ANI offers career-enhancing certification opportunities - Brief Article

Healthcare Financial Management, June, 2002

HFMA certification is a recognized mark of distinction in the healthcare financial management profession. Recent surveys show a correlation between professional certification and career advancement. Certified members receive higher compensation and are more likely to be hired and promoted than their noncertified colleagues. This year, HFMA members again will have an opportunity to earn a certification in healthcare financial management during the ANI.

Coaching Courses and Examinations

The national coaching courses will be offered on-site on Sunday June 16, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The core examination course will be offered from 8 AM to noon in Room 610. Coaching courses for the specialty examinations (accounting and finance, Room 615; financial management of physician practices, Room 612; managed care, Room 604; and patient financial services, Room 611) will be offered from 1 to 5 PM on Sunday.

HEMA members can take the certification examinations on-site. The computer-based certification testing will be available by appointment between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM on Monday June 17, in the West Room of the Seattle Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Walk-ins will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Participants will receive their scores immediately upon completion of the examination.

Certification Information Reception

ANI attendees who want to learn more about HFMA'S certification program can attend a certification information reception from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Monday June 17, in the East Room of the Seattle Sheraton Hotel & Towers.

Information will be provided on what certification is, how to achieve it, computer-based testing, and tools to help prepare for the certification examination. Attendees who already are certified can learn about chapter-based testing and how to become a proctor.

Certified Member Lunch

HFMA certified members are invited to attend a special luncheon from 12:45 to 2:30 PM on Tuesday June 18, in Grand Ballroom C of the Seattle Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Entertainment will be provided by comedian Rod Long.

Career Self-Assessment

A self-assessment session is scheduled from 8 AM to noon on Sunday, June 16, in Room 605 of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center for members who have preregistered for the session and completed a written self-assessment tool.

Attendees will receive feedback regarding their self-assessment and will learn how to set professional-development goals, measure their attainment of key competencies, and draft a career plan.

For those who want individual career counseling, Hal Patterson, president, Hal Patterson Enterprises, Denver, Colorado, and HFMA career-resources consultant, will be available to provide one-on-one assistance by appointment, Sunday June 16, through Wednesday June 19.

Attendees can register for any of these activities at the HFMA registration desk.

RELATED ARTICLE: Develop Your Career, Become Certified!

HFMA's certification programs lea to the designation Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) and Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA). Meeting the HFMA certification requirements helps prepare you for increasingly responsible positions in the health care industry and demonstrates your dedication to professional development and a higher standing.

While the returns on becoming certified are significant in terms of increased salary and promotion potential, the time investment may not be as big as one might expect. The average preparation time for the core examination is 20 hours, and for one of the specialty examination, its is 16 hours Do you have 36 hours to invest in your future? Examinations now are available at ANI and at your local chapter. Take advantage of this opportunity to invest in you future today!

To find everything you need to know about HFMA's professional certification program and obtain an on-line registration form, study aids, and sample test questions, go to:

http://www.hfma.org/careers/certification_program/index.htm