Johnson & Johnson Medical Science Liaison Jamie M. Dettler-Leonard, PhD, BCMAS from provides her review of the BCMAS program on the Pharmacy Podcast Network discussing why BCMAS was worth pursuing. Many of the comments here are false and misleading. It is meant to establish uniform standards for a profession that we advocate for (namely MSLs/med affairs professionals). BPharm, MPH, MBA, BCMAS The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). I very much agree that awareness of the discipline as a whole (of medical affairs) leads to higher levels of contribution. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. background, so I found the program very helpful. But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. *If you do not have a terminal degree (i. e. PhD, etc. A final note, I am not affiliated nor a member of either the MSLS or ACMA Society at this time but would consider either a great choice. BCMAS offers you more than just the certification exam by including in-depth learning modules, a practice question bank, case studies, and more. But how can one get all this info? My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. Youre Certifiable! Some are looking to add to their personal understanding of medical affairs role in the life sciences industry. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. Medical affairs is a growing component of The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. Both are official board certifications, not certificate programs meaning the idea isnt to simply learn about being an MSL the goal is to prove you know what the credential specifically implies, BCMAS leaning towards overall medical affairs (MA) and MSL-BC focusing on the MSL career specifically. Have you talked to anyone in this field about this exam and employment chances? What constitutes a board certification designation? 10. About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). and be BCMAS.. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist and transition from retail pharmacy to the pharmaceutical industry. Unfortunately, I cannot ensure that there are not shill accounts in this community. The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. ACMA launched their accredited board certification program over 3 years ago; those who pass will garnish the BCMAS credential or are deemed Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialists. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. Please contact us for more information, or view the scholarships information page. BCMAS established to create standards for knowledge, business skills and professional practice in the pharmaceutical industry. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. I believe it in. ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the But does that mean anything? Exam Information, Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). MD, MBEE, BCMAS According to individuals who have gone through the curriculum and earned their BCMAS, the program meets all of those goals. Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. Content is always updated to reflect new business practices, technologies, market challenges and regulatory changes. I am also not associated with any organization, but upon doing my research Dyer's organization seems a bit screechy to me. What do the study materials cost? While the BCMAS program offers some great features, the 20 modules the ACMA includes to help MSLs prepare for the exam are definitely a great standout feature. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. The BCMAS provided me with a thorough knowledge of medical affairs operations, the life Anecdotally, BCMAS graduates have noticed more momentum in their recruiting activities. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. BCMAS was worth it! so what makes BCMAS so special that you think it's worth thousands of dollars when there are high quality comprehensive free online courses from places like NIH lol? One credentialing note of differentiation here: there is an amount of verbal diarrhea when it comes to whos the first this or which company has the only that, and both credentialing bodies claim to be the worlds first and/or only fill in the blank. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. Thats not their only reason for getting a BCMAS certification, however. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. hit or miss. Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Anyone working in medical affairs understands that its a highly specialized area. Never allow a serious crisis go to waste. So said former Mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. The ACMA is building further awareness of the important contributions that medical science liaisons make in advancing the science which ultimately improves the quality of life of patients. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) . in our pharmacy industry. However, the primary purpose of the MSL role is to build peer-peer relationships with leading HCPs, referred to as External Experts (EEs) at major academic centers of excellence around the world. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives BCMAS allows up to 3 hours for their four-section exam which includes multiple . This means that as an MSL, you will consistently reach out to people with the intent to educate them about your company and its products. A Tale of 2 MSL Board Certifications: What You Should Know - Part 1 by Michael Grahame Moore, William G. Anderson. Director, Head of Medical Affairs, Astellas. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Very good article! Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, I recently completed and passed. What do you guys/gals think? (1) completing 20 hours of continuing education credits approved by the ACMA or (2) by All Rights Reserved. Medical Science Liaison, Neurology Western Canada. $700. In regard to the value they deliver to our field however, the fees are within acceptable budget for training and development, and far less than what one may pay to participate in other Medical Affairs industry programs. Get your Medical Science Liaison (MSL) & medical affairs team COVID-19 ready, Ensure compliant & ethical field medical affairs team interactions during COVID-19, Enhance trust with the medical (and patient) communities and your accredited medical affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team. Once hired by a pharmaceutical company, they will be trained on (1) compliance rules and regulations related to interactions with HCPs and other important regulatory and compliance matters pertinent to the pharmaceutical industry to comply with PhRMA guidelines and (2) disease state and product(s) information related to the companys pipeline and currently marketed product(s). It never