Education
Consumer Health Information Specialization Program
Link to MLA Publishing for consumer health books for public librarians.
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Program Goals and Description
The goals of MLA's Consumer Health Information Specialization are to
- improve health information services for consumers,
- create partners in the delivery of consumer health information, and
- increase access to consumer health information courses.
Who can participate?
- medical librarians
- public librarians
- librarians working in consumer health libraries
- allied health professionals
How can the specialization benefit you?
The Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) will help you
keep current in the consumer health information field by providing access
to new resources and ideas in the field. The CHIS will also help you obtain
an additional level of expertise in the area of consumer health information.
Levels and Requirements
The program is divided into two0 levels of participation:
CHIS Level I |
CHIS Level II |
for those who desire a basic familiarity with consumer health information resources |
for those who want additional training in consumer health areas |
requires completion of 12 hours in approved CHIS courses |
requires completion of 24 hours in approved CHIS courses |
participants must have eight of the required 12 hours in MLA-approved coursework |
participants must have 18 of the 24 required hours in MLA-approved coursework |
Application and Renewal
Initial Application
You have three years to gather the contact hours needed to apply for the
Consumer Health Information Specialization, ending with the date you submit
your materials. For example, if you submit your documentation in June
2006, the hours must represent CHIS courses or activities taken beginning
in June 2003. Each specialization is valid for three years after issuance
and may be renewed. For the most up to date information on requirements
see the CHIS Policies and Procedures .
Academy credit
MLA hours earned through the CHIS program may be used for credit in MLA's Academy of Health Information Professionals.
CHIS courses and other activities
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You must take at least one general consumer health course from the approved
MLA-approved CHIS course list. The remaining hours may come from either the
general or specialty CHIS course and educational activity list. Information
about MLA-approved CHIS courses and other educational activities is available
on MLANET.
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Courses not approved by MLA for the CHIS
If you attend an educational activity that is not approved by MLA for CHIS
and would like to have it considered for your application, please fill out
an Individual Participant Request (IPR)
form. This form
and its accompanying materials will be reviewed for credit, and you will be
notified if your activity is approved.
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If you participate in a discussion group, you will be eligible for credits
providing the articles have a consumer health focus. Please submit an IPR
form for credit .
CHIS Summary
- Participate in consumer health information educational activities and earn MLA CE contact hours.
- Complete the CHIS Application.
- If your educational activity is not an MLA-approved activity for this program, fill out an IPR form to gain credit.
- Send in your completed application, CE certificates, and IPR form (if applicable) to MLA.
- MLA will process your application and upon approval will send you a certificate recognizing your achievement.
CHIS Summary Chart |
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Level I (NHSL & HSL) |
Level II |
Required hours |
12 hours in approved CHIS courses and at least 3 courses or educational activities |
24 hours in approved CHIS courses and at least 4 courses or educational activities |
MLA-approved CHIS hours |
8 hours must be in MLA-approved CHIS coursework |
18 hours must be in MLA-approved CHIS coursework |
Category A hours |
Requires 4 hours in a Category A course |
Requires 4 hours in a Category A course |
Remaining hours |
Requires at least 2 courses from either Category A or B |
Requires at least 3 courses from either Category A or B |
Basic Searching course |
NHSL may take 1 basic searching class HSL may not apply a basic searching class |
May not apply a basic searching class |
Renewal hours |
Renewal at same level = 8 hours
renewal at higher level = 24 hours
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Renewal at same level = 8 hours |
Forms
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