FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to the FAQs section for the Telehealth and Triage Nursing 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 Telehealth & Triage Nurse 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 Telehealth and Triage Nursing Certification 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 Telehealth & Triage Nurse Without 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 telehealth/triage nursing practices have varied and different experiences related to telehealth and triage nursing practice and there is no insured uniformity that all who have practiced telehealth and triage nursing 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 Telehealth and Triage Nursing. 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 Telehealth Registered Nurse?
Answer: The Registered Nurse in Telehealth is an emerging role as healthcare systems become more focused on digital health solutions. Telehealth nursing merges conventional knowledge and clinical skills with communication technologies in assessing, educating or supporting the patient over a wide spectrum of healthcare environments. Nursing Telehealth means provision of nursing assistance or services being provided via telecommunications technology remotely. There are a number of different forms these services may take when delivered via telephone, video conferencing, secure messaging platforms, mobile applications, as well as remoted client monitoring systems.
Probably the most vital role of a Registered Nurse in Telehealth care is assessing patients or triaging. In case of virtual interactions, nurses can collect information related to symptoms, medical history & constitution medications and their present state of health. Using effective triage and clinical reasoning, nurses assess whether the patient is urgent or not needing attention right away.
Nurses are able to provide individualized education in the most convenient and accessible ways through telehealth platforms. Patients are also able to receive support for managing chronic conditions (ie,diabetes management, hypertension control, asthma and heart disease care) while remaining at home.
Telehealth nursing has proven useful for managing long-term health problems, and keeping people out of the hospital — thus decreasing healthcare expenditures. Virtual check-ins, remote monitoring devices and electronic health records result in regular assessment of patients with chronic illnesses by registered nurses. They monitor vital signs, screen symptoms and determine whether treatments are effective or have side effects that could pose serious risks at a later stage.
They also refer patients, schedule follow-up appointments for them if necessary, communicate the results of tests, and assist with their navigation through a complicated health-care system. They are a way to bridge care gaps that would have delayed treatment or send patients down paths of worse outcomes.
Due to advancements towards healthcare technology, the scope on remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs has widened. Many of these programs are led by registered nurses who review data generated by patients and flag changes in clinical status.
Providing access to underserved populations must be one of the greatest strengths which telehealth offers. On the other hand, registered nurses are crucial in reaching areas where healthcare access is limited — such as people living in rural communities, seniors who cannot get out of their homes or those patients who face transportation problems.
This FAQ elaborates on the role and relevance of registered nurses in telehealth care. By providing patient assessment, triage, education, chronic disease management and care coordination as well as remote monitoring registered nurses increase access by delivering better health outcomes.
Where Do Certified Telehealth Registered Nurses Practice?
Answer: Certified Telehealth Registered Nurses may practice in any areas where health care can be delievered to patients/clients and where appropriate. There are no potential restrictions other than clients lack of access to technologies such as mobile devices, computers, phones, etc. We see telehealth being offered today across the continuum of care. It is a matter of health care organizations, systems and communities incorporating the services into their models of care delivery to meet clients needs. The uses of telehealth in patient care today are broad and vast and continue to grow as technologies continue to advance rapidly.
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.