Certified Medical Staff Coordinator Career and Certification
Read about the job duties of certified medical staff coordinators, who perform numerous organizational and upkeep tasks to maintain a quality healthcare team at a medical facility. This field doesn't require a specific degree, though coursework in areas like healthcare law and administration will provide you with helpful skills. Learn more about finding a job in this field, and check the requirements for certification.
What You Need to Know
<p>The National Association of Medical Staff Services offers two types of certifications for medical staff coordinators. There are several prerequisites to consider before sitting for either examination. Coursework in a healthcare administration program will give you the training you need to begin your career in medical staff coordination.
</p>
<p />
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Certification Options</b> </td><td> Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS), Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSM)</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Degree</b> </td><td> Associate's degree in healthcare administration or similar field</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Responsibilities</b> </td><td>Manage medical staff, act as a liaison between physicians and hospital administrators, manage and stay abreast on staff certifications/licensing</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatDoesAMedicalStaffCoordinatorDo">What Does a Medical Staff Coordinator Do?</h3>
<p>As a medical staff coordinator, your primary responsibilities will involve verifying staff credentials, making sure physicians and allied health professionals are up to date on their certifications, and ensuring that a healthcare facility meets accreditation standards. As a medical staff coordinator, you must also:
</p>
<ul><li>Be aware of hospital policies and bylaws
</li><li>Have knowledge of budgeting and finance
</li><li>Be aware of staffing procedures and policies
</li><li>Have the communication skills to serve as an intermediate between physicians and hospital administration
</li></ul><p>Medical staff coordinators work for hospitals, managed care organizations and large physician groups.
</p>
<h3 id="section---WhatKindOfCertificationCanIGet">What Kind of Certification Can I Get?</h3>
<p>You can become certified by the National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS). The organization offers two types of certifications: the Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS) or the Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSM). To be eligible to take either exam, you must have worked within the medical industry for the past 12 consecutive months. You must have three years experience to sit for the CPCS exam, and five years experience to sit for the CPMSM exam. Both exams are multiple choice. The CPCS exam consists of 150 questions, and the CPMSM exam consists of 200 questions.
</p>
<h3 id="section---WhatCourseworkCanPrepareMeForTheCareer">What Coursework Can Prepare Me for the Career?</h3>
<p>The certification exams cover accreditation and regulatory compliance, privileging, information systems, risk management and administrative skills. A degree in the field is not required to sit for the exam; however, coursework in medical law and regulations should give you an idea of how and why physicians and medical facilities must meet certain standards.
</p>
<p>Communications courses can give you skills to interact with accrediting agencies, physicians and administrators. Coursework in healthcare administration should help you understand how you and your work fit into the health care process. Coursework in medical office procedures can teach you how to prepare correspondence and use medical software and technology. You will find a few programs that offer an associate degree in medical staff coordination.</p>