hurts to continue learning. In fact, I completed my PhD in a little over 4 years. Send a powerful message that you have achieved the highest standard of excellence, 90% of BCMAS professionals land the role they want in as little as two months, Build your brand as a subject matter expert with colleagues and HCPs, BCMAS Professionals earn up to 24% more than their peers, Senior Manager, Medical Science Liaison and Clinical Strategy Lead. The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc..) which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. The BCMAS content was developed by over 30 subject matter experts from academia, Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. Current professionals working within clinical research organizations (CROs). The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc. As the medical science liaison role continues to grow and evolve, the ACMA remains at the forefront for providing resources to help MSLs increase knowledge. Notwithstanding and beyond the scope of this review but for completeness, both the MSLS and ACMA are worthy non-profit organizations with outstanding missions, prestigious boards of governors and either (or both) is a great choice for a professional membership regardless of which board certification you choose. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. What are your thoughts/experiences with BCMAS? Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. Regardless of where you are in your MSL career, obtaining an MSL certification can help advance your MSL career and distinguish you among other MSL candidates when applying for a new MSL job or getting that promotion from MSL to MSL Manager or MSL Director. Apparently there is rumors about him lying and faking his PhD and plagiarizing things from the MSL Institute inside his book. It also customizes BCMAS exams to reflect different regions around the world so BCMAS is a great option for global MSL teams wanting to certify. Medical Liaisons help to ensure that products are utilized appropriately. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. ), but are still interested in being more informed and getting an edge on career advancement in Medical Affairs, the ACMA also offers a competency certificate (MACC) that includes the six topics starred * above. I'll be curious to read this carefully when I have a moment. I have a clinical Several years ago many did not believe that it would be possible to have a certification that broadly sweeps small and large organizations and everything in between including all therapeutic areas. You are using an out of date browser. 1. Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. My comment part 1: The topic of standardization in Medical Affairs is timely and important. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. *A note from the author: I penned these articles while waiting for my exam results from BCMAS. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. BCMAS Home | ACMA I applied to a lot of industry positions in the past and never got an interview. industry. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material to help individuals prepare. In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. Google Cloud - Cloud Digital Leader. This two-part article provides a good summary on the ACMA and MSLS programs. clinical medicine, and experts from the pharmaceutical industry. Loved it! And this has proven to be valuable to many who are now board certified thanks to the ACMA. Dr. Hughes Receives Board Certification as Medical Affairs Specialist meet great people and appreciate the continued online education available. Emanuel clarified his point: Its an opportunity to do things that you had never considered, or that BCMAS was worth it!" Brian Duncan MD, BCMAS Vice President, Medical Affairs . Medical Affairs, PharmD? Any one in Medical Affairs? I am considering BCMAS We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Organization behind the MSL Certification: The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. Seems like you are jumping the gun a bit. You must log in or register to reply here. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material . Yes, we have more time on our hands right now! Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. The ACMA provides training and certification programs for the pharmaceutical & healthcare industries. Due to the newness of the certification, there are very few people that have the MSL-BC credential, therefore, it is not well recognized yet. The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). I took both exams. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Press J to jump to the feed. To keep your certification active, there are two paths:. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. They constantly blast promotions about this certification and how important it will be without much substantiation. Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful comments. Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an for the exam. #msl #boardcertification #bcmas #mslbc #medicalaffairs #msls #acma. ACMA received IACET accreditation, whose processes helped us build a rigorous curriculum. In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. More important than setting themselves apart from other job seekers or attaching the BCMAS letters to the ends of their names, graduates of the ACMAs program want to demonstrate their commitment to medical affairs. ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. Medical Affairs Career? This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. However, after careful investigation it appears the BCMAS is the only accredited board certification while MSL-BC does not appear to be accredited though nearly 2 dozen respected leaders in medical affairs were apart of the credentialing examination collaboration process (if you are attached to the organization and have more complete information please dont hesitate to reach out for a correction as this specific point was hard to ascertain). No existing program, to my knowledge, covers the spectrum of Medical Affairs and related topics like ACMAs 20 learning modules. But, how do you go about getting certified? ACMA and The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) have different board certification credentials and the question becomes which is the right one for each MSL. Congrats on passing the exam and getting certified. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). BCMAS Frequently Asked Questions - Home | ACMA This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Online board certification program meant for medical science liaisons (MSL), medical directors, medical affairs professionals, medical/drug information, HEOR, pharmacovigilance, etc.. Includes 20 preparatory modules, case studies, and practice questions to help you best prepare for the board exam. