FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to the FAQs section for the Holistic-Integrative Health Care Specialist certification program. This area is provided to you as a source of information that may be more clarified, related to questions you may have in regards to our certification program. Information regarding recertification, as well as information about our online continuing education courses, is also provided. We highly recommend that you first thoroughly review all of the information on our website, under the main page for the Holistic-Integrative Health Care Specialist Certification. Access here .
If after reviewing all of the provided information and this FAQs section, any other questions may be addressed by completing our request for information form online here. Thank you for your interest in our Holistic-Integrative Health Care Specialist program.
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What is Certification?
Answer: Certification is a voluntary process provided by via an organization that through its qualified advisory boards develops comprehensive and quality standards for the practice of a type of specialty. The developed standards address high quality requirements for the practice of a certain specialty. The defined standards outline educational and/or practice requirements, any required prerequisites, and the need to adhere to a defined code of ethics for the practice specialty. Certification is different than any type of licensing. Certification is one means by which professionals may be publicly recognized as achieving a high level of education, knowledge base and practice skills for a certain healthcare related specialty. Certification also assists employer organizations and clients in their assessment of appropriate qualifications for candidates seeking positions in organizations and/or involved in private practices. It is commonly held that certification through an organization is fast becoming a “gold standard” for specialty practices. Certification testifies and provides a verification of defined educational requirements, adherence to a solid code of ethics, and in many instances prerequisites of practice experience for the practice in a variety of fields.
What Are the Criteria/standards I Will Need to Meet to Achieve Certification?
Answer: The educational criteria and standards are well and clearly defined within our website. Please access our main page to preview these requirements. Access here.
May I Apply for and Be Conferred Certification if I Have Been Practicing as a Holistic-integrative Health Care Specialist in a Clinical Setting or Private Practice With- Out the Need to Meet the Educational Requirements?
Answer: No. The Board that oversees the development and approval of defined criteria and standards for certification will not consider only practice experience as meeting requirements in full. This decision was made as those who are already in holistic/integrative practices have varied and different experiences related to life coaching in health care education and counseling and there is no insured uniformity that all who have practiced holistic-integrative health care have the same knowledge base and skills attainment. The evaluation of one’s past practice experiences in health care practices is highly variable and subjective. As such, the Board has developed objective criteria/standards for the conferral of certification. For these reasons, practice experience without the attainment of education will not be considered as fulfilling criteria and standards for our certification.
Over the Years, I Have Completed Many Seminars and Continuing Education Courses Related to Holistic and Integrative Care. Will These Apply Toward the Education Requirements for Certification?
Answer: Please send in any transcript for review to determine if they can be utilized and an AIHCP course waived. You can contact us here.
What is the Major Practice Focus of a Certified Holistic-integrative Health Care Specialist?
Answer: a certified holistic-integrative health care specialist, as defined by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc, is a previously licensed or certified health care professional who has achieved a high level of education, knowledge and skills in the following areas;
- holistic-integrative theories, concepts and models of practice,
- is currently licensed as a health care professional,
- has attained education beyond preparatory licensing for the practice of integrating holistic-integrative health care practices and modalities.
There is an emphasis placed on a holistic approach to care delivery from a “mind-body-spirit” framework. Emphasis is also on educating clients regarding alternative and complimentary modalities and approaches to overall health care delivery and health care prevention.
The holistic-integrative health care specialist is an educator, advocate, clinical practitioner, and may also be involved in research related to holistic-integrative care delivery. As a practitioner they may also be involved in the direct delivery of holistic-integrative care modalities such as teaching and coaching clients in relaxation strategies, meditation, wellness nutrition, praying with clients, and other care interventions based on appropriate knowledge and licensure.
We support that this program and certification is “foundational” to the development of an expanding practice in which varied alternative care modalities are used by the Certified and licensed professionals. Such advanced modalities include aroma therapy, herbology, bio-feedback, fitness training, wellness coaching, hypnosis, guided imagery, and many more. The AIHCP, Inc. will be providing additional holistic-integrative health care modality education and certifications for those who are certified already in this specialty. Future programs may include a focus on wellness, disease prevention, spiritual practice, reflexology, aroma therapies, guided imagery, stress management and other related care interventions.
At this time, we provide a full continuing education program to meet the education standards for this certification specialty. Our current program is a curriculum of continuing education courses designed specifically for registered nurses. In the near future we will be added an additional curriculum for other defined licensed health care professionals. Programs will be made available on our website once they are approved and ready for enrollments.
Where Do Certified Holistic-integrative Health Care Specialists Practice?
Answer: Certified Holistic-Integrative Health Care Specialists practice their specialty in virtually any health care setting/delivery model in which care is provided. They are especially seen practicing in wellness centers, holistic health care centers, in acute care where there is a supportive philosophy of the integration of complimentary/alternative therapies in overall holistic care. They may be employed in private practice, as dictated by their professional licensing laws in the states or countries they practice in. They are also found in group practices, skilled and long-term care centers, where a holistic and integrative approach to overall care is practice by the health care team. Holistic-Integrative health care specialists may also be seen in some innovative care practices related to mental health, addiction recovery, and geriatric care.
What is the Process for Achieving This Certification?
Answer: There is a two-phase process. In order to provide clear and sufficient information on the process we have developed a separate page that defines the process. You may access this information on the certification process at this link: click here.
How Can I Submit an Application?
Answer: Making application is easy. We provide an online application form and a printable application form as well. Those wishing to make application can find these forms at this link. Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All applications that are submitted must include all required documents and verification as specified for review and consideration of certification conferral. Before making any application, you must meet the defined pre-requisites for a given program and have successfully completed the full continuing education curriculum, or a curriculum from a program that AIHCP, Inc. has officially approved.
After Certification is There a Recertification Process?
Answer: Yes. The American Institute of Health Care Professionals provides a full program for recertification. Detailed information on the criteria to be recertified, after the four-year initial certification period, is provided on our website. Access here.
I Am Currently Certified by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals. I Know I Am Required to Achieve Additional Education in Order to Qualify for Recertification in the Future. Do You Offer Any Continuing Education Courses That I May Take to Meet My Recertification Requirements?
Answer: Yes, we offer recertification CE courses. You can view them all by category at the following link. Access here.
Do You Have Any Testimonials From Professionals Who Have Become Certified Through Your Programs?
Answer: Yes. We have a testimonials page on our website that you may view at the following link. Access Here.