The Academy of Health Information Professionals
General Information FAQ
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General
Eligibility
Academy Application
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What is the Academy of Health Information Professionals?
The Academy of Health Information Professionals is a professional development
and career recognition program of MLA. Admission to and the level
of academy membership (Provisional, Member, Senior, Distinguished
and Emeritus) are based on three areas of achievement: academic preparation,
professional experience, and professional accomplishment.
What exactly does membership in the academy mean?
Members of the academy are credentialed as health information professionals
by demonstrating their academic preparation, professional experience and
professional accomplishments. Credentialing differs from certification
in that certification focuses on the attainment of minimum standards and
measurable competencies, whereas credentialing recognizes the time and
effort that is required for professional development. It also differs
from licensure because licensure is a legal requirement for professionals
in certain professions, such as medicine.
Academy membership is a designation recognizing the time and effort a health information professional commits to professional development activities.
How is the academy related to the Medical Library Association?
MLA established its credentialing program in 1949* and the Academy of
Health Information Professionals (passed by the MLA membership in September
1974, was established January 1,1978, and revised September 1981, April
1989, and May 1993).
The most recent action by MLA occurred in April 1995, when the MLA Board
of Directors appointed members to the Task Force to Review the Academy
of Health Information Professionals. In May 1996, the task force completed
its report and recommendations to the MLA Board of Directors, who reviewed
the academy in its current form and made recommendations for future goals.
* For more detailed information about the history of MLA's credentialing
program, consult the following articles:
- darling l. The view behind and ahead: implications of certification.
Bull Med Libr Assoc 1973 Oct;61(4):37586.
- bell jah. History of the Medical Library Association's credentialing
program. Bull Med Libr Assoc 1996 Jul;84(3):32033.
How do I become an academy member?
You should follow the directions found under Application
Process. If you can not print the needed forms or need more instruction,
please contact the professional
development department at the Medical Library Association, 65 East
Wacker Place, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60601-7246; 312.419.9094 x28; fax,
312.419.8950. Upon receipt of the completed forms, MLA will forward the
application packet to the Credentialing Committee for analysis. Applicant
and supervisor are notified, by letter, of acceptance; applicant only
is notified of non acceptance.
Do I have to be an MLA member to join the academy?
No. As of January 1994, membership in the academy is available to both
MLA members and non-MLA members who meet the required professional education
and experience requirements. An individual may join as an MLA member (pay
dues for current year plus an academy application fee of $175, or $100
for Provisional level) or as a non-MLA member ($350 academy application
fee or $200 for Provisional level).
What are the educational requirements for academy membership?
Academy admission requires possession of an M.L.S. degree from a program accredited
by the American Library Association (ALA)
or a post-baccalaureate degree in any field accredited by a member of the Commission
on Recognition of Postsecondary AccreditationCouncil (CORPA). Candidates possessing
a non library science degree must submit evidence of knowledge in all Professional
Competencies as outlined in the Competencies
for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success.
ALA accreditation applies only to U.S. and Canadian schools. Are any library science degrees from outside the U.S. and Canada acceptable?
The ALA recognizes that the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand
have formal accreditation processes, therefore, individuals with degrees
from specific institutions in these countries may be considered acceptable
for employment in the United States and for membership in the academy.
For a list of these institutions or information about degrees from other countries,
please refer to the "Foreign
Credentials Evaluation Assistance" ALA Web page for more information.
I do not have an ALA MLS, but I have a sixth year certificate from an accredited ALA school. Does this meet the academy's educational requirements?
Yes. Persons who hold a non-ALA MLS but who hold a sixth year certificate
or a doctoral degree from a school which offers an ALA-accredited master's
degree meet the academy's educational requirement.
I have a non-library science degree from an accredited post Baccalaureate program. Do I have to show that I have knowledge of the health information field?
Yes. In addition to fulfilling all other academy requirements for membership,
candidates possessing non-library science degrees must submit evidence of knowledge
in all the Professional Competencies
as defined in MLA's Educational Policy
Statement.
What does the academy require as proof that I have an accredited degree or that I meet the Professional Competencies requirement?
A copy of a diploma is acceptable as proof of degree and official transcripts
of formal course work are necessary to evaluate compliance with
Professional Competencies. In addition, if one cannot reasonably assume
from the title of the course that the Professional Competency would have been
covered, a syllabus or detailed course outline showing the specific subject
matter covered is required. Certificates of completion are required for continuing
education.
What is relevant post-baccalaureate degree experience in health information science?
Relevant post-baccalaureate degree experience in health information science
is defined as participation in the profession, including but not limited to
professional librarianship. Health information experience may be in any setting.
This includes librarians working in science divisions of public, college, or
university libraries; those working in allied health libraries or law libraries
specializing in health care case work; librarians working in health information
management or systems departments; librarians working for public health agencies;
web based companies with a health care focus; library consortia or regional
library councils. Work experience cannot be used to satisfy the Professional
Competencies requirement.
I work part-time. Can I still apply for academy membership?
Yes. Full-time work experience is defined as working a minimum of 24
hours per week and is based on a minimum of eleven months of full-time
work for each year required. Candidates with part-time employment experience
must still have the equivalent of five years full-time experience.
I don't have five years experience. Will I have to wait to apply?
No. If you have an ALA-accredited M.L.S. or an accredited post-baccalaureate
degree with documented course work in all Professional
Competencies AND less than five years of relevant experience in the health
information field following your master's degree, you can enter the academy
at the Provisional level. Provisional membership lasts for one year only. However,
it may be renewed annually, up to four times or until the Provisional Member
has been employed in a health information position for five years following
the master's degree, whichever comes first. A mentor will be assigned to you
to guide you on to the Member level and make sure you meet the 8 points of MLA-sponsored
instruction each year for renewal of Provisional membership.
How can I be sure MLA has received my application?
It is recommended that you send your application material by certified
mail with return receipt requested. The academy acknowledges receipt of
the portfolio and fee via e-mail.
What happens to my application after I submit it to MLA headquarters?
It is received at MLA headquarters and checked by the Professional Development
department. It is then mailed to a member of the Credentialing Committee
who reviews and evaluates it. It is then sent on to the chair-designate
of the Committee who resolves any discrepancies. The chair-designate forwards
the portfolios of the approved academy members to the Professional Development
department. The candidate is then notified by mail.
Can you suggest some resources in addition to the application information provided by the academy that are helpful for international librarians who want to apply for academy membership?
Yes. You might want to read the following:
Medical Library Association. Competencies
for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success, 2007.
American Library Association/Standing Committee on Library Education/International
Library Education Subcommittee. Information for Persons from Outside
the United States Seeking Employment as Professional Librarians in the
United States,1988.
International Association of Universities. Methods of Equivalencies
between Degrees and Diplomas. Paris: Unesco, 1970.
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