The Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) announced that it is in the process of implementing a strategic plan designed to grow the organization in a four-tiered way:
1. Addition of a fifth certification--pedorthics--to its offerings. Since its founding in 1984, BOC has certified thousands of orthotists, prosthetists, orthotic fitters, and mastectomy fitters. The addition of pedorthics "makes perfect sense, because the practice of pedorthics is a growth arena in the allied healthcare field," said Jim Newberry, BOCPO, who has spent the past year as BOC's interim executive director.
2. Adoption of a "cross-credentialing" program through which BOC can recognize practitioners from other healthcare specialties who wish to add to their credentials.
3. Creation of a new "BOC Pathways" program that allows individuals to build their skills from entry-level to master level. The "Pathways" program combines academic study with supervised experience to equip practitioners with career skills.
4. A stepped-up Facility Accreditation Program. Since BOC was named one of the ten accreditation organizations recognized nationally by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), BOC has trained more than 30 individuals as site-visit specialists, able to conduct on-site inspections of facilities applying for accreditation.
"To serve both practitioners and the public, every certifying organization needs to do two things: maintain rigorous standards and be willing to grow as patient needs grow," said Teresa Alpert Leibman, BOCO, CPed, CO, chairwoman of BOC's Board of Directors. "BOC has responded both to what practitioners and prescribers are telling us will be of most benefit to their patients."
Pedorthic Certification
The pedorthics examination was developed by an invited group of certified pedorthists, as well as other certified practitioners with experience teaching pedorthics and supervising its practice. BOC's first pedorthic certification examinations were given in May of 2007 in multiple cities.
Cross Credentialing
The new cross-credentialing program allows BOC to recognize certain healthcare practitioners whose previous education and experience can exempt them from some current certification requirements, as well as practitioners whose education and achievements were earned outside the United States. More than 50 practitioners have been granted credentials under this option since the program began earlier in 2007.
BOC Pathways
Designed to advance individuals into and through O&P professions, BOC's Pathways program defines the road to certification as one that can be achieved by a combination of experience and academic study rather than education alone. Through Pathways, individuals interested in certification engage in specific studies to learn the fundamentals they need to understand as healthcare providers, and then must gain experience in providing patient care under the supervision of a certified practitioner.
Facility Accreditation
BOC is one of only ten organizations nationwide that CMS recognizes as providers of accreditation, a designation required for any supplier that serves and bills Medicare patients. "Facility accreditation" means the supplier meets CMS standards for clinical and business quality of the items and services offered. This CMS requirement essentially means an accredited facility meets the federal standard in areas of patient management, quality of care, assessment, evaluation, and safety. The accreditation program, established several years ago, is recognized not only by CMS but also by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which is the credentialing arm of the National Organization for Competency Assessment.
Standards that accredited facilities must meet address administration, financial management, physical requirements, laboratory/repair areas, insurance, quality assurance, and compliance. In addition to implementing the four-tiered strategic plan, BOC has beefed up staffing to provide for "EZ News Monday Mornings," a brief weekly e-mail to certificants that updates them on industry information.
For more information on BOC's programs, or to request or download application forms, contact BOC: info@bocusa.org; www.bocusa.org; 877.776.2200.
