American Board of Audiology® (ABA) Launches First Certificate Training Program for Future Audiology Preceptors
Reston, VA (PRWEB) March 22, 2016 -- The American Board of Audiology® (ABA) today announced the launch of its Certificate Holder–Audiology Preceptor (CH-AP™) Training Program for licensed audiologists and university faculty audiologists who provide the vitally important audiological clinical instruction that is required for audiology students to earn their degrees.
The new CH-AP, which will be available through the American Academy of Audiology eAudiology Web-based platform, is the first national assessment-based certificate training program for audiology preceptors and was created to offer ease of access to valuable training materials that will offer comprehensive, uniform, and formal training.
“Preceptors are responsible for more than one-fourth of an audiology student’s educational experience, which is an incredible responsibility. These dedicated audiologists have taken on the role of coach, teacher, role model, mentor, and evaluator. They have an essential role in the audiology educational model and often are the last teachers a student has before graduation,” said Meagan Lewis, AuD, chair of the ABA Board of Governors and holder of the ABA Board Certified in Audiology® credential and the ABA Cochlear Implant Specialty Certification (CISC®).
“A well-trained preceptor is essential to helping students become practice-ready clinicians, prepared with the technical and professional skills they’ll need to be successful; the CH-AP Training Program is designed to do that for current and future audiologists,” Dr. Lewis said.
CH-AP is a voluntary certificate program aimed at creating a well-rounded, knowledge-based precepting experience that will provide critically important opportunities for students to apply classroom learning in authentic clinical settings. It also will help facilitate the student’s transition from novice clinician to competent, independent professional. Successful completion of four modules is required to earn the CH-AP certificate:
Module 1—Role of the Preceptor in a Clinical Environment (2 hours)
Module 2—Clinical Dynamics – Assessment & Performance (2 hours)
Module 3—Creating Effective Learning Programs (2 hours)
Module 4—Legal, Ethical, and Professional Considerations (2 hours)
In addition to the four modules, the CH-AP training program includes tools designed to allow audiologists to customize what they study to meet their unique needs, including:
• assessing the readiness of a clinical site,
• recruiting and selecting students,
• understanding Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations,
• adhering to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance,
• setting goals,
• understanding and adhering to Medicare, and
• teaching initial clinical assessments to students.
A presentation about the CH-AP, including training fees, detailed curriculum for training modules, and eligibility requirements is available at http://www.boardofaudiology.org.
The CH-AP Training Program is based on and aligned with international ASTM E2659 Accreditation Standards that provide guidelines for quality program development and administration, distinguish qualified workers with industry-recognized credentials, and differentiate certificate programs from non-assessment-based programs that award “certificates of attendance” or “certificates of participation.”
“We chose to create an assessment-based certificate program because training and assessments are tightly linked to the CH-AP program’s learning objectives,” Torryn Brazell, MS, CAE, ABA’s managing director, explained. “Assessments ensure that CH-AP certificate holders have been exposed to and understand the core competencies required to precept effectively and create a well-rounded experience for future audiologists.”
Module 1 must be completed successfully before an audiologist can access the other modules. Subsequent modules may be taken in any order once an audiologist has taken and passed the Module 1 assessment. Audiology students also may register for and audit the courses, but may not apply for the CH-AP certificate until after becoming a licensed practicing audiologist.
Once an audiologist has successfully completed the four modules and earned the CH-AP certificate, the ABA will add his or her name to the CH-AP National Registry of Audiology Preceptors™, which will be open to the public so that consumers, university programs, and students may search for preceptors who hold the certificate.
“When you earn the CH-AP certificate, which is valid for five years, you show your mastery of preceptor core competencies and your commitment to the audiology profession,” Dr. Lewis said. “The ABA’s goal is to create a new cohort of skilled preceptors who are the best possible coaches, teachers, role models, evaluators, and mentors who are prepared to create the best possible field placement experiences for students.”
The CH-AP Training Program was developed with the support of hundreds of audiologists who participated in surveys and focus groups, answered questionnaires, shared expertise in working groups, and helped develop the certificate’s core curriculum.The project was underwritten by Starkey Hearing Technologies, with module support from Sprint CapTel and Audigy Group.
Learn More About the CH-AP at AudiologyNOW!
The ABA will highlight the new CH-AP training program at the American Academy of Audiology’s AudiologyNOW! 2016 conference in Phoenix. Torryn P. Brazell, MS, CAE, John Coverstone, AuD, Board Certified in Audiology®, and immediate past chair of the ABA Board of Governors, and Chris Focht, AuD, Board Certified in Audiology®, will present sessions that relate to the CH-AP on April 14 and 15.
About the American Board of Audiology®
The American Board of Audiology® (ABA) creates, administers, and promotes rigorous credentialing programs that elevate professional practice and advance patient care. ABA credentials are earned by leading audiologists, respected by other health-care providers, and trusted by patients. The ABA administers the Board Certified in Audiology®, the Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC®), the Cochlear Implant Specialty Certification (CISC®), and the Certificate Holder–Audiology Preceptor (CH-AP™) Training Program, all of which are voluntary credentialing programs.
Margaret Brown, MLB Communications, +1 (703) 898-9443, [email protected]
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