PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATION THROUGH EXAMINATION
Certification, in general, is the mechanism in which both the public, educators and employers are able to identify practitioners who have met specific standards. The IPR exams and certification exams are specific to practice measuring mastery of a defined body of knowledge pertinent. A role delineation study is conducted approximately every five years to assure the certification examination reflects current paramedic practice.
Nearly all professions certify members in some way. But there is still some confusion about what certification is, and what it is not.
Certification is:
- A voluntary process
- Offered by a professional organization
- For the purpose of providing the public information on those individuals who have successfully completed the certification process and demonstrated their ability to perform their profession competently.
Certification is NOT
- A verification of course completion
- A substitute for education or practical experience
- A guarantee of employment, professional privilege, permission to practice, or respect
IPR CERTIFICATION
- An independent, impartial, valid, and reliable certification exam.
- An international registry of providers who achieve and maintain competency in current evidence-based prehospital care standards.
- Leading a collaborative effort with industry stakeholders to define paramedicine standards internationally.
- Authorize or credential professional practice.
- Evaluate employment quality or performance.
- Establish the scope of professional practice.
- Sanction or investigate poor professional practice.
- License providers.
BENEFITS
In a recent survey, specific healthcare providers who were certified were found to be generally high achievers, had a higher self-esteem, and sought opportunities for professional growth. These are providers that want to know the latest information in health care and take pride in the care they deliver. This is a valuable asset for the institution in which they are employed.
- Validation of unique paramedic expertise.
- Career advancement opportunities.
- Assures both the general public and employer that the certificant is competent and current.
- Will result in employing high-acheiving paramedics resulting in higher patient satisfaction rating, and are members of a highly functioning team.
Providers
- Demonstrate personal competence in prehospital care by meeting the initial and continual IPR certification standards.
- Adopt and support international standards up todate, safe, and effective based on evidence.
- Belong to a professional registry that improves.
Training centers
- Demonstrate they deliver quality education by meeting international standards.
- Using an independent, impartial, and reliable certification exam for external validation of their program.
- Join a community of educators and prehospital professionals in setting, reviewing and measuring standards.
- Protect the profession and public from sub standard programs by ensuring minimal competency before graduates begin working.
- Benchmark performance against other education programs worldwide.
Employers
- Improve the screening of applicants and streamlining onboarding for new employees by incorporating IPR certification before employement.
- Demonstrate they are competent and meets international practice standards.
- Improve recognition and confidence from their communities and opportunities to win contracts in the private sector.
Community and Government Institutions
- Protect the public by ensuring that initial and continued competency is tested impartially for all providers.
- Save costs of creating, validating, and
deploying a local exam. - Receive feedback on the performance of educational programs, system quality improvement possibilities, and workforce readiness.