August 2021
From the President
As I write my first “From the President” article, I wish to express my humble gratitude to the CAAHEP Board of Directors for electing me to serve as President. I promise to carry on the tradition of excellence CAAHEP has always been known for—thanks in great measure to the outstanding visionary leadership of CAAHEP Executive Director Kathy Megivern, JD.
I became familiar with CAAHEP’s predecessor body CAHEA (Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation) during the late 1980s. At that time, the Curriculum Review Board (the predecessor body of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board) was the accreditation-recommending body for medical assisting programs.
It was rewarding (and also challenging) to chair my first CAAHEP Board meeting on July 16, 2021. Only then did I fully realize the enormous responsibility CAAHEP bears toward students and potential students, their future patients/clients and employers, accredited programs and their schools, sponsoring organizations, the American health care system, and the American education and accreditation system. Understanding that directors of not-for-profit entities have fiduciary duties of care, obedience, loyalty, confidentiality, and avoidance of conflict of interest is important. But realizing the extent of these duties, and the consequences of not abiding by them should be sobering for anyone who holds a position of trust and leadership in an organization such as CAAHEP.
I wish to draw to your attention the Assisting Community Colleges in Educating Skilled Students to Careers Act (ACCESS to Careers Act) that was introduced into the United States Senate on May 26, 2021 (S 1847). The purpose of this bill is to provide federal grants to states and eligible institutions of higher learning “to increase the number of students who attain postsecondary credentials in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations,” and “to increase the degree to which postsecondary education meets the skill needs of employers” in these industry sectors or occupations. According to Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), one of the sponsors of this legislation, grants provided pursuant to this bill “can be used to expand dual enrollment, work-based learning opportunities, apprenticeships, and other pathways to best meet the skill needs of students and employers in our evolving workforce.”
The ACCESS to Careers Act has unquestionably noble purposes. Its definition of “work-based learning” as “sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an eligible institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction” [emphasis added] is not problematic, in my opinion. However, it is vitally important that work-based learning be properly “aligned with curriculum and instruction.” As valuable as work-based learning can be, it cannot and should not replace the formal academic training that is foundational for success in the labor market and the protection of consumers. Grants issued under this legislation, therefore, must ensure that students have sufficient knowledge in the occupation/profession before they begin working in the occupation/profession—even in an apprenticeship capacity.
Any observations about the ACCESS to Careers bill, and any questions or suggestions related to CAAHEP, may be directed to me at [email protected]
Don
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
CEO and Legal Counsel, American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
2021-2022 CAAHEP President
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First Two Accredited
Inclusive Rehabilitation Sciences Programs
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At its July meeting, the CAAHEP Board of Directors acted on the accreditation of the first two Inclusive Rehabilitation Sciences programs.
Congratulations to Arkansas Tech University-Russellville! ATU’s Bachelor of Arts degree rehabilitation science program “is designed to prepare students for a variety of social service-based occupations through a foundation in client relations, industry-specific concerns, and government agencies.”
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Congratulations, as well, to Western New Mexico University's Rehabilitation Science baccalaureate program! Students in the WNMU's program "receive applied experience in rehabilitation services necessary to enter a career dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities to live full and independent lives."
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Inclusive Rehabilitation Sciences is one of the newer professions under the CAAHEP umbrella. CAAHEP Standards were approved in 2019, and the Committee on Rehabilitation Accreditation (CoRA) has been working diligently to create the necessary policies and procedures to assure programs meet CAAHEP Standards. |
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Two Sets of Standards Open for Public Comments |
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As part of the CAAHEP Standards development process, two Committees on Accreditation are seeking public comment on proposed Standards.
The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) is inviting public comments on the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology. The proposed Standards can be downloaded from the CAAHEP website, where there is also a link to the survey tool used to collect comments. Comments are being collected until 5:00 PM Eastern, September 12, 2021. In addition, an Open Hearing on the proposed Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology is scheduled for September 28, 2021, at 1:00 PM Eastern.
Likewise, the Committee on Accreditation of Specialists in Blood Bank Technology/Transfusion Medicine (CoA-SBBT) has opened the proposed Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Specialist in Blood Bank Technology/Transfusion Medicine for public comment. The proposed Standards can also be downloaded from the CAAHEP website, along with the survey tool, and comments are due by 5:00 PM Eastern, September 12, 2021. An open hearing on the proposed Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Specialist in Blood Bank Technology/Transfusion Medicine is scheduled for September 28, 2021, at 12:00 Noon Eastern.
