As the medical science liaison role continues to grow and evolve, the ACMA remains at the forefront for providing resources to help MSLs increase knowledge. I had to unfollow their updates. With a curriculum that includes best practices across the organization, the ACMAs aim is to reinforce an integrated, cross-functional approach to medical affairs that makes medical affairs to be viewed as a true partner by other departments. Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Organization behind the MSL Certification: The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. More important than setting themselves apart from other job seekers or attaching the BCMAS letters to the ends of their names, graduates of the ACMAs program want to demonstrate their commitment to medical affairs. The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc..) which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Anyone working in medical affairs understands that its a highly specialized area. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. Notwithstanding and beyond the scope of this review but for completeness, both the MSLS and ACMA are worthy non-profit organizations with outstanding missions, prestigious boards of governors and either (or both) is a great choice for a professional membership regardless of which board certification you choose. Dr. Hughes achieved the Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) certification from ACMA in May of 2021 and believes that it will open new doors and provide her with more in-depth industry training that is needed to excel in the medical affairs career path. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Individual career development paths is discussed specific to each credential and how board certification is impacting organizations on a macro level. My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. Associate Global Medical Director, Novo Nordisk. The ACMA has an important mission BCMAS can help improve the quality of pharmaceutical They feel that having the board certification attached to their names gives them a leg up in both hiring and career development. To be successful at this, you must always maintain diplomacy, self-discipline, and integrity. Expanded Access to Advanced Cell Therapies. They want to exhibit their dedication to the task with something tangible. Being board certified in any healthcare related career has proven to be impactful. Online, proctored by a webcam. I'm leaning towards the former. Still others are looking for a challenge to learn what they dont know. in our pharmacy industry. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material to help individuals prepare. Format- 100% Online, Self-Paced, Audio Time Needed to Complete - 40 hours Exam Required- Yes (online) Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. Each of the certifications require you to complete CE and/or retest every few years to keep the board certification current. Videory can be a good size for data scientists; enough other data scientists are around to provide mentorship and support, but the team is still small enough that you can get to know everyone. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. BCMAS or Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is the first and only certified program designed for MSL professionals who want to be a Board Certified MSL. I heard it is becoming the industry standard. I applied to a lot of industry positions in the past and never got an interview. orgAccreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMASThe ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionalsmedicalaffairsspecialist. That positive relationship can now be yours in your pharmaceutical medical affairs career. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. BCMAS MENA | Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs I view them as a way to develop and solidify already gained experience. Medical Affairs as a discipline is accountable to varied deliverables. The BCMAS program is packed with information about each role within medical affairs, all while To be fair, I will gladly prepare and sit for the MSL-BC if the MSLS would like a follow up article after the fact please contact me. In regard to the value they deliver to our field however, the fees are within acceptable budget for training and development, and far less than what one may pay to participate in other Medical Affairs industry programs. And often, medical affairs executives get so engrossed in their day to day activities that its challenging to gain a deep understanding of how other departments and functions operate, let alone train another colleague on these functions. Should that be suspected, let me know. Your email address will not be published. At this time, its difficult to tell how recognized the MSL-BC mark will become in the future and whether it will stand the test of time. What do the study materials cost? Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. from Asia who were Board Certified, so I decided to complete the program. Many pharmaceutical industry futurists believe that certification and credentialing via the BCMAS program will be the norm in years to come as regulators push for higher standards of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, which has received negative attention due to the opioid crisis and other debacles in years past. Does it give you an advantage when applying? Curious to know if the BCMAS is worth pursuing? BCMAS established to create standards for knowledge, business skills and professional practice in the pharmaceutical industry. And theres certainly no programs offering board certification. medical affairs and MSL colleagues to enroll in BCMAS. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. But the BCMAS program appeals to younger professionals for very concrete reasons. Privacy Policy. The ACMA is the only organization committed to the medical science liaison profession, which has been featured in mainstream media such as ABC News, Forbes and the Boston Herald. $700. The ACMA provides training and certification programs for the pharmaceutical & healthcare industries. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Cost-benefit comparison As seen in Figure 1, MSL Society's program costs $450-$550, the BCMAS program costs $1,999, and the IFAPP program costs $8,600-$9,600. Both are serving a purpose for their intended audience. is grabbing the attention of politicians and policymakers. by Michael Grahame Moore, William G. Anderson. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. in our pharmacy industry. Current professionals working within clinical research organizations (CROs). Having a professional certification creates a uniform standard of competency and excellence for industry professionals who are responsible for providing critical information to doctors which impacts patient lives. What Happened to Expanded Access to New Medicines. All Rights Reserved. