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Same well-earned distinction new well-recognized
designation:
Competency recognition becomes professional certification.
Effective immediately, IBHRE will officially certify all
those who successfully take the IBHRE exam, including those who have already
received competency recognition.
The new certification designations will be:
- Certified Cardiac Device Specialist – Allied
Professional
- Certified Cardiac Device Specialist –Physician
- Certified EP Specialist – Allied Professional
In addition, the three exams have new names that better
represent the certification they provide. Please note that Cardiac Pacing and
Cardioversion Defibrillation is now referred to as Cardiac Rhythm Device
Therapy.
The new exam names are:
- Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac
Rhythm Device Therapy for the Physician
- Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac
Rhythm Device Therapy for the Allied Professional
- Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac
Electrophysiology for the Allied Professional
Besides receiving the designation, certified heart rhythm
professionals will be able to clearly mark their accomplishment with specially
designed logos and lapel pins. Each certification mark has been sized for
placement on business cards and letterhead, immediately identifying
certification recipients as highly qualified professionals. The elegant lapel
pins bring further distinction, signaling a commendable achievement to patients,
colleagues and other professionals.
The new certification program is part of our ongoing
commitment to add value to our organization, and is a follow up to last year’s
name change. Just as making “International” part of our name clearly reflects
the global value of the exam, the new certification mark places greater emphasis
on the achievement of passing the IBHRE exam. It also gives our organization
greater visibility as we continue to serve as a benchmark for excellence in the
field of cardiac pacing, defibrillation and electrophysiology.
All professionals who have passed the IBHRE exam will receive
a certification pin, and can download the appropriate certification mark for use
on their professional stationery.
The IBHRE logo is intended for the exclusive
use of qualifying examinees. Misuse of the IBHRE credential will result in
denial of initial certification, recertification, revocation, suspension, or any
other limitation of a certification or combination of sanctions.
If you have not yet taken the IBHRE exam, achieving
professional certification is one more reason to do so. As always, preparing for
the exam demonstrates your commitment to the highest professional standards, and
helps you improve the knowledge and skills required to deliver optimal patient
care. Certification also signals that you are serious about advancing in your
career path.
If you have any questions about the new certification
program, please contact ibhre@hrsonline.org
or 202-464-3400.
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Charles J. Love, MD |
"Certification is a term that is well understood and meaningful
to both professionals and patients. That’s one of the reasons IBHRE has
implemented our new certification program. But passing the IBHRE exam and
earning what was previously referred to as competency recognition have always
been a pursuit worthy of the most dedicated professionals. So even though most
people, even those in our area of specialization, had no idea what IBHRE
recognition meant, I was determined to earn it. I put in the time to study for
this examination. And I spent hundreds of dollars on the exam fee and textbooks
to study for the exam. I am now officially certified, but this is simply a new
name for a long-recognized benchmark of excellence.
As I write this article, I am looking at my certificate from
IBHRE on my wall. To understand the significance of this sheet of paper, I
need only to look at the signatures attesting to my “Competency in Cardiac
Pacing”: Seymour Furman, J. Warren Hawthorne, David Hayes, and James Maloney.
These patriarchs of pacing attesting to my ability to diagnose and resolve
complex pacing issues remains a source of great pride to me.
Many physicians and allied professionals consider themselves
“pacemaker” follow-up experts. Though well educated, many know little of the
true nature of pacing and defibrillation. The days of fixed rate VVI devices and
magnet checks are long gone. Today, complex arrhythmia suppression algorithms,
dual sensors, multi-zone arrhythmia detection and treatment algorithms, and
pages of complex diagnostic data are the norm. Professionals who do not
understand these systems in depth not only fail to provide optimal therapy and
device longevity, but risk serious injury to the patient due to inappropriate
programming of implantable defibrillators.
I have watched as my colleagues and associates have come out
from the examination. Many have looks of uncertainty. I can see the thoughts
going through their heads; “Did I pass? Did I fail? Why did I spend so much time
on question 27?” I listen to them at the bar as they try to unwind and forget.
Then the letter arrives. “We are pleased to inform you...” This is when they
stand a little taller, and walk with more pride and confidence than they did the
day before.
I am very fortunate to work with three nurses at The Ohio State
University Heart Center Arrhythmia Device Section. All three have received
IBHRE recognition and can now wear their certification pins with pride. This
serves to show our Medical Center, the community, and our patients how dedicated
and competent our staff are.
So what does the exam mean to me? Effort, commitment, expertise,
and pride. I look at fellow colleagues and associates with IBHRE
certification as being a “cut above.” We are a group that have shown an
exceptional commitment to our field and to our patients. I encourage all who
follow pacemakers and ICDs to join us as we “raise the bar” and ensure
excellence."
Charles J. Love, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS,
CCDS
President
IBHRE Board of Directors
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IBHRE Recertification Is Now Required Every 10
Years.
Significant advances have been made in cardiac
pacing, defibrillation and electrophysiology over the past 10 years. As
changes continue to take place in this field, it becomes more important
than ever for physicians and associated professionals to stay current in
the treatment of patients.
The IBHRE exam has long served as a benchmark for
professional excellence and its recertification program promotes
life-long learning and the enhancement of the knowledge and skills
essential to the delivery of optimal patient care.
Beginning with the Physician pacing-ICD examination of
September 1997, the validity of an examination for recognition purposes
will be of ten years’ duration. The May 1998 Allied Professional
pacing-ICD examination, and those thereafter, will have a duration of
validity of ten years, as will the Allied Professional
electrophysiology examination administered during 1999 and thereafter.
All those who are due for recertification
should make plans now to take the next exam.
In order to maintain your certification you need to:
This requirement is consistent with the guidelines
for competency established by other professional organizations. IBHRE
recertification is a mark of career excellence that affirms your
commitment to quality and demonstrates your current expertise and
knowledge.
Benefits for the Profession and the
Practitioner.
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Improves the quality of patient care
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Sets standards of clinical competency for
cardiac arrhythmia
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Encourages the ongoing learning and
improvement required for professional excellence over a lifetime of
practice
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Helps physicians and APs maintain the quality
of educational expertise and the recognition of their qualifications
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Encourages sharing of knowledge among IBHRE
competency recognition recipients
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