It's My First Journal...Help!
Dennis B. Cox, CBET, CRES, CLES
Vice Chair, US BMET Board of Examiners
October 2006
Anxiety is a common feeling many people experience when completing their first continuing practice journal. I’ve reviewed hundreds of journals and have found that certificants completing their first often seem confused about how to accomplish it. Frequent mistakes are made as to which entries are valid and which are not. Following is a guide to help in preparing your first continuing practice journal.
Understand the Process
Everything is based on when you first passed the certification examination. For example, if you passed the exam in 2002 (whether May or November), your initial certification period is good through all of that remaining year plus the entire following year. This, in our example, results in an expiration date of December 31, 2003.
Approximately 6-8 months prior to your certification expiration date, a renewal notice will be sent (normally by mail and email) indicating that a renewal fee only is due by your certification expiration date…no continuing practice journal is due. If paid, this extends your certification period for another 3 years. In our example, that certification expiration date would now be December 31, 2006.
Here’s where many people get confused. All continuing practice journals are for a three-year period—including the first one. In our example, the first journal is due by December 31, 2006. Therefore, the journal should include only entries from 2004, 2005, and 2006. All other entries (e.g., 2002 and 2003) should not be included.
You can either complete your journal online or fill out a hardcopy and mail or fax it in. The online version is particularly useful since you can save the information and come back to it later. This means you can enter information over a three-year period instead of trying to remember everything in one sitting.
The renewal process is much smoother if all questions are answered up front rather than putting together an inadequate journal. Questions and inquiries can be forwarded to certifications@aami.org.
What’s Needed?
Only 15 points are required for certification renewal. The areas in which to accumulate points are varied and well within the reach of an actively practicing biomedical technician. Entries may be made in any of six categories: (1) Courses; (2) Publications/Presentations; (3) Professional Society Participation/Membership; (4) Self-Study; (5) Work Experience; and (6) Miscellaneous & Other Activities. Each category has a maximum point value to encourage technicians to expand their breadth of experience. And one category without any entries certainly does not prevent certification renewal.
The point system has been continuously improved over the years to ensure it meets the intention of the program. Recently, it has been updated to enable those serving part-time in the U.S. military guard or reserve, to take additional credit. Also, category I (Courses) has been simplified.
“Great Eight” – Most Common Pitfalls
8. Most certificants do not enter anything in category VI “Miscellaneous & Other Activities”. It’s likely that most (if not all) entries fit into the first five categories. But this category allows for information that does not easily fit into any of the others. Possible entries may include humanitarian missions to foreign countries, mentoring interns, establishing new programs (not part of job duties), and helping to establish a statewide biomedical week. These are just few examples and any entry is subject to board approval and must be related to the biomed field. When submitting an entry in this area, remember to provide as much information as necessary to determine its significance.
7. One of the hardest things to do is to keep up with your continuous progress. It’s easy to remember which manufacturer courses you’ve attended, but more difficult to recall the exact dates. It’s also challenging to recollect which in-service training sessions you’ve attended and when. Using the online journal allows you to keep up with your progress real-time.
6. Another area that you should consider is listed as category IV or “Self Study”. Often, a journal is submitted with little or no entries in this area. There are many resources available that you may enter. Some people have a problem making the required 15 points. This may be due to many considerations including unavailability of funding for service schools, no local biomed society, etc. But in this category anyone can accumulate points in. Many publications are free, educational websites are readily available, and your local library is good source of information.
5. Invalid and incorrect entries are often made in category I or “Courses”. Entries are often listed in the incorrect area and do not earn the points requested. In this case, board members will make point modifications which will usually result in a lower point value. In order to enter correct information, you should understand each of the four areas within category I. Each can be recorded as an entry that you’ve either taught or attended. Item “a. Academic/Vocational Course at a University or College” is the first area listed under category I. These are any courses (related to the biomedical field) from which you’ve received college credit and/or a transcript. Any service school, seminar, or training course presented by a manufacturer, service provider, or the military should be listed under item “b. Vendor Course, Short Course, Technical Course”. Generally, work-related courses fall under item “c. Correspondence Course, Teleconference, Computer Based Course, In Service, Etc…” These courses typically do not require travel and are usually performed at your work site. And, the last area, item “d. Other Relevant Sessions” cover those entries that do not easily fit into one first three areas.
4. All too frequently, journals are submitted with entries in categories I and III that are considered to be functions of the job. These include items such as safety committee, departmental meetings, and other “Work Experience”-related attendances. In other words, if it part of your job description (required of your position or a function of your employment) and you have entered “Work Experience” in category V, you cannot take dual credit for these items. Also, if your department’s recall notification program is your responsibility to administer and oversee, you should not take credit for reading the notifications as a category IV (“Self-Study”) entry. Consider one other example. If you take credit for attending the AAMI Annual Conference & Expo in category III (“Professional Society Participation”), you should not take credit for attending the conference’s educational seminars as category I entries (“Courses”).
3. Another frequent problem is when journals are submitted with employment requirements entries. These typically appear as recurring annual training (e.g., infection control, fire safety, disaster preparedness). Entries that are required for employment are not normally permitted. Remember, the journal illustrates your continued professional development and enhancement within the biomedical field.
2. Never be satisfied with meeting the minimum requirement. Journals that only tally 15 points are at risk of being denied since a single incorrect entry can reduce your point total below the required. Your overall point goal should be around 20 points. This builds a fair cushion in case an entry (or two) is not allowed.
1. As mentioned earlier, entering information from outside the three-year renewal period is a very common mistake. Know the period to cover in your journal and make appropriate entries.
For more information, take the time to read “What the U.S. BMET Board of Examiners Look for in a Journal” available at http://www.aami.org/certification/news/InsideCertND05.pdf. And don’t forget to review the resources at AAMI’s certification website. Specifically, visit http://www.aami.org/certification/renewal.html to learn more about the renewal process.
Do not wait until the last minute to submit your continuing practice journal. Once you’re confident that you have entered all continuing practice activities, turn in your journal. Submitting before the deadline facilitates the review process.
Have Questions?
Help is available if you are finding it difficult to complete your journal or achieve the required points. You may contact the US BMET Board of Examiners at certifications@aami.org. Board members will make every effort to ensure that your journal meets the necessary requirements. Once submitted, the reviewer may need to obtain additional information to complete the process. Your help is needed when contact is initiated. You should return voice mails, messages, and e-mails in order to facilitate the review.
The renewal program encourages growth and ensures a higher level of professional knowledge and skill. Your decision to maintain your certification in an active status demonstrates a significant commitment to career and competence.