PRESENTED BY

Jolene Miller, MLS, AHIPChair-Designate, MLA Credentialing Committee

MLA ’13, Boston, MA

MAY 6, 2013

PRESENTATION ORIGINALLY CREATED BY ANNA BETH CRABTREE, AHIP, 2003

MLA’s Credentialing Program

A Brief Overview

The Academy of Health Information Professionals is the professional development and career recognition program of the Medical Library Association.

There are several different AHIP membership levels – you are considered to be a fully qualified member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals at any of the levels.

What is AHIP?

What’s the Point?

A structure for professional development

Mentoring and support Encouragement and recognition of

peer-reviewed professional activities “Visible” sign to employers

Who can be a member of AHIP?

Members of MLA Members of MLA Chapters Non-members of MLA working in an

information professional position

There are approximately 920 information professionals in AHIP, representing the full range of work experience and accomplishments found among health information professionals.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

Academic PreparationDo you have an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science, or another master’s degree? If the latter, can you document coursework in MLA’s seven Professional Competencies?

Am I Eligible to Apply?

Professional ExperienceThe number of years you have worked in an information-related professional position after attaining your master’s degree helps determine which level of AHIP membership you may achieve.

In May 2012, the MLA Board approved a change to the Academy which allows us to consider all professional information work, whether or not it is in the health sciences.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

Professional AccomplishmentsYou may earn points for AHIP membership by participating in a wide variety of professional accomplishments, both in MLA and its chapters and in other national, local, and regional library organizations.

Note: Activities which are part of your job are not awarded points.

7 Professional Competencies

1 Health Sciences and Health Care Environment and Information Policies

2 Leadership and Management Theory and Techniques

3 Health Sciences Information Services

4 Health Sciences Resource Management

5 Information Systems and Technology

6 Curricula Design and Instruction 

7 Research, Analysis, and Interpretation

The AHIP Levels

Provisional Member Senior Distinguished Emeritus

Members at each level are full members of the

Academy

Provisional Level

Holds an ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree with documented coursework in the 7 Professional Competencies.

Currently employed in an information professional position with less than 5 years of experience, OR

Currently seeking employment with less than 5 years of experience.

For the Provisional level, a mentor is assigned to work with you.

Provisional Level

Must document 8 hours of continuing education each year; these hours will then count towards moving you to the next level at the end of your Provisional membership.

Beginning January 2014, must document 5 points of professional accomplishments per year.

Provisional fee is paid once during the provisional period (a maximum of five years) although Provisional membership must be renewed annually.

Member Level

Holds an ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree with documented coursework in the 7 Professional Competencies.

Has worked in an information professional position for five or more years after attainment of the master’s degree.

Fifty (50) points of professional accomplishments completed in the past 5 years.

Senior Level

Holds an ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree with documented coursework in the 7 Professional Competencies.

Has worked in an information professional position for five or more years after attainment of the master’s degree.

Senior Level

Eighty (80) points of professional accomplishments completed in the past 5 years.

No more than 50 points may come from sponsored instruction.

At least 5 of the 80 points must be from professional association activities, not necessarily in MLA

Distinguished Level

Holds an ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree with documented coursework in the 7 Professional Competencies.

Has worked in an information professional position for ten or more years after attainment of the master’s degree.

Distinguished Level

One hundred and twenty (120) points of professional accomplishments completed in the past 5 years.

No more than 50 points may be sponsored instruction.

At least 10 of the 120 points must be professional association activities. At least 5 of 120 must be MLA leadership activities.

Emeritus Level

Retired. Prior member of the academy at any level

(except Provisional) at the time of retirement, and has been credentialed/certified by MLA for 10 consecutive years at the time of retirement.

No points are required to renew at this level.Send a written request, Emeritus Form, and

copies of your last certificate(s) to MLA headquarters.

Comparison of AHIP Levels

AHIP on MLANET

www.mlanet.org/academy/

Portfolio Review Process

It begins at MLA Headquarters You upload your portfolio to MLANET

Primary Review An MLA Credentialing Committee member

Secondary Review The Credentialing Committee’s Chair

Designate It ends at MLA Headquarters

You are notified of the outcome

Helpful Hints

Review the requirements for the level at which you will be applying early and often.

Review the point index regularly, paying attention to the required documentation.

Keep organized – keep all documentation in a file or online until you need it.

When completing your portfolio, document what you claim and claim what you document.

Supply the required documentation – no more, no less.

Keep documentation in the order you’re claiming the points on your ledger.

It’s okay to ask for help.

Academy Booth in the Exhibit Hall

Today until 5:00 pmTuesday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Questions about Credentialing during MLA?

KATHLEEN COMBS

Director, Professional DevelopmentMedical Library AssociationPhone: (312) 419-9094 X29

Fax: (312) 419-8950Email: MLAPD1@MLAHQ.ORG

or contact your chapter credentialing liaison

Post-MLA Questions about Credentialing?

Questions?