Self-assessment tool
After redrafting the professional core competencies
document and publication (ICNA 2000), the next
Structure developed
Domain
Area of competence
Competency statement
Key criteria
for the core competencies (first edition)
Overarching area of practice
One or more areas of practice that fit
under the defined domain
Statement of the practice standard
The individual measurable components, the
sum of whose parts make up the competency
IABLL2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ B
Competency domains
Domain
Specialist knowledge
Clinical research
Management and
leadership
Teaching and learning
Evidence-based
practice
and areas of competence (first edition)
Area of competence
Microbiology
Immunology
Epidemiology
Decontamination
Practices to prevent and control
infection
Interpreting research
Conducting research
Managing an infection control service
Facilitating learning in others
Self-learning and professional development
Using research in practice
Using audit to improve quality
(ICNA 2000)
step was the development ofthe self-assessment
tool. This became the working element of the
whole process by which members could evaluate
their performance and Identify areas where
development might be indicated.
It was necessary to identify a system of
measurement of competence and it seemed
appropriate to adopt a system that was already
well documented and tested. The novice-toexpert
model described by Benner (1984)
provided the standard level descriptors used.
Level descriptors are the definition of
achievement against the standard, that is, novice,
advanced beginner, competent, proficient and
expert. Based on the original thinking of Dreyfuss
and Dreyfuss (1980), Benner's (1984) model
seemed to fit the development of skills for ICNs.
Training ICNs will be new to the specialty of
infection control. Experienced nurses are likely to
be competent or even expert in some domains
because many ofthe skills required for the role are
transferable, for example, teaching and research
skills. This approach was used as the measure of