Professional Certification: One Aspect of Professional Development

As one who holds two certifications, the #CPHIMS and the #PMP as well as the #FHIMSS designation, I have done so to demonstrate my commitment and dedication to health IT and management systems. Both certifications that I earned combine requirements of education and experience, while also requiring the passing of a rigorous exam. Once accomplished, then I must maintain my credentials with continuing education over three years, most of which is available through the HIMSS eLearning Academy, or, re-sit for the exam. I always choose to maintain my credentials through education rather than re-take an exam.

Many times, I am asked why HIMSS requires educational credentials and a certain level of related work experience. Why don’t we just permit anyone to pass an exam to become certified?

The answer is simple: by requiring a level of post-secondary education coupled with related health IT experience, candidates demonstrate competency and mastery of a profession. Such a requirement is common across certification programs. For example, from an association management perspective: the CAE (Certified Association Executive) requires five years of work experience in an association and educational components. Once an individual earns the CAE credential, continuing education must be undertaken to maintain the credential.

Based on my experience in the association management environment, I will become eligible to prepare for the exam in May 2011. If the CAE was merely an exam, I would not have had the opportunity to learn and develop professionally as a health IT and management systems association executive over these past 4-½ years.

Currently, HIMSS is working collaboratively with Bellevue College in Bellevue, Wash. with a generous grant provided by the National Science Foundation to create the Certified Specialist in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CSHIMS) credential that will serve as a career pathway to the #CPHIMS. This certification is designed for professionals entering the health IT field wishing to demonstrate their competency in implementation and other technical aspects.

We want to hear from you. What certifications do you value?