attention Deficit Consulting Certification
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Frequently asked Questions and Responses (FAQs)
Welcome to the FAQs section for the Attention Deficit Consulting Certification program. This area is provided to you as a source of information that may be more clarified, related to questions you may have in regards to our certification program. Information regarding recertification, as well as information about our online continuing education courses, is also provided. We highly recommend that you first thoroughly review all of the information on our website, under the main page for the Attention Deficit Consulting Certification. Access here .
If after reviewing all of the provided information and this FAQs section, any other questions may be addressed by completing our request for information form online (access info form). Thank you for your interest in our Attention Deficit Consulting program.
What is Certification?
Response: certification is a voluntary process, which is provided by a well organized organization, that through its qualified advisory boards, develops comprehensive and quality standards for the practice of a type of specialty. The developed standards address high quality requirements for the practice of a certain specialty. The defined standards speak to educational and/or practice requirements, any required prerequisites, and the need to adhere to a defined code of ethics for the practice specialty. Certification is a voluntary process. It is different than any type of licensing. Certification is one means by which professionals may be publicly recognized as achieving a high level of education, knowledge base and practice skills for a certain healthcare related specialty. Certification also assists employer organizations and clients in their assessment of appropriate qualifications for candidates seeking positions in organizations and/or involved in private practices. It is commonly held, today, that certification by a very well organized professional organization, is fast becoming a "gold standard" for specialty practices. Certification testifies and provides a verification of defined educational requirements, adherence to a solid code of ethics, and in many instances prerequisites of practice experience for the practice of attention deficit consulting.
What are the criteria/standards I will need to meet to achieve certification?
Response: The educational criteria and standards are well and clearly defined within our website. Please access our main page to preview these requirements. Access here.
May I apply for and be conferred certification if I have been practicing as an Attention Deficit health care professional without the need to meet the educational requirements?
Response: No. The Board that oversees the development and approval of defined criteria and standards for certification will not consider only practice experience as meeting requirements in full. This decision was made as those who are already in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder practices have varied and different experiences related to this specialty and there is no insured uniformity that all who have practiced this specialty have the same knowledge base and skills attainment. The evaluation of one's past practice experiences in health care practices is highly variable and subjective. As such, the Board has developed objective criteria/standards for the conferral of certification. For these reasons, practice experience without the attainment of education will not be considered as fulfilling criteria and standards for our certification. AIHCP Education program: access link.
Over the years, I have completed many seminars and continuing education courses related to attention deficit & hyperactivity disorders. Will these apply toward the education requirements for certification?
Response: No, under ordinary circumstances. One would have to verify completion of college level courses or continuing education courses directly related to attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorders practice. The courses would have to be "comparable" to our defined continuing education courses in our curriculum. The content of the courses must be comparable, as well as the hours of continuing education. Those who believe they may have already obtained comparable education and study in this specialty may submit a proposal to us, including all verifications of course completions, course descriptions, school or organization attended, etc. Each such submission will be evaluated on an individual basis.
What is the major practice focus of a consultant in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders?
Response: a certified Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders Consultant , as defined by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc, is a qualified, licensed health care professionals who has successfully completed a comprehensive education program specifically related to current facets of care and practice in attention deficit/hyperactivity, within the scope and standards of professional health care practice. A certified Attention Deficit Consultant has demonstrated through education and competency testing, the ability, knowledge and skills to practice this specialty . The certified consultant has achieved a wide base of knowledge related to the specific care and treatment of those clients who have been diagnosed with these disorders.
Attention Deficit Consulting is a "newer' professional health care specialty practice that continues to gain great acceptance and provides for interesting and job enrichment practice opportunities for professionals. Primary areas of practice include working closely with clients who are suspected to have or have been diagnosed as having an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Such professionals work with diagnostics, the development of highly specific treatment plans, as well as medications, and other modalities used to treat this disorder. The consultant is a practitioner, teacher, client advocate, and often a "case manager" who works with clients through various continuums of care. The consultant has a dedication to working with this client population and continues to learn and grow professionally in this specialty. The consultant works as a team member along with many and varied health care professionals in providing this client population care. Areas of specific interest include research and study related to newer medication therapies. The consultant also advocates for the client with his/her family and significant others. Social, academic and vocational issues are also frequently included in the assessment and the development of treatment plans. The consultant facilitates over all care of these clients by working as a highly educated expert on the health care team.
Where do certified attention deficit consultants practice?
Response: Certified Attention Deficit Consultants practice their specialty in virtually any health care setting/delivery model in which care is provided today. They are especially seen practicing in collaboration psychiatric/mental health facilities, community agencies, correctional facilities, in private practices with psychologists and psychiatrists, and in solo private consulting practices as their foundational licensing allows. Consultants practice as educators, researchers, community care agencies, in public health care models, and often in schools and other teaching facilities. Their role is of growing importance as more and more cases of these disorders emerge. Consultants may practice as a team member anywhere that care is provided to attention deficit disorder clients.
Does the American institute of health care professionals provide approval's for education programs whose graduates would qualify for being conferred certification?
Response: Yes. We do provide a full program approval process for those education facilities and or organizations providing education related to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Applications for program approval are thoroughly reviewed and must adhere to the defined standards and criteria as established by the advisory board. Once a particular education program has been approved it is then posted as an approved program on our website. Graduates of programs we have approved may apply for certification. Any formal education program offering a comprehensive program related to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders practice, may submit their program for review. AIHCP approved continuing education program.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ACHIEVING THIS CERTIFICATION?
Response: There is a two-phase process. In order to provide clear and sufficient information on the process we have developed a separate page that defines the process. You may access this information on the certification process at this link: click here.
How can I make application?
Response: Making application is an easy process. We provide on this website a link to a printable application. Those wishing to make application may access this link, print out the application form, completed it, and submit it to our office for review. You may access online applications at this link. Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All applications that are submitted must be complete and include all required documents and verifications as specified for review and consideration of certification conferral. Before making any application, you must meet the defined pre-requisite to enter the program and have successfully completed the full continuing education curriculum, or a curriculum from a program that AIHCP, Inc. has officially approved.
Once I have achieved certification, must I ever be re- certified?
Response: Yes. A conferred certification has a period of 4 years. At the end of the four-year period the certification will expire. The American Institute of Health Care Professionals provides a full program for recertification. Detailed information on the criteria to be recertified, after the four-year initial certification period, is provided on our website. Access here.
I am currently certified by the American institute of health care professionals as a certified attention deficit consultant. I know I am required to achieve additional education in order to qualify for recertification in the future. Do you offer any continuing education courses that I may take to meet my recertification requirements?
Response: We will soon be offering continuing education courses related to topics of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders practice, which are approved for the required continuing education hours for recertification.
Call for Course Authors/Instructors
January 2011