CARDIOVASCULAR CARE COORDINATOR CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Certification Program Overview The Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Certification program was created to promote competence and effectiveness in healthcare professionals who serve as coordinators in hospital cardiovascular programs, e.g., chest pain, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, etc. The program focuses on five core competencies: Project management Team building Strategic data utilization First contact provider education Process improvement Coordinators who meet the eligibility requirements, attend the Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Certification Boot Camp, and pass the certification exam will receive the designation of CCCC. Objectives of Certification Supports the effectiveness of cardiovascular care by promoting standards of competency for coordinators in leadership roles Promotes professional and hospital success by helping coordinators define and obtain the requisite knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities effectively Provides special recognition to coordinators who demonstrate the mastery of acquired knowledge and skills by successful completion of the certification process Identifies individuals with substantive knowledge and leadership skills for the benefit of all staff involved in the continuum of care for cardiovascular patients Initial Certification Eligibility Requirements Must currently serve in a Cardiovascular Care Coordinator role for a minimum of six months prior to attending the Boot Camp Must attend a Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Certification Boot Camp Must successfully complete the certification examination with a score of 80 percent or higher Fees The cost to attend the Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Certification Boot Camp and take the exam is $695. The application fee for recertification is $195; if the applicant chooses to re-take the exam (instead of acquiring the necessary CERPs) to meet the recertification requirements, the cost of the exam is an additional $295. Certification Exam For initial certification, the candidate must pass the examination with a total score of 80 percent or higher. The examination consists of both multiple choice questions that are completed online and essay questions that are submitted separately. We have contracted with unbiased thirdparty reviewers for independent scoring of the essay questions. The exam must be completed by the deadline given at the Boot Camp and posted on the SCPC website. Because a generous timeframe is given to complete the exam, extensions will not be granted. Candidates who choose to take the exam for recertification must apply and pay all fees prior to being given access to the exam. They will be contacted by SCPC via email when they have been approved to take the examination. This email will include instructions for completing the online certification examination and submitting the essay questions. The exam is based on the five core competencies taught in the Boot Camp. There are 50 multiple-choice questions (ten for each core competency) and five essay questions (one for each core competency). A suggested reading list is provided to Boot Camp registrants as additional resources, but the exam is not based on these readings. 10/21/2013 1 P age
Examination Honors Policy The certification exam is an open-book test because coordinator professionals customarily carry out their responsibilities with access to numerous informational resources. Candidates are requested not to seek assistance from other individuals while completing the exam. The examination is offered on an honors system that assumes all candidates will act in good faith to ensure that their performance on the certification exam reflects their own personal knowledge and skills. If SCPC becomes aware of any candidate who does not comply with this requirement, SCPC reserves the right to disqualify the candidate without granting a refund of any fees. In addition, anyone found compromising the security of the examination by attempting to copy, record, or distribute questions in any manner will be permanently excluded from the certification process. Following the Examination When the deadline for the exam has passed, our independent scorers will grade all essay questions and calculate the total grade for each candidate. When all grades have been finalized, SCPC will notify the candidates via email of their performance. The score report will reflect either pass or fail, followed by the specific raw score. Candidates who do not pass the exam may re-take it at a reduced fee of $195 at the next exam offering. Candidates who do not pass the second examination are considered failed. Any repeat examination will require completion of a new application and payment of the full examination fee. Appeals Please note that, due to the standardized nature of question development and the generous time given to complete the examination, no appeal will be allowed regarding the examination process or results. Release of Test Scores SCPC will not release an individual s score report to any other individual or organization without the candidate s written authorization. If the candidate would like his or her test scores released to a third party, the candidate must submit a written request for such release and pay a $30 fee per release. The candidate will specify the party and address to which the score report should be sent. Scores may be released to either an email or postal address. Awarding of Certification Each candidate who meets eligibility requirements and passes the certification examination will receive a certificate testifying that the candidate has successfully completed all of the program requirements and is designated as a Certified Cardiovascular Care Coordinator (C4). This can be signified by CCCC after the individual s name. Each candidate will also receive a C4 lapel pin. Certification is valid for three years. Recertification The goal of recertification is to ensure continuing competence of each C4 and maintain the standard of professionalism and leadership in the cardiovascular care setting. Applicants who become a C4 will be eligible for recertification every three years. For recertification to be granted, the C4 must: Currently serve in a cardiovascular coordinator role (If there are unusual circumstances that prevent a candidate from meeting this requirement, contact SCPC for special consideration. Each case will be evaluated on an individual basis.) Complete the recertification application form and submit it with the application fee of $195. This must be done prior to expiration of the candidate s current certification. All recertification documents and fees must be received by SCPC prior to the expiration date or the applicant will be subject to all initial certification eligibility requirements and fees. Choose one of the following: o Provide supporting documentation to demonstrate that the specified number of CERPs have been earned during the period of the candidate s current certification. o Pay the exam fee of $295 and re-take the exam within the specified timeline given by SCPC. 10/21/2013 2 P age
