• Provided opportunity to develop competency checklist within the department

• As they developed their checklist, they realized they could incorporate it into the Professional Advancement Ladder (PAL) to assist with continued professional growth