Certification validates an individual's knowledge of their specialty area, which can be applied towards improving an organization's care delivery system, to enhance sharing of the most current information and best practices with colleagues, to effectively impact patient recovery, treatment and healing, and to instill professional and personal pride in practice. Certification allows for the recognition of individuals with specialized knowledge and skills and assures the public they are receiving care from an individual with an established level of competence. Certification demonstrates commitment to the highest level of professionalism in patient care.
Models underlying the certification process link patient care or community needs with competencies.
These models have redirected professional practice away from traditional, bureaucratic models and refocused them on addressing multidimensional patient and community needs in an efficient, expeditious manner. In a competitive job market, certification is a professional asset. Certification is rigorous process that when successfully achieved demonstrates an ongoing commitment to scholarship, to improvement of patient care, and to the maintenance of clinical competence. Certification serves the public interest by Encouraging and identifying a certain group of clinicians who have demonstrated through formal education, clinical experience, and success on a written examination the knowledge, clinical skills, humanistic qualities and professionalism necessary to provide excellent patient care. Numerous studies have shown that certified clinicians possess a higher level of clinical knowledge and skill in their specialty area.