Health Information Technology Certification Education
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Frequently asked Questions and Responses (FAQs)
Welcome to the FAQs section for the Health Information Technology certification programs. This area is provided to you as a source of information that may be more clarified, related to questions you may have in regards to our certification program. Information regarding recertification, as well as information about our online continuing education courses, is also provided. We highly recommend that you first thoroughly review all of the information on our website, under the main page for the Health Information Technology Certification. Access here .
What is Certification?
Response: certification is a voluntary process, which is provided by a well organized organization, that through its qualified advisory boards, develops comprehensive and quality standards for the practice of a type of specialty. The developed standards address high quality requirements for the practice of a certain specialty. The defined standards speak to educational and/or practice requirements, any required prerequisites, and the need to adhere to a defined code of ethics for the practice specialty. Certification is a voluntary process. It is different than any type of licensing. Certification is one means by which professionals may be publicly recognized as achieving a high level of education, knowledge base and practice skills for a certain health care related specialty. Certification also assists employer organizations and clients in their assessment of appropriate qualifications for candidates seeking positions in organizations and/or involved in private practices. It is commonly held, today, that certification by a very well organized professional organization, is fast becoming a "gold standard" for specialty practices. Certification testifies and provides a verification of defined educational requirements, adherence to a solid code of ethics, and in many instances prerequisites of practice experience for working with health care related services.
What are the criteria/standards I will need to meet to achieve certification?
Response: The educational criteria and standards are well and clearly defined within our website. Please access our main page to preview these requirements. Access here.
May I apply for and be conferred certification if I have been practicing/working in health care technology without the need to meet the educational requirements?
Response: No. The Board that oversees the development and approval of defined criteria and standards for certification will not consider only practice experience as meeting requirements in full. This decision was made as those who are already in health care technology practices/positions have varied and different experiences related to life coaching in health care education and counseling and there is no insured uniformity that all who have practiced in health care technology have the same knowledge base and skills attainment. The evaluation of one's past practice experiences in health care practices is highly variable and subjective. As such, the Board has developed objective criteria/standards for the conferral of certification. For these reasons, practice experience without the attainment of education will not be considered as fulfilling criteria and standards for our certification.
Over the years, I have completed many seminars and continuing education courses related to Health care information technology. Will these apply toward the education requirements for certification?
Response: No, under ordinary circumstances. One would have to verify completion of college level courses or continuing education courses directly related to Health Information Technology. The courses would have to be "comparable" to our defined continuing education courses in our curriculum. The content of the courses must be comparable, as well as the hours of continuing education. Those who believe they may have already obtained comparable education and study in this specialty may submit a proposal to us, including all verifications of course completions, course descriptions, school or organization attended, etc. Each such submission will be evaluated on an individual basis.
What is the major practice focus of a certified health information technology specialist?
Response: a certified health information technology specialist, as defined by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc, is a degreed and educated professional who has successfully completed a comprehensive education program specifically related to current facets of health care information technology. A certified health information technology specialist has demonstrated through education and competency testing, the ability, knowledge and skills to work successfully with information systems specifically related to health care. The health information technology specialist has achieved a wide base of knowledge related to modern practices and technologies specific to health care information systems. The health information specialist has also demonstrated competency and acquisition of knowledge in the domain of health care systems and uses this knowledge in his/her practice.
Health information technology (HIT) is “the application of information processing involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making (Brailer, & Thompson, 2004)." For more information on the role and focus, you may access this link.
Where do certified health information technology specialists practice?
Response: Certified Health Information Technology Specialists practice their specialty in virtually any health care setting/delivery model in which care is provided and in which information systems may be involved. Most all health care organizations and agencies utilize information management systems and other related technological support. Especially important is work related to the medical record
Does the American institute of health care professionals provide approval's for education programs whose graduates would qualify for being conferred certification?
Response: Yes. We do provide a full program approval process for those education facilities and or organizations providing education related to forensic nursing practices. Applications for program approval are thoroughly reviewed and must adhere to the defined standards and criteria as established by the advisory board. Once a particular education program has been approved it is then posted as an approved program on our website (view approved programs). Graduates of programs we have approved may apply for certification. Any formal education program offering a comprehensive program related to health information technology practice, may submit their program for review.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ACHIEVING THIS CERTIFICATION?
Response: There is a two-phase process. In order to provide clear and sufficient information on the process we have developed a separate page that defines the process. You may access this information on the certification process at this link: click here.
How can I make application?
Response: Making application is an easy process. We provide on this website a link to a printable application. Those wishing to make application may access this link, print out the application form, completed it, and submit it to our office for review. You may access online applications at this link. Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All applications that are submitted must be complete and include all required documents and verifications as specified for review and consideration of certification conferral. Before making any application, you must meet the defined pre-requisite to enter the program and have successfully completed the full continuing education curriculum, or a curriculum from a program that AIHCP, Inc. has officially approved.
Once I have achieved certification, must I ever be re certified?
Response: Yes. A conferred certification has a period of 4 years. At the end of the four year period the certification will expire. The American Institute of Health Care Professionals provides a full program for recertification. Detailed information on the criteria to be recertified, after the four year initial certification period, is provided on our website. Access here.
I am currently certified by the American institute of health care professionals as a certified health information technology specialist. I know I am required to achieve additional education in order to qualify for recertification in the future. Do you offer any continuing education courses that I may take to meet my recertification requirements?
Response: We will soon be offering continuing education courses related to topics of forensic nursing practice which are approved for the required continuing education hours for recertification.
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