Submitting the Application and Supporting Documentation The C4 applicant must complete the Recertification Application included in this handbook. If choosing the CERP option for recertification, the candidate must provide appropriate supporting documentation for each CERP selected. Options for CERP point accumulation are shown in the table on the following pages. Clearly indicate on each document the CERP category to which the documentation relates. Submit the application, payment information, and documentation together in one packet or notebook and ship to SCPC. Contact Information Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care Phone: 614-442-5950 Attention: C4 Program Toll Free: 877-271-4176 6161 Riverside Drive info@scpcp.org Dublin, OH 43017 CARDIOVASCULAR CARE COORDINATOR CERTIFICATION (C4) PROGRAM RECERTIFICATION Accumulation of points for recertification must occur within the timeframe of your current certification. You must apply for recertification before your current certification expires. Recertification Option #1 Recertification Option #2 Recertification Option #1 Recertification Option #2 If your current certification expires in 2015: Re-take the C4 exam, which will be offered each spring following the C4 Boot Camp held at SCPC s annual Congress. Cost of the exam is $295. Earn 50 Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) from the list below. If your current certification expires in 2016: Re-take the C4 exam, which will be offered each spring following the C4 Boot Camp held at SCPC s annual Congress. Cost of the exam is $295. Earn 75 Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) from the list below. Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) 1 CEU = 1 CERP Continuing Education Units (CEUs) 1 academic credit hour = 10 CERPs Documentation: Copy of CEU certificate with your name, date(s) of attendance, title of course, and # of contact hours Academic courses related to cardiovascular care or leadership Documentation: Copy of online printout of formal transcript or grade report with course title clearly relating to cardiovascular care or leadership 10 Quality improvement project exemplar Documentation: Project exemplar (up to two single-spaced pages) that includes name and date(s) of project, project description (identification of need, process, and outcome of a C4 lead QI project), description of your role and level of involvement in the project, and formal verification of the project as evidenced by signature of project director or supervisor and his/her contact information 20 Leading your hospital through a successful cardiovascular-focused accreditation from SCPC after you received your initial C4 certification Documentation: Copy of your facility s accreditation certificate or official letter of accreditation 10/21/2013 3 P age
1 hour = 1 CERP Participation in an SCPC-sponsored webinars Documentation: Provide name of webinar and date of participation; SCPC staff will verify your participation. 5 Leadership position (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Board Member, Facilitator) in a cardiovascular professional organization (ACC, AHA, AAHFN, HFSA, PCNA, etc.) at the local, regional, or national level Documentation: Written verification from the organization of your leadership role 5 Membership in a cardiovascular professional organization Documentation: Copy of membership card or valid proof of membership provided by the organization 5 Membership and participation in the C4 LinkedIn Group Documentation: Screen shot from LinkedIn demonstrating your participation 10 Professional certification from a cardiovascular, emergency, or quality focused professional organization (CCRN, CEN, CHFN, CPHQ) Documentation: Copy of your certificate with your name, certification granted, and effective date 5 Professional presentation (guest lecturer, panel member, or presenter of original paper or poster) of a cardiology or quality initiative topic at a clinical conference 1 hour class ( CEU) = 1 CERP Documentation: Evidence of participation in the presentation, such as official program guide, brochure, announcement, or written statement Inservice or educational event related to a C4 core competency Documentation: Written verification of attendance, including your name, date(s) of attendance, title of course, and # of course hours (not including breaks and lunch); must be signed by educator or director of course Published in a cardiovascular or quality-related topic: 5 Abstract 5 Journal article 10 Textbook chapter author or editor 5 Service on editorial board 15 Masters thesis 20 Doctoral dissertation Documentation: Copy of the title page and table of contents; publisher s note of acceptance for publication should be submitted if CERPs are to be granted before printing. SCPC s 2014 Congress offers C4s the opportunity to accumulate CEU credits/cerp points towards C4 recertification. By attending a combination of both pre-conference workshops and Congress sessions, C4s can potentially earn 32 CEU credits/32 CERPs. 10/21/2013 4 P age
CCCC Certified Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Application for Recertification BE SURE TO ENCLOSE: 1. Completed, signed application 2. Supporting documentation as outlined in the CCCC Handbook (if you choose CERP option for recertification) MAIL TO: Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care ATTN: C4 Program 6161 Riverside Drive Dublin, OH 43017 Candidate Information Last Name First Name Middle Initial Home Street Address City State Zip Country Name of Facility (Employer) Business Street Address City State Zip Country Business Phone Business Fax Business Email Address Education Name of Institution City/State Degree College or University Postgraduate Training Other
Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Information What is your service line specialty? Chest Pain Heart Failure Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Other (specify) How long have you been in a CV Care Coordinator role at your current facility and other facilities? 0-1 year 1-2 years 2-5 years Over 5 years If you have been in a CV Care Coordinator role at facilities other than your current facility, please list all facilities and applicable dates: Is the Coordinator role your only role within your facility? Yes No If No, what is your current position within your facility? ED Staff ED Management Cardiac Staff Cardiac Management QA/QI Staff QA/QI Management Other (specify) Medical Society Memberships Name of Society Office Held (if any) Dates
Payment Information Check one: MasterCard Visa Card # CSC# (3 digits) Exp. Date Signature (required): Date Check one box below: I am choosing the CERP option for recertification and give consent for my credit card to be charged $195 for the application only. I am taking the exam for recertification and give consent for my credit card to be charged $490 ($195 for the application and $295 for the exam fee.) Acknowledgement I hereby apply to renew my certification from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC) as a Certified Cardiovascular Care Coordinator. I have read and understand all of the contents of the Certified Cardiovascular Care Coordinator Handbook, and I understand that I am subject to all of the requirements for recertification as described therein. I authorize SCPC to make any necessary inquiries that it deems necessary to verify my credentials, preparation, activities, and any other information included in or submitted with this application. Signature Date