In this two-part series, we’ll be delving into who exactly CAAHEP is, as well as the relationship between CAAHEP and ARC/STSA. While the name “CAAHEP” is well-recognized, its history, mission, vision and function may be a little murkier. The goal of CAAHEP is ultimately the same as yours: to create quality educational programs that prepare students for a successful career in surgical technology and surgical assisting. And, ultimately, CAAHEP seeks to ensure that these students are equipped to best serve their future patients.
As the program director, you want to know how your program stacks up to similar organizations throughout the United States, not only to ensure that students are receiving a top-notch education, but also to prove to your dean, colleagues, students, students’ future employers, the general public and other stakeholders that your program in fact meets the standards necessary to properly equip students for their career in the health profession. Talk about pressure! Here’s where accreditation comes into play: It is the best way to “systematically approach asking and answering the fundamental question: How good is this educational program?” And you aren’t alone in the accreditation process – ARC/STSA and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) are here to help.
To that end, CAAHEP’s mission is “to assure quality health professions education to serve the public interest.” In other words, CAAHEP wants the same thing you do: to create quality education programs that prepare students for a successful career in surgical technology and surgical assisting. Currently, CAAHEP, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, carries out accrediting activities for 2,100 entry-level education programs in 28 health science professions, making it the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field! While an impressive figure, the magnitude of CAAHEP’s programs, responsibilities and oversight might seem overwhelming and make its role in your organization a little ambiguous. The most important aspect of what CAAHEP does is to help you show stakeholders that your education program indeed does everything it can to fully equip students for their careers. Buy Ciprofloxacin online https://advicarehealth.com/ciprofloxacin.html
To personalize the accreditation experience for program directors – especially for those newly appointed program directors – CAAHEP offers the Your Accreditation Mentor (YAM) toolkit as a free service to help guide program directors’ understanding of the accreditation process and advise them on best practices. While going through the accreditation process and achieving accreditation are ultimately the responsibility of the program director, there are many processes and tools in place to help you achieve this goal. YAM is an organized collection of tools, including articles, videos and advice from accreditation veterans, that you can peruse to help you understand how to kick start your accreditation process. And, ARC/STSA is always here to help you navigate the accreditation process.
Many of your colleagues who have gone through this process and come out on the other side have shared their thoughts and comments. Rebecca Lawson, CST, AAS, BA, program director of surgical technology at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College says, “Being a CAAHEP-accredited program is essential for our program. CAAHEP confirms that the program meets the guidelines required to ensure that students are receiving a proper education to prepare them for the workforce and to become buying modafinil online. The college and the program value the guidance that is provided by CAAHEP.” If you want to know more about CAAHEP, visit their website or learn more about the YAM program.
