HealthSciences Institute's Chronic Care Professional (CCP) Certification
Why CCP Certification?
Today, chronic conditions, not episodic conditions, are the biggest threats to consumer health and independence and the primary drivers of health care spending. Improving health care performance requires an engaged and prepared workforce. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) agree that patient-centered, chronic care requires a new interdisciplinary practice model for which few health care professionals are adequately prepared. This was recognized as a major barrier to better patient care in the most comprehensive evaluation of the US health care system to date: The Institute of Medicine's Crossing the Quality Chasm.
To meet this challenge, the WHO and IOM have offered similar blueprints for transforming health professions training and continuing education. Each has suggested more rigorous application of the learning and development science and best practices widely used outside of health care. These blueprints have served as guideposts for HealthSciences Institute's interdisciplinary Chronic Care Professional (CCP) certification program. The CCP program modules are based on a 2003 HealthSciences Institute interdisciplinary competency modeling study, and the WHO and IOM competency recommendations for the 21st century workforce. The CCP program competencies were validated and updated following a 2007 DMAA and HealthSciences Institute national survey. As a learning program, CCP reflects the science, cross-industry best practices and innovations in learning and competency development. The 4th edition of the CCP program was released in 2008 incorporating the input and recommendations of partner organizations and program participants over the five years of the program's history.
Who is Eligible for CCP Certification?
The WHO, IOM, and leading consumer advocacy groups, emphasize that chronic care improvement and patient-centered care require a shared vision and the active engagement of professionals from many disciplines. As such, any professional working in health care or a health care-related field is eligible for CCP certification. Nurses and advanced practice nurses, case managers, physicians, pharmacists, dieticians, rehabilitation therapists, social workers, psychologists, respiratory therapists, exercise physiologists, among others, have all completed CCP certification. CCP certification is also often recommended for nonclinical team members such as community health educators, program leaders, or consultants who also support health and chronic care improvement. In rural settings and developing countries, CCP certification can prepare informal community care providers to better serve underserved populations at risk of or affected by chronic conditions.
How Are CCP Certification & Accreditation Used by Professionals and Organizations?
Upon successfully completing the CCP program and examination, individuals may add “CCP” following their name and other credential(s) to designate their CCP certification status. As an interdisciplinary certification, CCP supplements existing training, licensure, or certification(s). (Professionals should always refer to the federal, state, employer, or professional guidelines or statutes governing their profession or role to determine the specific services they may or may not provide). Additionally, organizations who require CCP for their professional staff may include the CCP seal on their organization web site, proposals and promotional materials documenting to customers and patients that their staff have completed specialized training in this new practice model and passed a national examination (CCP accreditation).
How is the CCP Program Delivered to Individuals & Organizations?
The CCP program is available for both individual and organization delivery. Individual registrants complete the self-directed online program alone or in combination with one of the national CCP live events. Organizations offer CCP certification as an internal continuing education program, a new hire orientation program, or a component of a new chronic care improvement program kick-off or implementation. Registrants have 12 months following enrollment to complete the CCP program and examination.
Participants and organizations may choose either the blended (live and web-based) or the entirely self-directed, web-based CCP program:
Blended Delivery. The blended program typically combines an intensive 1.5 day on-site or off-site program facilitated by HealthSciences Institute, with the self-directed web-based CCP program. The CCP certification examination is taken at a later date following attendance at the live session AND completion of the eLearning program. The live program overviews core CCP program content with a strong emphasis on building patient partnering, behavior change, and health coaching competencies. The on-site program is available for groups of 25 or more. Although the live session program format may be customized to fit the needs of sponsoring organizations, a sample agenda is available for review. Contact us to inquire about on-site program delivery options.
Web-Based Delivery. Most individual participants and organizations choose the web-based CCP program. The 40-hour web-based program employs Adobe flash-based technology with audio to deliver a rich eLearning experience. Additional learning resources and collaboration opportunities are also incorporated into the program. The web-based program is designed for small and large organizations seeking an economical new hire orientation or comprehensive professional development program. As a self-directed adult learning program, the web-based option is an excellent choice for employees working at multiple work sites or home-based employees. Contact us to learn more about delivery of the web-based CCP program for your organization.
What is the Cost of the Program and What is Included?