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The Superheroes of the CoAs |
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During the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, CAAHEP was honored to spotlight individuals nominated by their Committee on Accreditation (CoA) as their CoA's Superhero. These individuals and groups were recognized for their support of the CoA, sharing of their expertise, and dedication to excellence in health sciences education accreditation. Throughout 2021, CAAHEP is honored to spotlight these Superheroes in the Communique newsletter. Here is the final set of Superhero Spotlights:
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Committee on Accreditation of Academic Programs in Clinical Research |
CoAACPR recognizes Marjorie Neidecker, PhD, Meng, RN, CCRP, for providing her financial expertise to the CoA as it set up its financial systems and record keeping. Margie has been the long-term Treasurer of the sponsor organization, the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research. When the CAAPCR was formed, Margie volunteered to bring her financial and organizational skills to the CoA. She has done a wonderful job of setting up the financial systems and record keeping. She is definitely a CoA Superhero.
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Cytotechnology Program Review Committee |
The Cytotechnology Program Review Committee's Superhero has served on the CPRC since 2011, serving as Vice-Chair and Chair. She has had an active role in defining the scope of practice for the profession and transitioning cytotechnology education to a Master’s level and to the new professional title of Cytologist. She is overseeing the final steps of Standards revision and has devoted her entire career to teaching, lecturing, and promoting the advancement of education in cytology. CPRC's Superhero is Karen M. Atkison, MPA, CT(ASCP).
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Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Care |
The Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Care recognizes Jackie Long-Goding, PhD, RRT-NPS as our CoA contributor of the year. Dr. Long-Goding has served as both Vice-President and Executive Director during this formative period for JRCRC. Comments about Jackie from Board members, who selected her unanimously for this recognition, include:
- “She has a great love for the respiratory profession as well as accreditation.”
- “Relentless in her dedication . . . deeply deserving”
- “Hard work and dedication…”
JRCRC is so fortunate to have the expertise, vision, and leadership of Jackie Long-Goding, as we prepare for becoming fully operational.
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Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
The ARC/STSA proudly selected Erin Monroy as its Superhero! Erin came to the ARC/STSA as a temporary employee and officially joined our staff in June 2018 as an Accreditation Specialist. Highly skilled and motivated, she quickly has increased her responsibilities within the organization and currently serves as Operations Coordinator. In addition to her role in operations, she has responsibilities in virtual and on-site evaluation scheduling, accreditation documentation development, and database management. She serves as a resource for all of us here at the ARC/STSA.
Erin is always the first to help anyone on staff who may need it, volunteers for EVERYTHING, and does so with a super positive attitude. She is truly our ARC/STSA Superhero!
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Each profession in the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) system has a Committee on Accreditation (CoA) that consists of experts in the profession that are responsible for reviewing programs and making appropriate recommendations for accreditation to CAAHEP. CAAHEP reviews recommendations received from its CoAs in each profession, assures due process was followed and takes final action on an accreditation status.
CAAHEP took the following actions on July 16, 2021. Actions are identified by profession, action taken, date of the next comprehensive evaluation, and whether a progress report to improve program compliance is required. In some cases, the concentration and/or degree are also specified. To view a copy of the most recent accreditation award letter for a program, which includes information about the accreditation decision, visit the program’s listing on the Find An Accredited Program section of the CAAHEP website.
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2025. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Medical Assisting
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2026. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Cardiovascular Technology
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
Orthotist/Prosthetist
The following program was found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2028. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.
Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2031. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Personal Fitness Training
Polysomnographic Technology
The following program was found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The program was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2021.
Neurodiagnostic Technology
The following programs were found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The programs were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2026.
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted initial accreditation with the next evaluation to occur no later than 2026. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda
Cardiovascular Technology
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted initial accreditation with the next evaluation to occur no later than 2028. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Inclusive Rehabilitation Sciences
The following program was found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and was granted initial accreditation with the next evaluation to occur no later than 2029. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.
Art Therapy
The following program was found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The program was granted initial accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2026.
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
The following program had a transfer of sponsorship approved, with a status of continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2024. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.
Medical Assisting
The following program had a transfer of sponsorship approved, with a status of continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2025. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.
Medical Assisting
The following program had a transfer of sponsorship approved, with a status of initial accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2024. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
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Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775-7709
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