The FPIC Mentorship Program aims to connect new members of our profession with experienced members to equip new Infection Preventionists in Florida to be knowledgeable, confident, and successful leaders in eliminating healthcare-associated infections. The mentoring relationship is designed to facilitate networking opportunities and to serve as a resource for prevention issues.

Roles and Responsibilities:  

FPIC Mentors agree to have monthly contact (virtually or by phone) with their matched mentee to establish goals, communication channels and guide, encourage and support the mentee. Mentors are limited to one mentee relationship for up to one year or a duration to be agreed upon by the mentor and mentee.

Specific activities include:

• Share experiences and wisdom gained while serving as a healthcare infection prevention professional.
• Provide expert comment and situational analysis.
• Share informal networks and resources and serve as a “sounding board”.
• Encourage and motivate the mentee to work toward their individual objectives.
• Encourage mentee to contribute to the collective knowledge of our profession and to join our efforts to advocate infection prevention.

FPIC Mentees are responsible for scheduling meetings, preparing the topics for discussion and sending an agenda with topics that matter most to each mentee.

Specific activities include:

• Take responsibility for the relationship by helping to establish overall objectives and setting the agenda and outlining expectations.
• Proactively engage the mentor by engaging in a dialog on topics appropriate for the mentoring relationship.
• Ask questions and be open and receptive to feedback.
• Be respectful of your mentor's time and ideas.
• Work to deepen the skills associated with the Infection Prevention Profession.

Topics that are appropriate as part of the Mentor – Mentee Relationship:

• Strategies for enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills for infection prevention professionals.
• Methods for applying textbook concepts to real-life situations.
• Strategies for working with clinical and support services leaders to position IPs to be most effective in influencing best practices to minimize infection risk.
• Scientific skills, e.g., epidemiology and statistics, and management skills, such as effective presentations.

During the enrollment process, mentees will select topics (listed above) that are of the most interest to them and they will then be matched with mentors who have appropriate experience in various topics as listed above

Criteria for Participation:

The FPIC Mentorship program is open to all members of the society as a benefit of membership in the society.   FPIC members who are willing to serve as mentors are selected by the membership committee (for a one-year term) and then matched with mentees who apply to participate in the program.

In order to serve as a mentor a FPIC member must:

• Be a current member of FPIC.
• Be employed as an Infection Control or Infection Prevention Professional with at least 5 years of experience.

Click Here to Apply to Participate in the FPIC Mentor Program