Now for the good news: Despite the often difficult and lengthy journey, there are some tried and true strategies that can help state CSSD chapters tip the scales of success in their favor, according to Mary Olivera, chairman of the IAHCSMM Ad Hoc Committee on Mandatory Certification and past president of the New York State Association of Central Service Professionals. Olivera and Julie Williamson, IAHCSMM’s media relations manager and Ad Hoc Committee member, outlined these strategies for success to a roomful of attendees during a May 1, 2010 pre-conference workshop at IAHCSMM’s annual meeting in San Diego.

"This process is a journey. It can [take] many months and even years," explained Olivera. "If you’re willing to [stay the course], you can reach that goal. But it takes preparation and dedication to see it through."

The IAHCSMM Ad Hoc Committee on Mandatory Certification, established in 2008, has developed an array of user-friendly tools and resources – such as an educational brochure, sample letters to state officials and legislators, and meeting scripts – to assist CSSD professionals in their mandatory certification efforts, regardless of where they are in the process.

"Those of us who have been through this process can share what was learned so others don’t have to keep reinventing the wheel," Olivera stressed.

All big projects require careful, diligent planning and mandatory certification initiatives are a prime example. Before attempting to impress state officials on the needs and benefits of mandatory certification, it’s essential to assemble a dedicated, unified and consistent team (one that is willing to stick with the process for the long haul). With that in place, research and data-gathering become a priority. This includes:

• Having a good understanding of a state’s regulatory and legislative structure (which domain encompasses the CSSD profession? What are the current Department of Health requirements and how do those apply to CSSD? How are regulations enforced and who is responsible for enforcing them?)

• Determining which officers at the DOH are responsible for changing regulations (even the best laid plans and hardest fought efforts will be wasted if the team targets the wrong official).

• Develop a strategic meeting goal and message that is based on what is known about the official (try and use a message that will hit home for that individual and gain his or her support of your goal).

• Compiling clear, concise suggestions on how regulations should be revised to successfully promote quality and safety through mandatory certification.

• Gathering necessary data to advance the mission, including literature, standards, references, and relevant materials from other states pursuing mandatory certification that will help support the need for quality and ongoing education in the CSSD profession.

• Being prepared to educate legislators and state officials on the CSSD profession (this will include what the CSSD does and how, and why it’s important). Without this critical information, your efforts will likely fall on deaf ears.

• Keep it short, sweet and to the point. A team may have only ten minutes or so to convey their message and drum up support, so the more concise – and precise – the message and goal, the better the chances for success.

• Picking a champion at the state legislative level to rally behind the cause and lend ongoing support.

Before a meeting actually takes place, the team should conduct mock meetings, which includes following scripts and role playing to hammer out tough questions that may be asked before, during or after the meeting.

"You want to anticipate what might be asked, so you can prepare in advance," noted Olivera. Should a question be asked during the actual meeting that the team cannot answer, be upfront and inform the official that the information requested will be gathered and provided as soon as possible. "And deliver on that promise."

Each committee member plays a different, yet equally important, role. The meeting leader, for example, begins the meeting, introduces the group member, and gives the meeting overview. The story teller provides a story/anecdote related to the issue (this could be a personal story about a negative surgical outcomes or, perhaps, even a news article that highlighted a processing error that potentially infected hundred of patients). The pitcher asks the state official specific questions, and the recorder logs what the official said and the outcome of the meeting. Supporting actors are there to support the action in other ways, as determined by the team.

Because navigating the process of mandatory certification can be challenging at times, Olivera and Williamson stressed the importance of perseverance and teamwork.

"This is just the beginning. If you run into challenges, and you probably will, don’t get discouraged," said Olivera. "Keep moving forward and don’t give up. Your efforts will pay off in the end."

In the meantime, attendees were encouraged to network and tap the expertise and insights from their peers and other potentially supportive individuals.

"Look around this room. Each person is here because of the shared goal of pursuing mandatory certification. Talk to the people seated around you. Ask where they are in the process and if they can provide any additional information that could help you in your [mission]," Williamson said. "Networking is extremely powerful and we can all learn from each other if we just reach out and ask."

In the coming months, IAHCSMM will be offering even more resources to assist CSSD professionals in their quest for mandatory certification. In addition to regularly updated content on the IAHCSMM website (including state initiative summaries and a color-coded map to visually identify which states are involved in mandatory certification efforts, and to which extent), the Association will also be creating a Mandatory Certification section in the monthly online newsletter, Central Source, which will feature a designated Question and Answer portion, with responses being provided by members of the Ad Hoc Committee.