If you’re looking to challenge yourself and take your career to a new level, a Certified Healthcare CPD Professional (CHCP) certification is your answer. The CHCP certification informs your colleagues that you demonstrate competence in the healthcare education field, granting you more opportunities for advancement and recognition as a thought leader in healthcare CPD. The Alliance has you covered with the resources you need to prepare for the exam, including the new and convenient option of taking it via remote proctoring.
We spoke with Tirza Lofgreen, CHCP, senior director of professional education and digital learning at the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and Jennifer Siegel-Gasiewski, MPA, CHCP, associate director of continuing medical education at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, to learn more about how they prepared for success in earning their CHCP certification, plus what it was like to take the exam in a remote environment.
Alliance: What led you to pursue your CHCP certification?
Tirza Lofgreen, CHCP (TL): I value the professional distinction and wanted to set myself apart from my peers after having started my career as a CPD professional in 1997.
Jennifer Siegel-Gasiewski, MPA, CHCP (JSG): My employer at the time requested that I purse certification.
Alliance: In 2021, the Alliance began offering remote proctoring for the certification exam. What was your experience like taking the CHCP exam from your home or office?
TL: It was positive all around. The environment at home was very conducive to reducing test anxiety and distractions.
JSG: It was an easy process to access the testing site, and the directions were clear. It was more convenient to be able to take the exam from home. I preferred that I did not have to take a whole day off of work to travel to and from an in-person testing site.
Alliance: How did you prepare for the exam? Did you employ any strategies for focusing on the exam while in a remote environment?
TL: I spent extra time setting up and clearing my environment so that it was “test ready.” I also carefully read the instructions provided.
JSG: I watched the videos on the Alliance website, looked at Alliance resources and took the practice exam. I studied the specific topics listed in the outline. I did not do anything specifically to prepare for the remote environment, but I did decide on a location where I could take the exam with minimal distractions.
Alliance: How has your certification impacted your career? Share an example of how you’ve noticed a certification benefit in action.
TL: I felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment. The impact has been very positive. This is a goal I worked on for a few years. I also lead a team of seven, and it’s allowed me to feel confident in my ability and knowledge base as I mentor and coach them as CPD professionals.
Alliance: What is one piece of advice you’d share with a colleague who is considering obtaining their CHCP certification?
TL: Be patient. It takes time. Don’t be afraid to try. If you don’t pass the first time, try again. That simulated experience teaches you more than you can imagine.
JSG: Be sure to check out the resources on the Alliance website, and try to find other colleagues or peers who are taking the exam around the same time as you so you can form a study group.
Ready to get certified? Visit the Alliance website to learn more about the benefits of certification and how you can best prepare for success.