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Education

Consumer Health Information Specialization Program

Consumer Health Information Specialization Program

Link to MLA Publishing for consumer health books for public librarians.

To top of page 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.

To top of page 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

To top of page 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 [PDF].

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
  • MLA-approved CHIS courses [PDF]
    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.
  • 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) [PDF] form. This form and its accompanying materials will be reviewed for credit, and you will be notified if your activity is approved.
  • Discussion groups
    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 [PDF].

To top of page 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
  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 		Renewal at same level = 8 hours

To top of page Forms
Thanks to Rittenhouse for their sponsorship of MLA's website.

Thanks to Mosby's Index for their sponsorship of the MLA website.

Thanks to the Endocrine Society for their sponsorship of the MLA website!