A certificate is not certification

Turns out that an AMWA Task Force has been looking into developing an AMWA certification program. It's still just a POSSIBILITY, and it would require years of careful study and preparation, but still, how exciting! Certification is different from earning a certificate; it's a more rigorous process, and the credential is thus (presumably) more meaningful to employers, clients, and other colleagues.

By definition, I have learned, certification involves a qualifying examination, and people can't take the exam unless they meet certain criteria. For example, ISMPP requires a bachelor's degree and ~2 years of relevant work experience, or a high school diploma and ~5 years of work experience. BELS has similar requirements and also requires letters of recommendation. The American College of Healthcare Executives has extensive requirements, including years of membership in that organization and years of service to the profession and the candidate's community. 

At Open Session 6, "Professional Certification for Communicators," Kim Pepitone, the member of ISMPP who championed her organization's certification program, explained that the first step in the process was to define the core competencies of medical publication planners. What are the core competencies of medical communicators? I wondered. Then lo, I walked into the exhibit area and spotted "Medical Writing Competency Model," a poster by David Clemow, PhD. It summarizes how the Drug Information Association has addressed this very question, and David also provided copies of a 22-page handout that explains the competencies in detail. David has invited interested parties to request a copy of the poster from him at davidclemow@lilly.com.

--Faith Reidenbach