IBHRE and CCI Partner to Promote Credentialing among Allied Professionals

Oct. 5, 2020, Washington DC—Today, the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners announced that it has partnered with Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) to promote certification and career advancement among allied professionals who specialize in heart rhythm management.  In a memorandum of understanding signed in February, the two global credentialing boards committed to increasing the pool of certification resources available to practitioners who specialize in electrophysiology and cardiac device therapy.

"This MOU is a major step in IBHRE's effort to broaden its reach among allied professionals in the of field heart rhythm management," said Charles Love, MD, FACC, FHRS, FAHA, CCDS, IBHRE president and director of Cardiac Rhythm Device Services at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “The CCI partnership will allow IBHRE to inform EP professionals—from entry level to advanced—on how to validate their professional knowledge through certification."

The partnership is designed to encourage EP specialists to pursue certification, a process that creates pathways to career advancement.  Although both organizations specialize in cardiovascular care, their certification programs target specialists and practitioners at different career levels.  Conversely, CCI certification programs enable allied health professionals at the entry and developmental stages of their careers to demonstrate an intermediate level of knowledge in electrophysiology.  These individuals earn the CCI’s Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) and/or the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credential.

CCI President Gail Size, BS, RPhS, RVS, RVT, FSVU, says, "We are extremely excited about our strategic collaboration with IBHRE to communicate the value of certification and outlining the professional continuum for EP professionals. This collaboration will also serve to promote the vital role that credentialed EP professionals play in the delivery of quality patient care received from qualified professionals."

IBHRE certifications validate knowledge and skill level of more seasoned practitioners who practice at the advanced level of their field. These practitioners earn one or more IBHRE credentials, including:

• Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS)
• Certified Cardiac Device Specialist – Japan Device Representative (CCDS-JDR)
• Certified Electrophysiology Specialist (CEPS)
• Certified Electrophysiology Specialist – Adult (CEPS-A)
• Certified Electrophysiology Specialist – Pediatric (CEPS-P)
• Cardiac Device Remote Monitoring Specialist (CDRMS)

During the three-year partnership, IBHRE and CCI will promote each organization’s certification programs among their constituents, and collaborate on providing educational resources to EP professionals.

About IBHRE
IBHRE is a self-governing organization that provides competency certification in the fields of cardiac rhythm device therapy and cardiac electrophysiology. Certification exams are developed and administered to assess the scientific foundation, clinical skills, and technical knowledge practitioners and industry experts require to provide and facilitate safe quality patient care in the management of arrhythmias.

Since 1985, IBHRE has set the standard for global certification in heart rhythm management and recognizes cardiac care specialists who are skilled in this unique specialty.  By earning IBHRE certification, heart rhythm practitioners have demonstrated professional excellence in their field.  These practitioners make up more than 10,000 physicians and allied professionals worldwide and have earned one or more IBHRE credentials.

Learn more about IBHRE’s certification programs at IBHRE.org.

About Cardiovascular Credentialing International
Since 1968, Cardiovascular Credentialing International has administered credentialing examinations to cardiovascular professionals, including nurses, allied health professionals and technologists. CCI’s credentialing programs demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills necessary for various cardiovascular specialties. Currently over 26,000 individuals are credentialed across CCI’s nine certification programs. CCI is governed by a Board of Trustees and is advised by a Board of Advisors. CCI’s Board of Advisors members represent each cardiovascular specialty field for which the corporation has a registry-level credential.

Learn more at CCI-Online.org.