Money Saving Certification Opportunity for AAWC Membership

There is a difference between having a certificate and being certified. Having a certificate means that an individual has completed required courses of learning in a particular area. Being certified means that an individual has the specific knowledge and skills required to perform successfully in a particular role. Certification in health care originated from the specialty organizations in the field, with the purpose of conferring upon their members public recognition of having met these criteria of knowledge and required skills. Certifications of value have historically been those that are supported or endorsed by the specialty organization in the field.

In the healthcare field, being certified and maintaining certification is more often than not an essential requirement to remaining in a job. Standards of care evolve based on research findings and practical experience, and keeping current on best in class practices makes a difference in patient outcomes. Maintaining certification provides independent verification of certain levels of expertise and on the job capabilities.

In wound care, there are numerous certifications which can be earned, and members of the AAWC represent virtually all of them. Once earned, certifications are valid for varying periods of time and may last up to a decade before re-certification is required.

While some employers pay for an employee to maintain certification, it is increasingly a cost line axed by tightening budgets leaving an individual to cover the costs independently. Until now, there has been no alternative to the high cost of maintaining certifications.

The American Board of Wound Healing has recently offered a special opportunity to AAWC membership to grandfather existing certifications at no cost. Modeled after other American Board of Medical Specialties organizations, the ABWH is an example of a professional society that supports and endorses a certification in wound care. Further, ABWH does not charge annual maintenance fees to its certificate holders.
 
“This opportunity offers a significant savings to the AAWC membership,” said Victoria Elliott, R.Ph., MBA, CAE and Chief Executive Officer, AAWC. “We are grateful to ABWH for recognizing the depth of capabilities of our membership and its willingness to support the certification process in this way.”

Savings to the AAWC membership will vary according to the certifications held. For those with multiple certifications, the accumulating costs are significant. For example, an individual with a certificate valid for 10 years paying an annual maintenance fee of $150 will pay $1,500 for the duration of the certification. At expiration, additional fees are required to complete reexaminations to maintain certification and once renewal is earned, the maintenance fees continue unabated.

With the offer from ABWH, through November 2019 all AAWC members may apply for a conferment of their existing certification(s) to the equivalent ABWH certification. On completion of a satisfactory review by the ABWH Board, the comparable certification(s) will be issued. The ABWH does not charge an annual maintenance fee. Successful applicants must maintain AAWC membership for the duration of the certification period. Re-certification requirements as outlined with each exam category will apply.

“ABWH recognizes the high degree of expertise represented by the AAWC membership,” said Greg Bohn, MD and President, American Board of Wound Healing. “We are pleased to make this offer to them.”

The process for AAWC members to take advantage of this opportunity is as follows. An applicant would identify the appropriate category for certification and submit the required documentation as indicated in the application. In addition, the Applicant would provide ABWH with:

  • Current certification, including dates of expiration
  • Documentation of current AAWC membership
  • A complete application with required information supporting the certification requested

After review and confirmation by ABWH leadership, comparable certification will be issued. A copy of the certificate can be provided on request and for a small fee. ABWH will advise the AAWC about which members have become certified and the expiration date of the certification. To qualify for certification conferment, applicants must maintain continuous membership in AAWC and comply with re-certification requirements as outlined with each exam category. 

More information can be obtained by visiting https://abwh.net/recertification/.

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