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WHY IBHRE CERTIFICATION?

What is the Meaning of IBHRE Certification?

  • Serves as a validation of your cardiac pacing and electrophysiology qualifications
  • Recognizes your achievement of an international standard that goes beyond the scope of licensure
  • Successfully measures your knowledge based on predetermined standards in heart rhythm management

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How does IBHRE Certification Benefit Me?
  • Professional Achievement - IBHRE certificants have distinguished themselves in their career
  • Professional Opportunities - IBHRE certificants have influence and input among their colleagues
  • Career Advancement – IBHRE certificants professionals advance in the workplace
  • Personal Accomplishment - IBHRE certificants routinely report a sense of pride, fulfillment and empowerment as a result of passing the exam

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How does IBHRE Certification contribute to My Team?

IBHRE certified professionals are key healthcare team members who:

  • Embrace advancements in technology and adapt to healthcare changes to deliver quality care to a growing patient population
  • Accurately assess patients and provide critical documentation
  • Implement evidence-based plans of care
  • Monitor and guide selection and use of pharmaceutical formulas
  • Provide comprehensive education to medical, specialized, and auxiliary staff
  • Develop strategies to prevent complications
  • Train, coach, and provide guidance to patients and families

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Why do Employers support IBHRE Certification?
  • A means to recruit and retain qualified heart rhythm professionals
  • Knowledge that their physicians and allied professionals have met rigorous national and international requirements
  • Confirmation that physicians and allied professionals are role models of professional accountability
  • A commitment to safety and quality in patient care through robust support of certification, continuing education and recertification
  • To honor the public’s trust in assuring safe and effective care

A survey conducted by IBHRE reports that organizations and hospitals recognize a higher level of performance from staff who are IBHRE certified. IBHRE certificants report a higher sense of personal satisfaction, proficiency, salary, as well as an increased level of confidence in their interactions with colleagues.

The increased recognition of IBHRE Certification as an integral part of heart rhythm education and training requirements is evidence of the critical role that IBHRE has taken in the advancement of heart rhythm management. Over the years IBHRE certification has been adopted by international healthcare ministries as the standard of competency for healthcare professionals. IBHRE surveys show that organizations recognize a higher level of performance from and prefer to hire IBHRE certificants. A majority of industry and clinical employers now require the certification for hire and career advancement. Employers suggest that IBHRE Certification is often associated with seniority, leadership roles, increased responsibility and direct involvement in staff education training activities. Physicians reveal the greatest benefit of IBHRE Certification is credibility, personal satisfaction, colleague recognition and implanting privileges for requiring hospitals. Allied professionals convey that they benefit from IBHRE Certification through some form of employer recognition (pay increase, promotion, increased respect and credibility). The Heart Rhythm Society has documented the IBHRE Certification as a recommended training requirement for electrophysiology, cardiac pacing and arrhythmia management for physicians who wish to incorporate CIED implantation and follow-up into their clinical practice. The Society further identifies the IBHRE Certification as a key eligibility requirement for their FHRS fellows program.

See how IBHRE Certification is being recognized across the profession!

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A Growing International Presence

For the international-based physician, passing the IBHRE exam means that you hold one of the highest standards of excellence in your field with a credential that is recognized world-wide. The exam raises your level of professionalism and academic credibility in Pacing and EP. IBHRE Certification is held by physicians all over the world who pass the exam to meet hospital requirements, obtain employment or to obtain specialty certification from a world-wide recognized organization with a proven history of competency testing. The IBHRE certification program is validated by ANSI/ISO Standard 17024 adherence to international standards in the management of its certification programs. The certification serves as a critical tool for assessment of knowledge and continuing development in one’s career. Recipients of IBHRE certification are professionally competent, demonstrate advanced skills in clinical practices, and are highly respected by a global network of medical professionals.

