Why Should I Recertify?

What is the purpose of recertification?

How does it benefit the consumer?

How does it benefit the profession?

How does it benefit the individual?

Why an exam?

What about CERPs?

What do I need to do?

 

What is the purpose of recertification?
Most Health Professional Groups are requiring documentation of continuing education and/or competence for registration, licensure or certification to remain current. The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is no different. It is no longer the case that the skills and knowledge a person acquires before, and are examined at original certification reflect the competence of that person to practice in the field in years to come. As the profession’s knowledge base continues to expand rapidly and new insights and practices develop, it is essential that International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) maintain their level of expertise and knowledge. Recertification is a means of documenting the competence of people to continue to practice in the profession and so provides a safer and higher quality healthcare for the public. In asking IBCLCs to recertify, IBLCE fulfils its mandate to protect the public, particularly mothers and babies.

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How does it benefit the consumer?
Mothers want to able to identify people with the skills, competence and knowledge to help them breastfeed. The IBCLC credential was initially established with this in mind, but the requirement of recertification ensures that those holding the credential continue to update and maintain their skill and knowledge level. As consumers of IBCLC services, mothers can therefore be sure that any IBCLC they see will be up-to-date and competent regardless of when they were first certified.

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How does it benefit the profession?
Recertification increases public confidence in the profession as those not prepared to maintain the required level of skill and knowledge are no longer certified. IBCLCs and other Health Care Professionals can assume that those IBCLCs with whom they work are current and professionally competent. Hospitals, other employers and work colleagues can see that the profession takes the role of further education, competency and quality seriously.

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How does it benefit the individual?
While most IBCLCs are self-motivated to learn more about breastfeeding related issues, recertification highlights the need for them to remain current and proficient within a rapidly developing and changing profession. It emphasises the responsibility of all Practitioners to know their own strengths and weaknesses and to identify areas that would benefit from further education, promoting life long learning. By knowing that there are ongoing competency assessment and assurance requirements a person’s performance and practice may change to incorporate these aspects. For many people demonstrating continued competence brings a sense of pride and achievement in their accomplishment, and a sense of camaraderie with other IBCLCs throughout the world.

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Why an exam?
Only practice audit and re-examination have been correlated by research to continuing competence. Practice audit is not economically or logistically practical for an international organisation such as the IBLCE. Retaking the exam at least every 10 years has been chosen as the way to ensure at least ongoing entry-level competence for all IBCLC’s. Retaking the exam encourages people to update their knowledge and skills in all areas of the blueprint rather than specific topics of interest. This ensures they are ‘well rounded’ IBCLC’s.

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What about CERPs?
Attending continuing education sessions demonstrates a person’s desire to keep knowledge and practice up-to-date. To gain as much as possible from CERPs activities such as conferences, work place sessions, seminars, Independent Study Modules or courses (in person, on-line or by distant education) IBCLCs should take into account the following guidelines.

• Know your knowledge deficits
• Find educational programmes that can fill that deficit
• Provide evidenced based information and management
• Assess knowledge attained

Acknowledge how this knowledge will affect your practice.

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What do I need to do?
IBCLCs need to recertify every five years. This is by exam at least every 10 years. Recertification by CERPs can be used five years after taking the exam. Each IBCLC requires 75 CERPs to recertify. This is made up of at least 50 L (lactation related) CERPs and 5 E(ethics) CERPs. The remainder can be made up of L, E or R (related) CERPs.

(Acknowledgement to Wendy Brodribb)

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