There are key criteria to consider when selecting a resource partner for your allied healthcare learning, skills development and certification needs. While each program is different, this guide can help any administrator navigate the complex decision-making process to identify a partner able to support their objectives.
1. Accreditation
Accreditation and compliance are fundamental to any quality curriculum because they demonstrate impartial, third-party validation. That’s why you’ll want to be sure that your partner’s certification programs are accredited through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Not only does this demonstrate a commitment to upholding rigorous industry standards, but it also helps programs attract top prospects, since NCCA-accredited certifications often lead to better pay, job security and professional development
2. Educational Foundation
As you consider partners, be aware of solutions that seem overloaded with content. Often, too much material hinders a learner’s ability to retain knowledge and master key concepts to become a practice-ready allied healthcare professionals.
That’s why NHA specifically designs right-sized product solutions proven to help users learn, apply, and assess their progress—building the confidence they need to perform at the highest level and succeed in certification and professionally.
NHA’s four pillars of a sound educational foundation:
- Learn: Right-sized content focused on essential skill development
- Assess: Regular assessments and quizzes to steadily build learner confidence
- Apply: Simulations, case studies, practice activities and more to help learners apply knowledge, make decisions and understand outcomes
- Succeed: Products designed to help individuals succeed in certification and beyond
3. Single-Source Partner
Be sure to consider the breadth of solutions and services offered by potential partners. For instance, do they provide exam preparation or certification? What about administrative, clinical and soft skills training resources?
Working with a single-source partner rather than several providers results in a more streamlined learning experience and typically, better outcomes. As an example, NHA’s cohesive suite of solutions include:
- Core learning resources providing foundational knowledge
- Competency-based clinical, administrative and professional skill development based on employer-desired abilities
- Exam preparation and NCCA-accredited certifications to validate knowledge and job-relevant capabilities
- Provisional certification offered to high school candidates up to 12 months before graduation
- Access to additional resources like job boards, case studies, and ongoing professional opportunities to promote career growth
4. Customer Service
Trust is paramount with any partner. Be sure to choose one that provides thoughtful and personalized consultation services across interactions. At NHA, we guide and assist schools and organizations by:
- Assigning them a dedicated account manager.
- Providing easy access to customer service via email, online chat, social media and a toll-free support line.
- Informing them of important exam dates, renewal and continuing education opportunities.
- Sharing with them complimentary content, educational blogs, ongoing professional development and career resources.
Also, you can gain valuable insights into what it would be like to team with a potential partner by reviewing metrics like their Net Promoter Score®, which is used to gauge customer loyalty, satisfaction and enthusiasm.
5. Supporting Exam Preparation
Just like you are, a certification partner should be dedicated to continuously improving the learning experience by performing industry research and evolving their tools and resources to serve today’s user. Look for a partner that provides:
- Right-sized content focused on employer-identified key competencies.
- Exam study resources offering self-paced learning and real-world application of skills and concepts.
- Practice tests to help prepare and build confidence ahead of certification exams.
As an example, NHA’s interactive, easy-to-navigate learning and exam prep solutions are broken up into easily digestible modules that include a combination of learning content, videos, simulations and practice activities to engage a variety of learning styles. NHA users can view their progress as they go and access helpful resources—glossary terms, flashcards, and more—to stay on track.
6. Analytic Support
Data and analytics can drastically improve testing outcomes. Look for a partner who can provide insights that facilitate real-time adjustments, provide candidate or instructor feedback, and improve exam preparation. For instance, NHA actionable insights include:
- Analytics based on location, specific classes, and learner cohorts
- Year-over-year data that measures overall program performance
- Analytics that provide personal remediation tools directing candidates back to concepts they still need to master
This NHA blog provides an in-depth look at why it’s a good idea for those in health care to embrace data and how a partner like NHA can help.
7. Credential Stacking Opportunities
Certification is critical for any allied health care professional interested in remaining competitive in their field. In fact, today, 83% of employers state they would hire a candidate with nationally recognized certifications over someone without.
To best serve your learners and take your program above and beyond, choose a partner that offers the opportunity to earn multiple certifications at once. Stacking credentials enhances an individual’s professional opportunities by adding credibility, diversifying their skill set and empowering them to take on increasingly complex responsibilities.
Selecting the right partner is a big decision. As you weigh your options, keep these key criteria in mind - and remember that NHA is with you every step of the way.