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. Every 5 years you are required to maintain your certification. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams. While the exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. Emanuel clarified his point: Its an opportunity to do things that you had never considered, or that The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an 1. More and more medical affairs professionals sign up to undergo the certification process each month. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. Bachelors Degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited educational institution (a copy of the candidates highest degree or transcript must be provided at the time of registration). The MSL-BC credential is still very new, and it remains to be seen how widely adopted it becomes. Others seek to differentiate themselves from their peers. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You were very easy and very fun to mentor! Its a comprehensive, self-paced online, on demand certification program built by industry leaders and subject matter experts. This two part series endeavors to compare both certifications equipping professionals to make that decision for themselves. I have worked in medical affairs for 3 years and I still felt like I learned a lot. In a nutshell, this program gave me an in-depth perspective on the dynamic role a medical science liaison plays in scientific exchange and data generation. In fact, I completed my PhD in a little over 4 years. I saw some colleagues An important caveat is that, unlike the BCMAS program, with MSL-BC the additional cost to retake the exam can be as high as $400. I took both exams. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for It is designed to recognize excellence among those who wish to specialize as experts in medical affairs. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. The BCMAS certification is internationally recognized, and achieving the BCMAS . BCMAS designers developed content using psychometric analysis to ensure that graduates are held to the highest standards of learning and assessment. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). The BCMAS program will expand your knowledge and advance your medical science liaison career. BCMAS Certification Associated preparation for each exam varies greatly. These cookies do not store any personal information. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification, Handbook of Distance Education: Second Edition, Rich Dad Poor Dad What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money, Medical Writing: A Guide for Clinicians, Educators, and Researchers, Is An Mba Worth It For A Salesforce Career, Are Consulting Fees Subject To Self Employment Tax, What Career Can You Get With International Relations, What Happens If You Unlearn A Profession Maplestory, Is Teaching A Good Profession In Australia, How To Start An Employment Agency From Home In India, How To Authorize A New Career College In Texas, How Have Computers Changed The Him Profession, 5 From the Fastest-Growing Remote Career Groups, Does Employment Security Ofice Have My Job History, How To Hide Job Search From Employer On Linkedin, Responsibility disclaimer and privacy policy. As a result the BCMAS program has several international variations each containing region specific information. MSLs can participate in any stage of a products lifecycle, but typically are hired as a company prepares for launch. (Article updated to include link to part 2). However, that is no longer debatable as two companies have found a way to make this board certification possible, testing examinees on everything but the science. Becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs (BCMAS): The New Standard With this credential, your organization substantiates its commitment to quality care and improved patient outcomes. BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community. Topics include: As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, I wanted to work in medical affairs as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the pharmaceutical It features data and insights from policymakers, industry and academic leaders, and patient advocates working to ensure equity, trust, and excellence in Medical Affairs professional engagements. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The MSL-BC program is a very new certification (released in February 2020). **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. BCMAS is the first and only accredited program, as well as the longest standing MSL/Medical Affairs Certification program in the industry. In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. SALARY Inc! This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. It can help you break into a medical affairs role in big pharma or even accelerate your career advancement. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. Medical affairs is a growing component of You did the heavy lifting by being awesome :-). MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts This is very interesting to me. Need of the hour. Loved it! The BCMAS program is the most comprehensive educational program for medical affairs professionals and unlike other training programs that may be available; it is the only one that is accredited. They do have a chat function but Ive noticed oftentimes its not available every day and at off hours which makes it tough to get answers to important questions. Once hired by a pharmaceutical company, they will be trained on (1) compliance rules and regulations related to interactions with HCPs and other important regulatory and compliance matters pertinent to the pharmaceutical industry to comply with PhRMA guidelines and (2) disease state and product(s) information related to the companys pipeline and currently marketed product(s). The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. Addressing everything in one place can help establish a solid foundation, build confidence and competence for individuals and teams. Additionally, we use PayPal, so you can always use PayPal credit if you qualify. Landing an MSL role isnt easy. High performers develop their capabilities to work more effectively in their roles. hit or miss. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. I would recommend it. