Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. What constitutes a board certification designation? $700. Are there any online resources that cover all these topics? Thanks, I appreciate the up-to-date info! 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. (1) completing 20 hours of continuing education credits approved by the ACMA or (2) by Required fields are marked *. Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. Congrats on passing the exam and getting certified. One thing that I really liked about the BCMAS program is that it included a question bank which helps prepare its learners for the exam. The BCMAS program is a globally recognized board certification in over 40 countries. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. Recertification Option 1 : Completing twenty (20) hours of continuing education modules provided by the ACMA and successful quiz completion of each module. **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. And some of the more seasoned industry veterans have found so much value in the BCMAS program, that theyre championing it within their companies. 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. ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. A yearly membership to ACMA is approximately 2/3 the cost of MSLS ($200 vs. $290), but the outward appearance is that MSLS is a more active society and the membership includes the newly published digital MSL Journal. Seems like you are jumping the gun a bit. You must log in or register to reply here. Copyright 2022 - BDJobsToday.org. Due to the newness of the certification, there are very few people that have the MSL-BC credential, therefore, it is not well recognized yet. If youre looking to only be an MSL, MSL-BC might be more suitable. healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. Our training programs can be customized to meet your companys specific needs (disease state, clinical, and soft skills training). It never hurts to continue learning. #BCMAS #PACS #PRC Board Certifications in Life SciencesACMA in the Newsmedicalaffairsspecialist. industry professionals worldwide and therefore improve patient care., Sotirios G. Stergiopoulos The BCMAS program connects you to the clinical knowledge real-world experience, and leadership skills needed to be successful within the pharmaceutical industry's clinical medical affairs / MSL space. Privacy Policy. clinical medicine, and experts from the pharmaceutical industry. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are typically trained PhD professionals, physicians, or pharmacists. Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? Board Certification Medical Affairs (BCMAS), The Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Prior Authorization Certified Specialist Program (PACS), The ACMA was invited to Congress. Many of the comments here are false and misleading. After some controversy, ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. 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. Developed by industry experts and considered the industry standard by most for MSL certification. This article is meant to help you make that decision. Topics include: Maximize your MSL teams emotional intelligence and how to use it to build relationships. 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. Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. I agree with you but don't you think that the topics they cover could at least give you some knowledge about the field which could potentially help in getting your foot in the door? About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). BCMAS Graduates From Over 200 Companies Certify Your Team Payment Options One-Time Payment Application Fee $49 BCMAS Online Course $1000 Credentialing Fee $150 Examination Fee $800 TOTAL $1999 ACMA Easy Pay (3 Month) Monthly Payment $716.33 / Mo Monthly Installments 3 TOTAL $2149 PayPal CREDIT Financing The average medical science liaisons salary is $136,000. The lowest rating is NEMA 1 . I have not completed the MSL-BC (MSLS), nor the BCMAS (ACMA), nor do have immediate plans to do so. The certification is a relatively new one, having launched in 2021. 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. I have a few questions if you don't mind answering. One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. These officials will discuss the importance of establishing certification and credentialing standards for medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. Shouldn't you get your Pharm-D first, before you get "BCMAS" certified? 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. Yes, we have more time on our hands right now! The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. I got the weekly newsletters from ACMA and got curious. If you have any questions , please direct them to our staff directly who would be happy to help you , rather than making assumptions about what we do on an anonymous forum. ACMA and The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) have different board certification credentials and the question becomes which is the right one for each MSL. The MSL-BC program is a very new certification (released in February 2020). Absolutely agree Eric! But the trend has unmistakably been a steady increase in moving the BCMAS toward the industry standard. I recently completed and passed. I learned so much last night from the free courses with a certificate to-show-at-the-end offered by NIH office of clinical research too. Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. Are the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) and the board-certified medical affairs specialist (BCMAS) certification legitimate and desired by medical affairs hirers in industry, or is it a scam set up by the Apotheker Group and William and Suzanne Soliman. All Right Reserved. MSL launch readiness is an important skill and many medical affairs teams intently focus on the activities that will be most important when preparing for a products launch. Do you need prior experience before taking this? Anecdotally, BCMAS graduates have noticed more momentum in their recruiting activities. 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. When comparing both certifications directly a stark contrast can be seen. Board certifying medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals is critical to ensure ethical practices, compliance excellence, and public trust at this crucial time. With us it's easy to find the job you want! Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams. I guess you can argue that. The study materials are all provided. Obviously don't take my word, do your own research but just my take on the topic. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS). (See below for the rest of my comment ). 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. Current professionals working within clinical research organizations (CROs). Meet Kerry Flecknoe, an experienced Medical Science Liaison (MSL), and recent BCMAS graduate who shares her journey towards becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs. background, so I found the program very helpful. which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. You do not need prior industry experience but you do need to have a pharmd/phd/md/do etc. SALARY Inc! It is also the first board certification for MSLs. BCMAS is now on audio The #1 MSL & Medical Affairs Board Certification Program The Official Medical Science Liaison (MSLs) & Medical Affairs Board Certification- The only recognized program by regulators. What do you guys/gals think? Your email address will not be published. The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. Also, in case there is any concern about MSLS or ACMA influencing how this community is run, rest assured I have no affiliation with either. Those who pass the certification exams will be qualified to solve basic issues in networking, operating systems, security and mobile devices. I saw some colleagues 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. hit or miss. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Online, proctored by a webcam. I have a clinical So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. medical affairs and MSL colleagues to enroll in BCMAS. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. Landing an MSL role isnt easy. Topics include: As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, A business opportunity with a 50/50 chance of succeeding. This means that as an MSL, you will consistently reach out to people with the intent to educate them about your company and its products. 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. Depending on your year of experience in the pharmaceutical, device, and/or diagnostics industry 1. I had to unfollow their updates. High performers develop their capabilities to work more effectively in their roles. 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. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. You did the heavy lifting by being awesome :-). and be BCMAS.. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist and transition from retail pharmacy to the pharmaceutical industry. Such a great foundation for someone new to pharma. They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) . This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. Beyond internal training within their companies, medical affairs executives simply dont have structured options for learning how the different functions within the life science industry interact with each other. This number is inclusive regardless of the name du jour from an individual company to include: Regional Scientific Director, Clinical Liaison, Thought Leader Liaison, Field Medical Director etc. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. MSLs may serve as scientific peers and resources within the medical community, and are scientific experts to internal colleagues at companies. Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives Have you talked to anyone in this field about this exam and employment chances? 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. I can briefly share my experience with the ACMA program which I found quite worthwhile: Part 2 certainly goes into that sort of detail. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. and our A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. This credential demonstrates that you have mastered the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to work in the life sciences industry. The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist or BCMAS is a credential that goes right up there next to your name after MD, DO, PhD or PharmD. The ACMA offers a flexible payment plan where you can pay in 3 easy installments of MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts With BCMAS certification, you demonstrate that you've mastered the industry standard of knowledge through intensive study, self-assessment, and evaluation. The 3 Month (100 Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http://www.medicalaffairsspecialist-affairs-specialist-program/exam-information/, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/director-of-medical-affairs-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm, https://pharmacy.temple.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/qara-non-thesis-ms, http://shp.rutgers.edu/dept/biopharma/certificates/, The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program (BCMAS) comes to Rutgers University providing a new path forward for scientific and clinical professionals looking to work within the pharmaceutical industry, Opinion on regulatory affairs vs. medical affairs, Regulatory Affairs or Medical Information, All resources are student and donor supported. 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. Everyone approaches the board certification process for different reasons. 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. Since then, many companies have built MSL teams within medical affairs to help provide important educational information to HCPs. and improve on what I already know regarding Medical Affairs. What do the study materials cost? 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. in our pharmacy industry. ACMA works with experts around the world to develop country- and region-specific content within the BCMAS curriculum using advanced geo-redirect technology features. Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. The BCMAS program is packed with information about each role within medical affairs, all while You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). I strongly encourage all BCMAS allows up to 3 hours for their four-section exam which includes multiple . While the exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. It is also the first board certification for MSLs. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. JavaScript is disabled. science liaison to senior leader, you need something extra. Hi Not sure if you saw this recent PR release: I'm connected on social media with the founders of the org. industry. Medical affairs is the division within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or In keeping with this year's emphasis on cloud services, this certification enters this list with a promise to earn its qualifiers an average salary of $142,708. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. I will update this community should that change. 1. The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). Records indicate that UpJohn Pharmaceuticals was the first company to coin the term MSL in 1967. meet great people and appreciate the continued online education available. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Hi. Addressing everything in one place can help establish a solid foundation, build confidence and competence for individuals and teams. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. 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. Would anyone that has completed the program recommended it? within the medical community and serve as liaisons between HCPs and their company. CompTIA A+. Investing in a board certification at this age of growth is definitely time well spent. ProctorU is utilized by both organizations for proctoring of the exam and both are completed under timed conditions following an identity verification process. All Rights Reserved. This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. The ACMA has Live 24/7 Chat support feature. Format- 100% Online, Self-Paced, Audio Time Needed to Complete - 40 hours Exam Required- Yes (online) Medical affairs departments throughout the industry have thousands of executives with medical or pharmacy doctorate degrees, along with their associated credentials. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. 20 modules to prepare you for the Board Examination, Practice Question Bank to help prepare you for the BCMAS exam, Assistance with connections to MSL & Medical Affairs Recruiters, ACMA Easy Pay 3 Month-Installment Option (This gives you the option of splitting the payments over 3 months which is great especially for folks starting out and looking for financial flexibility. The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs is meeting the daily challenge of expanding and level-setting the knowledge base of medical affairs professionals throughout the industry. For more information, please see our One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. 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). 10. ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. Sitting quietly for hours at a time was at complete odds with my personality. The growing demands on pharmaceutical medical affairs professionals as a critical interface between the health care companies and stakeholdersincluding physicians and patientsemphasizes the need to standardize and certify core competencies and practices across medical affairs teams. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. You also need to understand how other people see you. MSL-BC requires this be accomplished every 3 years while BCMAS has an every 5 year requirement. 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. Johnson & Johnson Medical Science Liaison Jamie M. Dettler-Leonard, PhD, BCMAS from provides her review of the BCMAS program on the Pharmacy Podcast Network discussing why BCMAS was worth pursuing. A risk that I (imho) think might be worth taking. A quick search of Linked In will show a splattering of the newly developed MSL-BC professionals while a similar inquiry will find a larger number of those with the BCMAS credential many of whom are in more leadership medical affairs positions (the larger number no doubt due to the fact that BCMAS is for all of MA not specifically MSLs and has been around for an extended period of time comparatively). BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community.