The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) is calling upon qualified members to push their professionalism to new heights and embark upon the rewarding Fellowship journey. Fellowship status is among the highest honors professional organizations can bestow upon their members. IAHCSMM’s Fellowship program formally recognizes the competence of its members and provides members with a measure of achievement that will be meaningful even to those outside the organization.
Earning the prestigious Fellowship 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. Currently, only 25 professionals have earned the IAHCSMM Fellowship distinction; however, several individuals are actively pursuing Fellowship at this time. The Association remains confident 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. IAHCSMM’s Fellowship Committee is also available to help guide prospective Fellowship applicants through the process.
Laying the foundation
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.
Please note: Submissions failing to meet any of these criteria will not be considered for IAHCSMM Fellowship.
Several examples of previously-accepted Fellowship papers include: Reducing Immediate Use Steam Sterilization: SPD’s Role; Boiling: The Answer to High-Level Disinfection of Surgical Instruments in a Third World Country; Factors Affecting the Leadership Process Improvement Teams in Sterile Processing; and Managing the Steam Sterilization Process.
Application steps
IAHCSMM members who meet the aforementioned criteria and are interested in pursuing Fellowship will then 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.
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, 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 is one that can help sharpen the applicant’s written and verbal communication skills, and advance one’s knowledge and professionalism.
To learn more about the Fellowship process, explore several previously-accepted Fellowship papers and review Fellowship writing tips and materials, visit www.iahcsmm.org/about/fellowship.html. Those attending the 2018 IAHCSMM Annual Conference and arriving to Phoenix early are also encouraged to attend the April 28 pre-conference workshop “Writing for Publication and IAHCSMM Fellowship.” This one-hour session will be held at 10:15 a.m. and then will repeat at 1 p.m. Full conference attendees may attend the pre-conference workshop at no extra charge; however, space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the IAHCSMM Annual Conference & Expo, visit www.iahcsmm.org/events/annual-conference-expo.html.
