Certification Boards

Answers

The following are several boards that Dr. Al-Assaf listed when interviewed for the Champion of Quality series; please visit their websites for more information.

1. American Society of Quality The oldest (started in 1946) and largest organization offering quality certification is the American Society of Quality. ASQ originally started as quality experts and manufacturers sought ways to sustain the many quality-improvement techniques used during WW II. They originally certified quality engineers and have since evolved into healthcare and other fields. They provide certification in several areas, listed below. Please visit their website for additional information on the cost and requirements for different types of certification.

• Quality Auditor (CQA) Certification
• Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQOE) Certification, formerly Certified Quality Manager
• Quality Engineer Certification (CQE)
• The Quality Improvement Associate Certification (CQIA) is designed for individuals who don’t necessarily come from a traditional quality area, but have a basic knowledge of quality tools and their uses and is involved in quality improvement projects. Individuals applying for certification by CQIA must have an Associate Degree or two years of work experience.

2. National Association for Healthcare Quality The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is among the nation's leading organization for healthcare quality professionals. Founded in 1976, NAHQ currently comprises more than 5,000 individual members and 100 institutional members. Its goal is to promote the continuous improvement of quality in healthcare by providing educational and development opportunities for professionals at all management levels and within all healthcare settings. The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is the parent professional association of the Healthcare Quality Certification Board (HQCB), which administers the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification exam.

The CPHQ certification recognizes professional and academic achievement by individuals in the field of healthcare quality management. The comprehensive body of knowledge includes quality management, quality improvement, case management, utilization management and risk management at all employment levels and in all healthcare settings. The CPHQ program is fully accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies of the National Organization for Competency Assurance in Washington, DC, the only national voluntary program in the field to achieve this accreditation. Please visit the CPHQ and HQCB web-site to receive detailed information. JB Quality Solutions also offers a two-day intensive course for professionals preparing for CPHQ certification, taught by Janet A. Brown, RN, CPHQ, FNAHQ. The current cost for non-CAHQ members is $595.00. Please visit www.jbqualitysolutions.com for more information.

3. American Board for Quality Assurance and Utilization Review of Professionals ABQAURP offers the Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM) Certification Exam to those individuals that hold valid licensure defined on the ABQAURP website as a current, non-restricted license in each state or territory of the United States in which the candidate is licensed. Those seeking certification must also complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours of approved continuing education that is pertinent to at least one of the exam categories.
For those not currently eligible for ABQAURP certification, they may become involved through ABQAURP’s Association Membership, which allows for discounted enrollment in ABQAURP courses. Association Membership also allows for membership in the Patient Safety Officers Section (PSOS) of ABQAURP. ABQAURP also offers companies and networks involved with workforce injury, illness, and health certification in individual workers compensation and workers compensation education organization.

4. American College for Medical Quality ACMQ is a physician membership specialty society that also offers membership to institutions, organizations, corporations, and healthcare professionals. ACMQ offers fellowships in Medical Quality Management, which serve as a building block for their Distinguished Fellow certification. Fellows must be members of ACMQ and active physicians for at least two years.

5. American Institute for Healthcare Quality The American Institute for Healthcare Quality is a relatively new international organization that is based in the United States and has affiliations with five countries in the Middle East. AIHQ was established to serve the education and technical assistance needs of those in health services management and performance improvement. AIHQ is also affiliated with the University of Oklahoma in delivering a post-graduate certification in health insurance and quality improvement and offers certification as a Fellow of the American Institute for Healthcare Quality. To be eligible for an AIHQ fellowship, applicants must minimally have a Bachelors' degree and be professionals with at least 3 years of QA related experience and 5 years of healthcare related experience. Or, applicants without a Bachelors’ degree must have ten years of health care experience.

6. University of Oklahoma Summer Institute The University of Oklahoma offers an intensive 6-week training course and certification program in quality, followed by an exam. If attendees pass the exam, they receive certification in Certified in Healthcare Quality (CHQ). There is a cost associated with the certification. The program is for clinicians, managers and other health professionals in both public and private organizations. Participants should have at least three years of professional experience and a bachelor’s level degree and working knowledge of English.

To read PSP-One's complete interview with Dr. Al-Assaf, click here.