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Efforts to mandate CS certification gain momentum
September 29, 2004
The following is a "sneak peak" at an article to appear in the November issue of HPN. It is authored by Julie Williamson.
When New Jersey passed the law mandating certification of its central service professionals this past August, sterile processing personnel across the country became empowered by the possibility that their states may also follow suit.
During the state's pursuit of the mandate - and following the law's passing -- Anthony T. Monaco, coordinator for New Jersey's Department of Health & Senior Services, encouraged CS professionals and associations to establish relationships with state agencies and aggressively work at paving the way for similar certification requirements, which he said will "legitimize the profession by recognizing the critical role CS professionals play in patient care."
Monaco stressed the importance of becoming acquainted with key individuals at the state level, providing them with a free membership to CS associations and inviting them to meetings so they can better understand the issues pertaining to the CSMM profession and the inherent values of certification. "Then you can work with state health departments and lobby with them."
Sterile processing personnel appear to be taking Monaco's advice. Perhaps the latest - and most optimistic - development on the certification front comes from Texas, where 18 CS professionals from across the state met to discuss the issue of mandatory certification. Those in attendance believed they would be unable to present a unified front at the state level without representation of a formal effort of all CS personnel in the state, and as a result, decided to form the Texas State Association of Central Service Professionals. The new association provides an opportunity for all CS personnel, regardless of their association affiliation, to become actively involved in the quest for mandatory certification.
"The TxSACSP executive board is very excited about the impact that we can have, not only in Texas, but across the nation as well," noted Bob Marrs, TxSACSP president, and president-elect Joyce Dickerson. "Together we can achieve excellence as we strive to raise the bar in our profession."
IAHCSMM
aids process
To offer further support in CS professionals' quest for state-mandated certification,
IAHCSMM has crafted a template letter for its state chapters that can be individually
tailored and submitted to state representatives.
"IAHCSMM has long recognized the value of CS certification and is a strong supporter of state-mandated certification," said IAHCSMM president Sybil Williams. "It is our hope that this letter will make it easier for chapters in every state to introduce themselves and their cause to their state representatives, and make their voices heard."
IAHCSMM president-elect Don Gordon, network director for central service at North Bronx Healthcare Network, is confident that with dedication and perseverance, any state can mirror New Jersey's success. His positive attitude stems from experience; The New York State Association of CS Professionals is actively pursuing mandatory certification and hopes to become the next state to achieve the status.
While mandatory certification will go a long way in promoting excellence within the profession, Gordon said developing a better attitude and raising awareness of the profession is a critical first step.
"Everything we say and do will have a corresponding effect. An individual who acts professionally will be perceived as professional; one who does not, will not." He added that many CS professionals still are unaware that they can become certified, and even more administrators and medical professionals are unaware that the option exists - a fact he said lowers the bar for the entire healthcare field.
"Central
service is a key element in assuring a safe environment for hospital
patients. We must make our presence known to the powers that be and
make them more aware of how valuable we are, and how important it
is that we become certified."
