NCCPA News
On April 18, representatives from AAPA and NCCPA appeared in the first joint public appearance since the Academy was invited to return to the commission's Board of Directors.
AAPA Executive Vice President/CEO Steve Crane and NCCPA Executive Director Janet Lathrop spoke at a meeting of the California PA Committee, the regulatory body responsible for licensing PAs in that state. They presented their respective organization's perspectives on the current state and future of the PA profession and certification.
As they prepared for the event, Crane and Lathrop were asked to outline their organization's positions on those issues.
How would you describe the working relationship between the two organizations?
Crane: Despite the troubles of last year, AAPA and NCCPA continue to work together to make the certification system work well for PAs, the public, and PA employers. AAPA and NCCPA leadership are sincerely interested in hearing the views of each other and to have these views presented in the certification policy making process. Both organizations now have a better understanding and appreciation for how the other works. This understanding will result in a stronger and more secure working relationship at all levels of both organizations in the future.
Lathrop: From my perspective, the relationship between the organizations is better today than at any point in the last several years. Our relationship has evolved in necessary and appropriate ways. We have delineated our roles and identified new ways to work together, using the resources and expertise of AAPA to inform NCCPA's board and committee deliberations in the appropriate forums. I'm optimistic that we will continue to improve the integrity of the certification process while making it easier for PAs to navigate.
What are the top two major certification issues that need to be addressed?
Crane: I would say the most immediate concern is how to continue to make the process of certification and recertification work most smoothly from the perspective of the certificate holder. This is a complex process because PAs work in varied clinical settings and specialties. By involving representatives from the AAPA, NCCPA will be hearing from the organization that represents 65 percent of all practicing PAs. The second top issue, from the Academy's perspective, is how to increase the relevance of the certification process to the consumers of the services provided by PAs, that is the public, employers, and patients.
Lathrop: Those are certainly two critical issues. We want to make sure that the certification process -- especially the recertification process -- is a relevant and valid way to measure skills and knowledge as the profession continues to evolve. We've had a one-size-fits-all certification program, and that may just not continue to work for this increasingly diverse profession. Our challenge is to evolve the certification process without losing the generalist nature of the credential or putting the cost of maintaining certification out of reach. We're also continuing to streamline the certification process. Two years from now, I hope we don't have a single PA who doesn't maintain certification because he didn't understand the process.
How can the two organizations strengthen the PA profession - from the perspective of a professional association and a certifying body?
Crane: We both must listen carefully to the needs of our respective stakeholders and exchange information in an open and constructive way on how we might jointly address these concerns. We need to assure that the certification process does not become a barrier to the flexible use of PAs in different specialties, work settings, and employers. We also need to assure the consistency of standards for PA education and practice whether individuals are trained domestically or abroad. Finally, we need to co-market the value of the certification process to protect patient safety and improve quality of care.
Lathrop: I agree wholeheartedly, Steve. I'd add that by continuing to uphold the highest psychometric standards for our exams, continuing to improve the CME review and approval process and implementing CME auditing, we will elevate the integrity of PA certification. That serves patients and employers, which clearly strengthens the profession.
NCCPA's Board of Directors voted at its March 10 meeting to extend an invitation to AAPA to return as an NCCPA participating organization. The AAPA board voted to accept the invitation in a March 17 conference call. Those decisions came after several months of discussions and meetings between leaders of the two organizations designed to establish better communications channels and rebuild the relationship. Representatives from both organizations agreed that they found common ground, identified mutual interests and concerns, and appreciate the need to respect each other's independence while strengthening open lines of communication. All agree that previously divisive issues are being addressed, and the focus should be on the future.
NCCPA is the only nationally recognized certifying organization for PAs in the United States. AAPA is the only national organization to represent PAs in all medical and surgical specialties and work settings in the United States and federal services.
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