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Medical Ethics Certification and Training Programs
Medical Ethics Certification and Training Programs
Discover certification options in the field of medical ethics and what might be on the exam. Learn about classes and training programs that will prepare you for certification exams.
What Medical Ethics Certification Is Available?
The Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) designation offered by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) is the main certification for this field. To qualify for the exam, you need to have work experience and complete continuing education courses. Work experience varies according to whether you're an Active Compliance Professional, Allied Compliance Professional or student.
Active Compliance Professionals are classified by having at least a year of experience. Half of that experience needs to be from health care compliance work. Active Compliance Professionals need to have at least 1,500 hours of experience in health care compliance. If you are student, you'll need to complete a Compliance Certification Board-accredited certificate program to bypass work experience requirements.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> CHC designation available from the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA); work experience and continuing education course completion required; different requirements at each certification level</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Exam Content</b></td><td> Multiple-choice questions on subjects like standards, procedures, policies, administration, screening</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Options</b></td><td> Undergraduate and graduate programs available in medical, clinical or health care ethics on and off-campus; semester-long programs and courses at doctoral level available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Death ethics, organ donation, social context, philosophical medical issues, history</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $71,100 (<i>for all compliance officers</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 5% growth (<i>for all compliance officers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIExpectOnTheExam">What Can I Expect On the Exam?</h3><p>You'll also be required to complete a multiple-choice exam covering categories that can include standards, procedures, policies, administration, screening, evaluation, communication, investigating techniques and discipline. You might also have to answer questions regarding budget planning, coding policies, background checks, risk assessments, laws, action plans, education and staffing.
</p><p>Certification will remain active for two years, and renewal can require 40 continuing education hours. You also have the option to renew your certification by retaking the exam and earning 20 continuing education hours.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTrainingProgramsAreAvailable">What Training Programs Are Available?</h3><p>Medical ethics is also known as clinical or health care ethics. You might be able to find undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. These programs usually take a semester to complete and can also be found as part of a doctorate program.
</p><p>These types of programs can be found offering distance education courses. They don't require any hands-on training due to the heavy reliance on theory, current issues discussion, principles and policy. There are some on-campus programs that may require you to participate in rounds and mock committees.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesCanIExpect">What Courses Can I Expect?</h3><p>Your program can cover topics in current trends, common moral dilemmas, medical law, decision consequences and societal impact. If you're enrolled at a religion-based college, you can also expect some courses to be blended with theological beliefs and traditions. You can expect to complete courses in death ethics, organ donation, bioethics, pediatric ethics, foundational ethics, research ethics, social context, philosophical medical issues and historical issues.</p>