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. Post title says it all. within the medical community and serve as liaisons between HCPs and their company. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You can do this by either Awesome article! Getting the BCMAS Certification was definitely a major step in my career improve the quality of pharmaceutical This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. Online board certification program meant for medical science liaisons (MSL), medical directors, medical affairs professionals, medical/drug information, HEOR, pharmacovigilance, etc.. Includes 20 preparatory modules, case studies, and practice questions to help you best prepare for the board exam. you didnt think were possible.. BCMAS designers developed content using psychometric analysis to ensure that graduates are held to the highest standards of learning and assessment. The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. What Happened to Expanded Access to New Medicines. **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. The ACMA provides training and certification programs for the pharmaceutical & healthcare industries. ", Lubna El-Najjar Naturally certain aspects may be less applicable to the unique role of a professional or a company. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. BCMAS is relevant for MSLs as well as other functions within Medical Affairs. Please select your appropriate region below to learn more about becoming certified today! Medical Director of Astellas Pharma Philippines. ACMA works with experts around the world to develop country- and region-specific content within the BCMAS curriculum using advanced geo-redirect technology features. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. These cookies do not store any personal information. Dr. Hughes achieved the Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) certification from ACMA in May of 2021 and believes that it will open new doors and provide her with more in-depth industry training that is needed to excel in the medical affairs career path. It is also the first board certification for MSLs. Do you need prior experience before taking this? Requirements for renewing your BCMAS certification: The BCMAS credential is valid for five (5) years. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Medical affairs is the division within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. being easy to digest. accredited college, university or institution. Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. However, you never know where your career will take you down the road and if you think that one day you might want to expand from an MSL to a medical director, medical affairs vice president, medical information or other areas in pharma, then having BCMAS is the way to go. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. As I've stated before, I have read Dyer's book and found it helpful 3 years ago when breaking in. So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program - $1999.99 Medical Terminology & Abbreviations - $99.99 Basic Principles in Pharmacology - $99.99 + + Buy all together : $ 2199.97 The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program - $1999.99 Medical Terminology & Abbreviations - $99.99 About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). It is designed to assist in the professional development of every MSL. The ACMA welcomes all points of view but we believe it's important to separate fact from fiction. So, I started looking for other types of positionspositions that would fit my strengths. I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid. so though I expand my career. You also need to understand how other people see you. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Need of the hour. High performers develop their capabilities to work more effectively in their roles. With this credential, your organization substantiates its commitment to quality care and improved patient outcomes. The ACMA offers customized training and professional development for MSL teams. In comparison the BCMAS credential is already being used by professionals from around the world because its been around for several years and industry leaders recognize BCMAS. I saw some colleagues It should be stated that all attempts were made to write an unbiased review article, however, only going through 1 of the certification programs and exams may have made it more difficult than expected. And often, medical affairs executives get so engrossed in their day to day activities that its challenging to gain a deep understanding of how other departments and functions operate, let alone train another colleague on these functions. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material to help individuals prepare. Does it give you an advantage when applying? It's a role which has a tremendous impact on the industry and overall healthcare ecosystem. Depending on your year of experience in the pharmaceutical, device, and/or diagnostics industry MSLs help facilitate research and educate residents/fellows and much more. ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. Joined May 7, 2015 Messages . The BCMAS program is a perfect resource for industry professionals, transitioning academics or anyone seeking to gain and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of healthcare landscapes, therapeutic development and regulatory infrastructure. Several Advisory board meetings held with Medical Affairs leaders and subject matter experts. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). Bachelors Degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited educational institution (a copy of the candidates highest degree or transcript must be provided at the time of registration). I learned so much last night from the free courses with a certificate to-show-at-the-end offered by NIH office of clinical research too. Those are some of the reasons why executives with more than a decade of industry experience have turned to the ACMA to earn their medical affairs credentials. medical affairs professionals. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist or BCMAS is a credential that goes right up there next to your name after MD, DO, PhD or PharmD. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There are BCMAS programs for Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Canada, and South America where material is customized based on regional differences in the regulatory & compliance landscape (For example, FDA vs. EMA vs. Health Canada) 5. Hi. Program Policies | ACMA If youre looking to only be an MSL, MSL-BC might be more suitable. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan.