Spotlight: National American University (NAU): Medical Staff Services Management
Train for:
- Accreditation
- Regulatory compliance
- Peer review
- And more!
“NAU definitely lives up to its core value 'to provide a caring and supportive learning environment.'”- Jeanine Waldorf, Alumna
As the U.S. healthcare industry expands at a breakneck pace, oversight and organization have become more crucial than ever. In hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient centers, clinics and residential care facilities, trained professionals must manage daily operations, oversee staff credentialing and ensure that the facility and staff adhere to all regulations. National American University's associate degree in Medical Services Staff Management offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students to fill this demanding role.
What is Medical Staff Services Management?
Driven primarily by the increase in malpractice lawsuits and legislation, the acknowledged importance of proper medical staff credentialing and peer review has grown in recent years. This job requires more than a simple knowledge of rules and regulations, however. To properly discharge the required duties, a medical staff services manager must have a thorough understanding of accreditation and regulatory compliance, medical staff services administration, the credentialing process, privileging, risk mitigation, medical law, peer review and information management. On a day-to-day basis, the medical staff services manager may be responsible for:
- Adherence to all local, state and federal regulations
- Managing compliance
- Ensuring staff credentials
- Operations management (budgets, staffing, database administration, etc.)
- Continuing education
- Upholding organizational policies and procedures
The industry standard for this career path is the Certified Professional in Medical Services Management (CPMSM) or the Certified Professional Credentialing Specialist (CPCS) designation. Awarded by examination, these credentials are a symbol of excellence within the industry and are increasingly preferred or required by employers. To sit for either of these examinations, you typically must have three to five years of experience in the medical services field, including one consecutive year of experience leading up to the exam. NAU's associate degree can help students prepare for certification.
NAU's Associate of Applied Science in Medical Staff Services Management
Offered fully online, NAU's AAS program in Medical Staff Services Management provides a solid educational foundation for this career. This comprehensive and flexible program accommodates students from all backgrounds, whether they are new to the healthcare field or are credentialing professionals preparing for certification. The MSSM degree qualifies graduates to work for a credentialing organization, hospital, or managed care, ambulatory care, or healthcare facility.
The primary goal of the MSSM program is to provide a thorough overview of medical staff services administration. During the degree program, students will build knowledge and skills in critical thinking, project management, problem-solving and current credentialing technology. Through participation in classroom discussions, students learn collaboration and leadership skills.
MSSM Degree Program Goals
NAU is committed to producing graduates with a general knowledge of medical review assessment. As an NAU alum, you'll be able to demonstrate to employers your competence in compliance, medical staff law, accreditation and regulatory standards. You'll be trained in all aspects of credentialing and recredentialing allied health and medical staff professionals.
Other learning outcomes include:
- Ability to develop and maintain database management programs for medical staff services activities
- Development of effective communication skills, in order to provide appropriate support to staff leaders
- Ability to accurately document department and committee activities, as required by medical staff bylaws, national accreditation standards, institutional policies, government regulations and insurance and legal requirements
- Recognition of the value of lifelong learning, through participation in continuing education and involvement in professional organizations
While an associate degree is the fastest route to the workforce, advanced education often leads to higher-level roles within an organization. If you want to take your healthcare career to the top tier, the MSSM is designed to transfer into NAU���s Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management.
Coursework for the AAS in Medical Staff Services Management
Students will take the following combination of general education and MSSM-specific courses during the associate degree program:
- Introduction to U.S. Health Care Delivery
- Quality Improvement and Risk Management
- Healthcare Law
- Medical Staff Services Management
- Medical Terminology
- Pathophysiology of Disease
- Database for Windows
- Principles of Management
- Composition
- Speech
- Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology
- Algebra
- Humanities
- Introduction to Psychology
- Human Relations
- Introduction to CIS
- Strategies for Success
- Career Management
Why Choose National American University?
"I believe that learning is a life-long process," says alumna Jeanine Waldorf, who holds a B.S. in Health Care Management from NAU. "I was impressed with the caring of the staff at NAU. NAU definitely lives up to its core value 'to provide a caring and supportive learning environment.'"
National American University was founded in 1941 (as the National School of Business) to provide high-quality professional and technical degrees to students from a wide range of backgrounds. With its online campus located in Rapid City, South Dakota, NAU now offers associate, bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as diplomas and degree completion programs, to students at 17 central U.S. campuses and online. On-campus and online students are equally valued members of the community, and NAU's expert faculty and caring staff are committed to students' success in business, healthcare and related fields.
“We're with you every step of the way, until you wear your cap and gown,��� says NAU Online president Dr. Blake Faulkner.”
The university shares a long-standing tradition of excellence, rooted in the promise that we make to every student: “We're with you every step of the way, until you wear your cap and gown,” says NAU Online president Dr. Blake Faulkner.
To meet the needs of working adults around the world, NAU has built educational partnerships with other institutions on a national and international level. Thanks to NAU's regionally accredited system of campuses and learning centers, students can enjoy degree programs in traditional, accelerated and distance learning formats, according to their needs. As a renowned national university, NAU's mission is to meet the complex and constantly changing educational needs of students, employers, and their communities.
National American University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, (312) 263-0456. www.ncahlc.org.
