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Health and education: arguably two of the most
vital elements of life, both for the individual
and society. Health education, then, must be of
utmost quality.
As technology feeds the growth of the health
care field, careers continually evolve; broadening
in responsibility, increasing in demand. The job
market for the health care industry in the United
States demands more trained specialists in this
field by the day. Ensuring quality education becomes
more and more essential as employers and patients
expect the highest possible level of training.
ABHES accreditation is fundamental to meeting
this expectation.
What is ABHES?
The purpose of the Accrediting Bureau of Health
Education Schools (ABHES) is to fulfill this fundamental
need: to ensure that health education is held
to the high standards it warrants, while working
to provide the best learning environment possible
for students.
ABHES accredits both entire institutions of allied
health education, as well as individual programs
such as Medical Assisting and Medical Laboratory
Technician. Private, post-secondary institutions
offering certificates and diplomas, as well as
Associate Degrees in Occupational Science and
in Applied Science, are eligible to apply for
accreditation. All ABHES-accredited schools are
privately owned and volunteer for accreditation.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, ABHES
operates under the formal recognition of the Secretary
of the US Department of Education. Because ABHES
is recognized, its members are eligible for Federal
Student Aid, clearly a significant advantage for
both students and schools. To receive this recognition,
the Bureau voluntarily petitioned and was held
to stringent standards by the Department. In December
2000, the Secretary granted recognition, and in
May extended the grant years to reach the maximum
length possible. ABHES continues to serve as the
only institutional accreditor specializing in
the allied health field with the Secretary's recognition.
What do ABHES standards
and accreditation do for students?
First and foremost, students know that quality
of ABHES-accredited curricula, instruction, administration,
and student services meet very high standards.
They are assured that all aspects of training
and instruction will meet employers' needs upon
graduation. Moreover, students graduating from
ABHES-accredited institutions and programs are
immediately eligible for exams such as the Registered
Medical Assistant exam, and are eligible to become
a Certified Medical Assistant after just one year
in the field. Registration and certification allow
graduates to market themselves as experts to employers,
while inspiring public and patient confidence.
Students also have a body with which to share
concerns, suggestions and difficulties should
they arise. ABHES staff responds quickly to student
concerns, working to better both the student outcomes
as well as improving the institution as a whole.
Along with standards regarding curricula, financial
aid, and instructor quality, ABHES evaluation
also involves student satisfaction as a component
of accreditation. In surveying students in many
facets of education, the team often becomes aware
of areas in which the institution, students and
ABHES may work together to better student outcomes.
As a bridge between institution and students,
ABHES evaluation often increases communication
while improving relations between students and
administration.
What do ABHES standards
and accreditation do for institutions?
ABHES-accredited institutions reap many benefits.
The most significant, of course, is the reputation
associated with ABHES accreditation; applicants
and the public have automatic confidence that
the school meets high standards. This reputation
attracts high-quality faculty and students, as
well as community respect and support. For example,
major hospitals and clinics work with students
in externships to afford the students vital practical
experience before graduation. Often the students
are placed in these sites for full-time employment
after completing their externships, increasing
public confidence in ABHES schools.
Another important benefit is the access to Federal
student financial aid programs. With ABHES' US
Department of Education recognition, schools are
able to offer a diverse program of loans and grants
from the Federal government; institutions without
recognition are unable to do so.
Consultation and continuing education is also
a part of ABHES accreditation. A variety of workshops
on teaching methodology, standards compliance,
and institutional effectiveness keep ABHES-accredited
schools current and focused in the field. Schools
also receive publications regularly, such as 'The
Advantage', a newsletter specific to the trends,
events and issues of the allied health industry.
What can I study at an
ABHES institution?
Currently, over fifty areas of study are offered
at ABHES-accredited institutions, from Medical
Assisting to Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technology,
from Pharmacy Technician to Ultrasound Diagnostic
Specialist, to Therapeutic Massage Therapy. For
a complete listing of areas of study and ABHES
schools, including Web site and emails, see www.abhes.org.
Recently, the Department of Education granted
ABHES an expansion in scope, to include institutions
that are 70% allied health. This opens the door
for more diverse programs under accreditation,
such as Microsoft Certified Engineering, Culinary
Arts, and Network & Database Engineering.
These areas of study add to the breadth and diversity
of ABHES curricula, offering both students and
institutions more options in career education.
Why choose ABHES?
"The focus of ABHES has always been helping
schools improve their programs so students may
achieve their career and employment goals,"
explains ABHES Commission Chair MD Groothuis.
"By concentrating on student outcome and
success without overly dictating how they accomplish
that end goal, we've left schools the latitude
to create and innovate - both in new program development
and new ways to deliver existing programs. This
has always been one of ABHES' strengths and one
of the many reasons our accreditation is valued
by its schools."
For more information about ABHES institutions
and programs, or becoming accredited, please
refer to www.abhes.org,
or contact the ABHES office at (703) 533-2082. |
