Early Careerist Advancement
Information Session
Becoming Board Certified in Healthcare Management as
a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
“Advancing to Fellow in ACHE became a
personal goal when I learned how many
prominent healthcare leaders had done so
before me. I appreciate the value placed on
this credential. I gain both professional and
personal benefits by sharing this common
bond with other healthcare professionals.”
Trent D. Johnson, FACHE
Director, Ambulatory Services
Texas Children’s Hospital
Houston, Texas
What does it mean?
• The FACHE credential demonstrates professionalism,
ethical decision making, competence, leadership skills and
commitment to lifelong learning
• The FACHE credential symbolizes a commitment
to excellence; it is a rigorous credential based on multifaceted criteria – including a valid and reliable examination
• Board certification provides the personal satisfaction
of achieving a goal and achieving professional recognition
The Credentialing System Is:
Rigorous and inclusive—encouraging healthcare
executives to demonstrate their competence,
commitment to ethical decision making and
participation in ongoing professional
development
Single FACHE credential—
based on multi-faceted criteria
Ongoing
Professional
Development
ACHE Tenure
& Experience
Academic
Preparation
CEUs
References
& Involvement
BOG Exam
Note: Components are not sequential
Criteria
•
•
•
•
Postbaccalaureate degree
Three years’ tenure as an ACHE Member
Five years’ healthcare management experience
40 hours of CEU – at least 12 Category I
(ACHE education)
• Three Fellow references – including a structured interview
• Professional and community/civic participation
• Board of Governors Examination
Criteria
Tenure at ACHE
Three years’ tenure as an ACHE Member
Position & Experience
 Hold a healthcare management position in an acceptable organization as
defined in the Regulations Governing Admission, Advancement and
Recertification
 Five years’ healthcare management experience
Definition of Healthcare Management
Position
A Healthcare management position is one which the person is
employed by a healthcare organization or by an organization whose
purpose is to influence the growth, development or operations of a
healthcare organization. To be eligible for advancement, a
candidate’s position must include planning, organizing, staffing,
leading and controlling functions at the organizational or
departmental level. Eligible positions include but are not limited to
C-suite executives (CEOs, COOs, CMOs, CNOs, CIOs, etc.), associate
and assistant administrative officers, directors as well as specialty
management positions of comparable executive authority.
Criteria
References
Continuing Education
Three references from Fellows, one
of which must be a
structured interview
• 40 hours of CEU credits over the
previous five years
• 12 credits must be Category I
(ACHE education) credits
• Balance may be either Category I
or II
Criteria
Professional & Community Involvement
Minimum of two examples of professional participation required
over the previous three years, such as in the affairs of ACHE and
its independent chapters, or national, regional and state
healthcare associations
Minimum of two examples of participation in community
organizations required over the prior three years, such as in
national, state or community nonprofit organizations
Change in Requirements for 2012-2014
Beginning Jan.1, 2012 – Dec. 31, 2013
• ACHE Category I credit will only be awarded for
educational sessions involving face-to-face learning.
At this time all new distance learning will earn
Category II credit
• Distance learning options that will be awarded
Category II credit include:
–
–
–
–
Chapter distance learning (webinars and distance panel discussions)
ACHE distance learning (webinars and online courses)
ACHE self-study courses
ACHE Online Tutorial
Change in Requirements for 2012-2014
After January 1, 2014
• 36 total hours over the previous three years
will be needed for advancement and
recertification
– 12 hours must be Category I (face-to-face)
– 24 hours can be Category I or Category II
How will these changes affect your application
for advancement to Fellow?