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. And going from a medical They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. Experienced pharmaceutical professional with a track record of high performance across diversified therapy areas in trade and tender markets in the UAE Holding a Master's Degree in Clinical Pharmacy from Ajman University of Science and Technology and working towards medical affairs board certification (BCMAS) #cardiology #endocrinology #anaesthesia #neuroscience #psychiatry #urology # . We are going to break down the pros and cons of each. New Data From Trials of Evolocumab, Olpasiran Show Promise for Cardiovascular Disease Care, Pharmacy Focus: Public Health Matters - Motivational Interviewing, Avadel Seeks FDA Approval for Sodium Oxybate to Treat Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Independent Rx Forum - Preparing for DIR Fee Changes, COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Found to Protect Infants Against Infection, Hospital Admission, Study: Remote Dietary Intervention May Reduce Chronic Fatigue for Lymphoma Survivors. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Required fields are marked *. Online board certification program meant for medical science liaisons (MSL), medical directors, medical affairs professionals, medical/drug information, HEOR, pharmacovigilance, etc.. Includes 20 preparatory modules, case studies, and practice questions to help you best prepare for the board exam. BCMAS Frequently Asked Questions - Home | ACMA Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. you didnt think were possible.. Do you need prior experience before taking this? Shouldn't you get your Pharm-D first, before you get "BCMAS" certified? The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program was developed by industry experts, clinicians, researchers, and online learning specialists. Many of the comments here are false and misleading. Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are typically trained PhD professionals, physicians, or pharmacists. But high performers can see their salaries climb above $171,000. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a specific role within a function called medical affairs. Industry professionals provide a review of the BCMAS program. The briefing will address the important and growing role pharmaceutical medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals play in educating the medical community and public on new health care advancements and the need for certification to standardize practices across the industry for greater transparency and accountability. Master cold calling/emailing and networking. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We connect MSLs to the global medical affairs community, and give them the tools and resources they need to advance in their medical science liaison career paths. Speaking for myself, I can already tell a shift in mentality towards clinical development and regulatory affairs following the BCMAS modules. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. While the BCMAS program offers some great features, the 20 modules the ACMA includes to help MSLs prepare for the exam are definitely a great standout feature. Online, proctored by a webcam. With questions looming about whether or not AstraZeneca cherry-picked its COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data, trust and transparency from pharmaceutical companies about the integrity of their science is front and center. Depending on your year of experience in the pharmaceutical, device, and/or diagnostics industry You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. One thing that really stood out was that these industry professionals include Vice Presidents of Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officers, Medical Science Liaisons and other industry professionals. A risk that I (imho) think might be worth taking. #BCMAS #PACS #PRC Board Certifications in Life SciencesACMA in the Newsmedicalaffairsspecialist. Listen to BCMAS graduates share their stories! With increased scrutiny on pharmaceutical industry practices, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies are validating the knowledge of their field teams in medical affairs and sales is imperative. Send a powerful message that you have achieved the highest standard of excellence, 90% of BCMAS professionals land the role they want in as little as two months, Build your brand as a subject matter expert with colleagues and HCPs, BCMAS Professionals earn up to 24% more than their peers, Senior Manager, Medical Science Liaison and Clinical Strategy Lead. healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. Join us for the largest annual conference on pre-market access to medicines. Medical Liaisons help to ensure that products are utilized appropriately. JavaScript is disabled. Given the requirement facing most CPAs that they complete an average of 40 hours of continuing professional education per year, combined with the flexibility inherent in technologybased training delivery, multimedia continuing professional education courses would seem to hold a definite allure for CPAs. So, I started looking for other types of positionspositions that would fit my strengths. In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. The preparatory modules allowed me to learn new things I just began looking into this and realize the potential of. After completing my first postdoc, I was unemployed for over 6 months. 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. BPharm, MPH, MBA, BCMAS With us it's easy to find the job you want! Since then, many companies have built MSL teams within medical affairs to help provide important educational information to HCPs. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). meet great people and appreciate the continued online education available. Your email address will not be published. Meet Kerry Flecknoe, an experienced Medical Science Liaison (MSL), and recent BCMAS graduate who shares her journey towards becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs. ProctorU is utilized by both organizations for proctoring of the exam and both are completed under timed conditions following an identity verification process. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. But, how do you go about getting certified? MSLs help facilitate research and educate residents/fellows and much more. Anecdotally, BCMAS graduates have noticed more momentum in their recruiting activities. Responsibility disclaimer and privacy policy | Site Map. Just perform a quick search for BCMAS on LinkedIn and the results will show the numerous industry professionals using the BCMAS credential in their titles. Getting the BCMAS Certification was definitely a major step in my career improve the quality of pharmaceutical Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. Board Certification for Medical Science Liaisons: Implications for the #msl #boardcertification #bcmas #mslbc #medicalaffairs #msls #acma. Medical Director of Astellas Pharma Philippines. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. Just perform a quick search for BCMAS on LinkedIn and the results will show the numerous industry professionals using the BCMAS credential in their titles.