The Value of Certification
After graduating from college with a degree in accounting, I began my career working for an accounting firm. In order for me to progress in my career, I needed to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). When I passed the exam shortly after starting my first real job, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and, to this day, I value my certification as a personal mark of professional excellence.
Since 1992, ACRP has been the leading certifier of clinical research professionals. In the first and only accredited certification program of its kind, ACRP and its affiliate, the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals (The Academy) Certification Programs have certified over 24,000 clinical research professionals to-date, worldwide.
“Having a global Certification Program that acknowledges the highest standards of clinical research and implements best practices that reduce risks is a major milestone for the field,” said Susan Warne, LVN, CCRC®, “Not only should these clinical research professionals, from all over the world, feel tremendous pride in their Certification-status, but their trial participants can be confident in the quality of care they are receiving—that’s why I have maintained my Certification for over 15 years.”
Certification is evidence of your personal commitment to higher standards. This career milestone will validate your clinical research knowledge, skills, and application — improving the quality of clinical research around the world. There is growing awareness that a clinical research team, where all members are certified, has more efficient operations and provide high quality care.
“I became certified, to show that I am indeed at [a high] level of accomplishment, and made it mandatory for all our clinical research personnel. We maintain our Certification, not only to assure ourselves, that our knowledge is current, but also, to be able to show the same to sponsors, which are increasingly becoming more discerning when selecting sites. They appreciate not only the proof of a certain standard, but the strength of our ongoing commitment to this level of accomplishment,” said Dr. Robert Hardi, AGAF, CPI®.
If you are not certified, I would like to invite you to join your colleagues that have achieved “the trusted mark of excellenceSM.” Applications are currently being accepted until August 1, 2011 (August 15, with a late fee) for the September 2011 Certification Exams.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY or to learn more about the Certification Program.
JIM THOMASELL is the Executive Director of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and its affiliates, the Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators (APPI) and the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals (The Academy). The association provides certifications and professional development to 18,000 diverse clinical research professionals around the globe.