The individual tuition fee for the CCP certification program is $1,295.00. Additional discounts may be available for delivery of the live or eLearning program to large groups or organizations. Please contact us for more information. DMAA and CMSA members may register for the program at a 25% discounted fee ($971.25). If you’re a CMSA member enter the code CMSA during checkout; DMAA individual or organization members enter DMAA. The program fee includes:
*24/7 Access to the CCP eLearning KnowledgeSpace. Registrants receive ongoing access to the 40-hour online CCP certification program and learning resources for 12 months following registration-- from home or work. The only software required is Adobe Flash Player. The program can be accessed on Windows or Macintosh-based systems using Explorer, Firefox or Safari internet browsers.
*CCP Program & Reference Manual. The CCP manual is a comprehensive learning manual, disease management reference guide and job tool. Registrants receive the fourth edition of the manual (published in May 2008). The new edition features expanded patient partnering, behavior change facilitation and health coaching content--and 2008 updated evidence-based care guidelines for 25 chronic diseases and conditions of late-life. The CCP manual is the most comprehensive and up-to-date health improvement, disease management, and health coaching professional reference manual available today.
*CCP Certification Examination. Individuals completing the CCP program are eligible to take the on-line 100 item multiple-choice certification examination. The psychometric properties of this test have been evaluated by the University of Minnesota UCCS Testing Center. A score of 70% or better is required for certification. Two attempts are allowed (a second attempt may be made after 30 days following a failed examination attempt). ALL examination attempts must be completed within 12 months of registration.
*Chronic Care Professional Certificate. Participants are emailed a PDF Chronic Care Professional (CCP) certificate immediately after successfully completing the CCP program and examination.
*Continuing Education Certificate. Participants are also emailed a PDF continuing education certificate documenting 40 contact hours after successfully completing the CCP program and examination. The CCP program has been accredited for continuing education (CME) hours for physicians and ACPE hours for pharmacists.
This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Wisconsin Nurses Association Continuing Education Approval Program Committee, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Upon successful completion of the program and exam, 40 contact hours will be awarded.
What are the Requirements for CCP Recertification?
CCP certification is valid for three years. Recertification through documentation of 15 hours of continuing education may be obtained. Continuing education programs in population health improvement, chronic care improvement, evidence-based medicine, disease management, health coaching or patient-centered care, among others, qualify toward the CCP recertification continuing education requirement.
Formal staff in-service programs are eligible, as are continuing education programs offered by many professional associations. The current fee for recertification through documentation of continuing education is $75.
While recertification through continuing education is advised, recertification may also be obtained through re-examination. The current fee for recertification through re-examination is $325. Please visit the CCP recertification page for detailed information about recertification, or to recertify. For your convenience, the recertification application and fulfillment process is completed online. Upon submission and electronic verification of your application, you will receive your new PDF CCP certificate immediately following submission.
Is CCP Certification Available for Professionals Outside of the US?
CCP certification is an international professional development program and certification. HealthSciences Institute is currently partnering with government, university and organization leaders in international locations to offer the CCP program through regional affiliates. To date, the program has been delivered to professionals in Canada, Europe, Asia and South America. Participants who reside outside of the US or Canada may make payment via electronic funds transfer or by international draft (in US funds). Contact us for bank routing information. International shipping is included in the fee.
How Do I Register for CCP Certification?
An On-Line Registration Form is available for eLearning program registration. Payment may be made with Visa, Mastercard or American Express (Verisign secured), or, by check or money order. You can also print and complete the registration form, and fax to HealthSciences Institute at 866-640-6060. For payment by mail, please remit a completed registration form and check or money order to: HealthSciences Institute, 3200 N. Lake Shore Dr., Suite 1001, Chicago, IL 60657.
Upon receipt of payment, registrants receive an invoice, program link, and username/password for accessing the eLearning program. The CCP program manual and workbook are shipped UPS Ground and will usually be delivered within seven to ten working days to US or most international locations.
Institute of Medicine:
Health Professions Education Report (2003)
Key Findings Summary:
"Education for the health professions is in need of a major overhaul."
"Health professionals are not adequately prepared—in either academic or continuing education venues—to address shifts in the nation's patient population."
"Once in practice, health professionals are asked to work in interdisciplinary teams, often to support those with chronic conditions, yet they are not educated together or trained in team-based skills."
"While there are notable pockets of innovation— settings in which clinicians are being trained for a 21st century health care system— these are by and large exceptions to the rule."
"All health professionals should be educated to deliver patient-centered care as members of an inter-disciplinary team, emphasizing evidence-base practice, quality improvement approaches, and informatics."