If application is submitted:
• Before December 31, 2011—No change
• Between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013, 40 hours
of CEUs are still required over previous five years. 12 hrs
must be Category I face-to-face (but unexpired distance
learning earned before Dec. 31, 2011 counts as Cat. I)
• After January 1, 2014, 36 hours of CEUs will be required over
the previous three years, 12 hrs must be Category I face-toface (but unexpired distance learning earned before Dec. 31,
2011 counts as Cat. I)
Board of Governors Exam Fee Waiver
Offer: Apply March 1 – June 30 and
Save $200
Board of Governors Exam In Healthcare
Management
• Successful completion of the Board of Governors
Examination in Healthcare Management
• The Board of Governors Examination consists of
230 multiple-choice questions covering general
knowledge of management principles in 10
healthcare knowledge areas
Knowledge Areas
Governance and Organizational Structure
Human Resources
Finance
Healthcare Technology and Information Management
Quality and Performance Improvement
Laws and Regulations
Professionalism and Ethics
Healthcare
Management
Business
Applying to take the BOG
Exam
• The application for Fellow also serves as the application to
take the exam
• Application is good for three years
• Before taking the exam, you must meet the following subset
of criteria for Fellow status:
• Masters or other advanced degree
• A healthcare management position and two years’ healthcare
management experience
• Three references from Fellows, including one structured interview
• Completed Fellow application with $250 fee
• $200 examination fee at time of exam registration
Exam Scoring
• The BOG is a Pass/Fail exam
• A candidate’s reported score in the written exam
equals the total number of correct responses
• There is no penalty for incorrect answers—it is to
your advantage to answer every question
Testing Sites
Offered at Prometric computer testing sites
Prometric testing sites are located throughout the United
States, Guam and Puerto Rico
The exam is also offered internationally for military and
civilians
Exam Preparations
• Allow 3-6 months to prepare, depending on expertise
and experience
• Determine your most effective study style
• Review the 10 key knowledge areas
• Contact your local chapter regarding a study group
• Consider enrolling in the Online Tutorial course or the BOG
Exam Review course
• Review “Study Tips from ACHE Affiliates” and other online
resources in the Credentialing area of ache.org
Special Programs
Online Tutorial
Online Community
Registering for the Exam
• After your application for Fellow status is accepted, you will
receive an exam registration form
• Return the exam registration form to ACHE along with your
exam registration fee or coupon
• Select an exam site – www.2test.com
• Follow directions on your confirmation letter to register at the
desired site
* Please pay close attention to the Prometric rules which are included in your confirmation as well as at the
online Prometric site. They are very specific and Prometric will not deviate from them.
Taking the Exam
• You have six hours to complete the exam.
• The computer testing is easy to navigate. You will have the
ability to mark items you wish to return to
• At the conclusion of the exam, you will receive a printout
stating whether or not you passed the exam
• The printout includes a breakdown of the 10 knowledge areas
and the percent of questions answered correctly in each area
Fellow Advancement Tracking
Features on My ACHE
• Personalized messages that include:
– When an applicant can register for the Exam and after he/she registers with
ACHE, when he/she must take the Exam by (Exam expiration date)
– A congratulatory message after an affiliate passes the Board of Governors Exam
• Advancement Status Bar
– Shows steps an applicant has completed and those that have not been
completed
• Detailed information about the final requirements that must be
met after passing the Board of Governors Exam:
– Each requirement is listed as “Complete” or “Incomplete”
– Personalized information from each applicant’s ACHE database record
Additional Information
• Once you pass the exam, you may refer to yourself as a
Fellow designate
• After you complete all of the requirements for Fellow status
you will advance to Fellow
• Track your status online at My ACHE
Early Careerist Fellows Share
Their Experience
• Peter J. Wright, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Littleton Regional Hospital
Littleton, NH
• LeTesha D. Montgomery, RN, FACHE, Operations Administrator, Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
• Tim A. Slocum, FACHE, Assistant Vice President of Hospitality Services,
Medical Center of Central Georgia
Macon, GA
Peter J. Wright, FACHE
•
•
Chief Operating Officer
Littleton Regional Hospital
Littleton, NH
The Challenge:
• Preparing for the Board of Governors Exam alone is daunting
• No way to know who else is interested in advancement
• Chapter covers Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine
Peter J. Wright, FACHE
The Idea:
• Use chapter reach and resources to connect with
members
• Access new Fellows to provide insight to the exam
• Develop a regional study group
Peter J. Wright, FACHE
– The
The Action:
• 12-week program
• 1-hour teleconference
• Expert guest speakers
• Study packet
Peter J. Wright, FACHE
The Result:
• Entering year six
• 100% Exam pass rate
• Unexpected networking
• Program buzz
LeTesha Montgomery, RN, FACHE
Operations Administrator
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
• Decision: Why did I want to obtain fellow
status?
• Exam preparation: ACHE-provided study guide
and selected resource books
LeTesha Montgomery, RN, FACHE
•Key: prepare, take your time, and think
before answering
•Was it all worth it…..Absolutely!
- Personal accomplishment
- External recognition
Tim Slocum, FACHE
Assistant Vice President of Hospitality Services
Medical Center of Central Georgia
Macon, GA
• Fellowship decision influenced by many senior
executives at MCCG
• Attained credential while at the director level
• MCCG culture supports earning the credential
Tim Slocum, FACHE
• Prep for Board of Governors Exam:
– Schedule the Exam date and make routine study a
priority
– Learn the test (types of questions, time
constraints, etc.)
– Flip through old textbooks for review
– Network with recent test-takers
– Reason through tough questions
– Budget your time during the Exam
Time for Your Questions!
• Do you have questions about the criteria and
requirements?
• Do you have questions for the panelists?
Now is the time to ask.
Thank You for Your Participation!
• Submitting your Fellow application is easy on
ache.org/FACHE - Act by June 30 to Save
$200 on Board of Governors Exam fee!
• Session slides will be e-mailed and audio
available on ache.org/ECN
• More Questions?
- Visit ache.org/FACHE
- Contact our Customer Service Center at contact@ache.org or
(312) 424-9400.