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American College of Cardiology

IBHRE is recognized under the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) Cardiovascular Practice Recognition Program (CVRP). The practice-level assessment and recognition program is designed specifically to identify quality in cardiovascular practice. The program is offered as a method for cardiovascular practitioners and health care purchasers to understand and evaluate quality cardiovascular care. The CVRP establishes legitimate goals and targets for cardiovascular specialists and their practices to achieve in professional development, clinical processes and operational infrastructure. In addition, it provides a road map to guide performance improvement and practice transformation strategies, and bring consistency to market by standardizing the methodology for how cardiovascular practices are assessed and recognized. The CVRP is an evolving program that encourages innovation, stimulates improvement and raises the bar for quality cardiovascular care.

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American National Standards Institute Accreditation

IBHRE is recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 (General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification Systems of Persons) for the accreditation of three of its certification examinations (ANSI accredited Certifier- #0787). ANSI accreditation is an un-matched achievement which speaks to the quality and efficiency of the IBHRE certification Program. The ANSI institute oversees the creation, promulgation and uses of thousands of guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector. ANSI empowers its members and constituents to strengthen the U.S. marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety and health of consumers and the protection of the environment. ANSI also actively engages in accrediting programs that assess conformance standards including globally-recognized cross-sector programs such as the International Standards Organization.

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American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Status

IBHRE certification designations (CCDS and CEPS) are recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as Tier III certification credentials that may be submitted by hospitals and healthcare organizations in achieving Magnet Status. Magnet Status is a prestigious award given for excellence in nursing. This recognition by ANCC is yet another example of the growing visibility of the IBHRE credentials in the greater health care field.

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COCATS 6: Training in Specialized Electrophysiology, Cardiac Pacing and Arrhythmia Management

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) have addressed training requirements and guidelines for permanent pacemaker selection, implantation, and follow-up; guidelines for the implantation and follow-up of ICDs in cardiovascular practice; guidelines for training in catheter ablation procedures; and teaching objectives for fellowship programs in clinical electrophysiology. The Heart Rhythm Society strongly recommends the COCATS Task Force 6 training requirements for CIEDs. The Society recommends that physicians who wish to incorporate CIED implantation and follow-up into their clinical practice meet:

  • The training requirements described in the COCATS 6 document; and
  • Passage of the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners’ (IBHRE) Examination of Competency in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Physician; and/or
  • The American Board of Internal Medicine CCEP Examination (for those who complete a CCEP fellowship, which demonstrate knowledge essential to the practice of heart rhythm management).

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Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society

In 2010, the Heart Rhythm Society announced new eligibility criteria to become a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society (FHRS) as part of their continuing effort to elevate the prominence of the field of electrophysiology. The new criteria are tailored to the Society's diverse and international membership of physicians, allied health professionals and research scientists.

The IBHRE Certification satisfies the following three of five FHRS eligibility criteria.

Likewise, to qualify for FHRS, IBHRE Certification is a requirement for two of the five stated criteria (pediatric cardiologist and allied professionals).

The FHRS designation distinguishes physicians and allied professionals among health care providers and researchers for advanced training, certification and commitment to the field of electrophysiology. It will clarify the referral process and serve as a credential for quality care among health care providers, patients, the media and government. As a result, it will help to publicize fellows’ skills in the treatment and/or research of heart rhythm disorders.

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HRS: Find a Specialist

The Heart Rhythm Society’s publicly searchable directory, Find a Specialist, consists of HRS members who have requested to have their contact and practice information listed for patient and physician referral purposes. As of Spring 2011, HRS is now including IBHRE credentials as a searchable feature for patients who are seeking physicians.

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Japanese Ministry of Health

IBHRE is recognized in Japan as the authorized certification body for cardiac pacing allied professionals. To satisfy competency requirements and assure quality health care practices, the Japanese Ministry of Health collaborated with IBHRE to develop a tailored-language device therapy examination to meet the competency needs of the Japanese healthcare system. The Japanese Ministry of Health mandated that allied professionals, sales representatives, technical advisors and others who come in contact with patients from the medical device industry must be certified. With an internationally diverse pool of subject matter experts and over 25 years of sub-specialty testing, IBHRE was uniquely positioned to meet this international mandate. This mandate ensured a meaningful standard of knowledge for those involved in assisting physicians and other health care workers in the implantation and management of pacemakers and ICDs.

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