Credentialling

ACIPC Credentialling Package

ACIPC Credentialling Package

ACIPC Re-Credentialling Package

ACIPC Re-Credentialling Package

Introduction

For infection control professionals, credentialling provides a clear industry-recognised pathway whereby you can demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to be recognised by your peers as a primary, advanced or expert credentialled infection control professional. All applications are reviewed by a panel of infection control professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in a range of practice contexts.

As a credentialled ICP, you are professionally committed to excellence in practice as evidenced by your willingness to undergo peer review. When awarded, the credential carries the imprimatur of the College as the peak professional body for infection prevention and control in Australasia. For employers, credentialling helps you to meet current health regulations and health consumers’ demand that the care provided by health professionals in your organisation is safe, effective and efficient. Inherent in establishing this culture of patient safety is the requirement to minimise the risk of healthcare-associated infection. The primary tenet underpinning all healthcare provision is that health professionals “first, do no harm”.

Inclusion of an ACIPC credential as a requirement for employment will provide you with the confidence that your infection control professionals have a commitment to maintaining the necessary knowledge, experience and attributes to meet the challenges of contemporary healthcare. The requirement for re-credentialling every three years will ensure that staff maintain currency through ongoing professional development and peer review. For health consumers, you have the right to expect and receive high quality and safe health care.

The ACIPC Credentialling Framework builds on the College’s longstanding and successful credentialling framework and provides a clear career pathway for all professionals seeking a career in our discipline. Our three-tiered framework combines the requirements for experience, formal education, and training together with peer review.

Credentialling is a self-regulatory process instituted by the College as a professional body to determine and acknowledge that an individual has demonstrated the prescribed competence of the relevant specialist role in infection prevention in control.

In this way, credentialling:

• designates specialist or advanced expertise;
• informs consumers;
• establishes practice standards;
• promotes career advancement;
• identifies a community of experts;
• contributes to qualifications for independent practice;
• enhances the quality of care provided; and
• assists employers to manage risk.

The College is currently unable to award credentialling for applicants with internationally obtained qualifications. The Credentialling and Fellowship Assessment Panel is actively reviewing the current framework and exploring potential adjustments to acknowledge and align overseas qualifications with the Australian credentialling criteria.

Credentialling and Fellowship Assessment Panel

Credentialling has been a cornerstone of the College and our predecessor associations for decades, providing a solid foundation for recognising expertise in our field. As early adopters of credentialling, we have long benefited from a robust process that identifies and acknowledges professionals with advanced knowledge and experience in infection prevention and control.

However, as the demands of everyday practice continue to evolve, so too must our approach. A core function of the College is to define and promote professional standards and career pathways that reflect the dynamic nature of our work. In response, the ACIPC Credentialling Framework builds on our established, successful model and introduces a clear, structured career pathway for all professionals working in our discipline.

The new three-tiered framework integrates experience, formal education and training, and peer review to support and recognise infection prevention professionals at all stages of their careers.

Importantly, the ACIPC Credentialling Framework is inclusive. A central philosophy of this evolution is to ensure that credentialling is accessible to everyone working in infection prevention and control. Over three-quarters of our members work part-time in the field or include infection control as part of a broader role. The Board and the Credentialling and Fellowship Assessment Panel firmly believe that all members should have access to professional pathways that reflect and support their contribution.

Whether you are new to the profession or have years of experience, the ACIPC Credentialling Framework offers a pathway tailored to your stage of practice — ensuring there is something for everyone.

Nicola Isles CICP-E FACIPC
Chair, Credentialling and Fellowship Assessment Panel

Panel Members

Re-credentialling

The re-credentialling process involves an assessment of your experience, qualifications and practice by the professional and credentialling standards (PACS) committee. Detailed information about the processes and what is required to be submitted is outlined in the application package and forms at the links below.

Members will be notified when their due date for re-credentialling is approaching and given 3 months from the due date to apply for re-credentialling. Extensions may be granted under extenuating circumstances and are assessed on a case by case basis. If you would like to check your credentialling status including due date, please email office@acipc.org.au.

Credentialling at a higher level

If you are wanting to re-credential at a higher level, you will need to complete a brand new credentialling application for either advanced or expert.

Fees

The College will invoice members once the application has been received.

Credentialling

• $110 -Primary
• $165 – Advanced
• $220 – Expert

Re-credentialling

• $165 – All re-credentialled members

Credentialling pins

Once you are Credentialled you are eligible for a ACIPC Credentialled Level College pin, that can be requested when you receive your confirmation and your pin will be posted out to you.