Elevating CS professionalism with IAHCSMM Fellowship

Fellowship status is among the highest honors professional organizations can bestow upon their members. The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management’s (IAHCSMM’s) Fellowship program gives recognition to the competence of its members and provides members with a measure of achievement that will be meaningful even to those outside the organization.

Because of the elevated status of the Fellowship, earning the designation requires hard work, determination, a commitment to professional advancement, and a strong desire to raise the bar as both an IAHCSMM member and a contributor to the CS profession. To date, only 24 professionals have earned the IAHCSMM Fellowship (FCS) distinction; however, the Association is certain many more individuals have what it takes to cross the Fellowship finish line. Often, all that’s needed is a willingness to believe in oneself and take the first step.

“Becoming an IAHCSMM Fellow is not meant to be an easy process, but that is what makes attaining it so special and rewarding,” said IAHCSMM Fellowship Committee member and IAHCSMM Education Director Natalie Lind, CRCST, CHL, FCS. “Having gone through the process myself, I can assure that it is well worth the time and effort.”

Fellowship requirements

Before one embarks upon the IAHCSMM Fellowship journey, it is essential to ensure that all requirements can be met. These requirements include the following:

• Must be an active IAHCSMM member in good standing for at least five years and hold the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) designation.
• Must be responsible for directing a Central Service (CS) department of a healthcare facility or have an interest by virtue of practice.
• Must submit a research paper on a topic pertinent to the CS profession, such as processes and/or practices that led to targeted, quantifiable improvements within the department or facility. Research papers should be extensively researched and, generally, at least 10 pages in length, not including charts, graphs or other illustrations/images. Papers should be written in a professional manner, much like a journal article or college thesis, and include references to support statements, data and other content. Careful attention must also be paid to proper writing style, formatting, punctuation and grammar.
• Must submit a Curriculum Vitae and two professional letters of recommendation.
• Must complete an in-person interview with the IAHCSMM Fellowship Committee to demonstrate knowledge of the information presented in the research paper.

Note: Submissions failing to meet any of these criteria will not be considered for IAHCSMM Fellowship.

Application steps

IAHCSMM members who meet the aforementioned criteria and are interested in pursuing Fellowship should complete the following steps.

Step 1: Submit the following to IAHCSMM headquarters:

• Fellowship application;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Two letters of Recommendation; and
• Research paper topic and detailed outline.

Step 2: The Fellowship Committee will review the application and research paper outline. The candidate will be contacted regarding the next steps in the Fellowship process. Note: IAHCSMM’s Fellowship Committee helps guide prospective Fellows through the process by providing clear criteria regarding Fellowship requirements; reviewing Fellowship paper topics and outlines, and mentoring applicants and offering valuable feedback.

Step 3: Submit final research paper and cover letter to the Fellowship Committee.

Step 4: Final research paper will be reviewed by the Fellowship Committee.

Step 5: The applicant will sit for an interview with the Fellowship Committee during the IAHCSMM Annual Conference to demonstrate knowledge of the information presented in the research paper. If Fellowship is granted by the Committee, the recipient will be recognized at the IAHCSMM Annual Conference.

Applying for Fellowship and completing the IAHCSMM Fellowship process is a journey that can take many months and, for some, a year or more; however, each step in the process is one that can help sharpen candidate’s written and verbal communication skills, and advance one’s knowledge and professionalism, explained IAHCSMM Fellowship Committee Chair and IAHCSMM President-Elect Mark Duro, CRCST, FCS.

Duro earned his Fellowship in 2011. His research paper topic, “Device Integration and Automation in Today’s CSSD: Journey into the Evolution in Sterile Processing,” was a suitable fit since Duro had gone through two CS renovations and two redesigns, and explored automated devices and integration of equipment. He has since evolved his research paper topic into an educational presentation, and has also authored a related article that was published in an AAMI Leading Practice publication.

“The process of becoming a Fellow was a great experience for me,” Duro said. “It was something I always wanted to do and once I felt as though I had a good topic, I was comfortable moving forward with the research paper.” Although he had the professional knowledge and insight to deliver a well-researched and data-driven research paper, Duro acknowledges that having the opportunity to work with the Fellowship Committee along the way helped guide him through the steps and, ultimately, reach his Fellowship goal.

“The process was challenging, but very fun. I always encourage qualified CS colleagues to pursue Fellowship. With the guidance of the Fellowship Committee, candidates aren’t in it alone.”

To learn more about the IAHCSMM Fellowship program and requirements, explore previously accepted Fellowship papers and review Fellowship writing tips and materials, visit www.iahcsmm.org/about/fellowship.html.