St. Louis
Medical Librarians

Newsletter
March 2005

AHIP: Academy of Health Information Professionals

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A few months ago I received an email message from a member of the MLA credentialing committee asking for help in promoting the Academy of Health Information Professionals credentialing process. I did send the message on to the listserv but that got me thinking. Just what is the AHIP and how many SLML members have AHIP credentials.

SLML member Anna Beth Crabtree currently serves on the MLA credentialing committee. She sent me a power point presentation that explained the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP). AHIP is a professional development and career recognition program of the Medical Library Association. There are a variety of AHIP membership levels -- all of which are considered to be fully qualified members of AHIP. The levels are:

  • Provisional
  • Member
  • Senior
  • Distinguished
  • Emeritus
Currently, 6 SLML Members have AHIP credentials.

One does not need to be a member of MLA to obtain AHIP credentials. There are more than 1,300 health information professionals in AHIP, representing the full range of work experience and accomplishments found among health information professionals.

All AHIP members have an ALA accredited Master's Degree in Library Science or another master's degree plus training in the seven essential areas of knowledge (listed below). The application process is based on academic preparation, professional experience and continuing education coursework in the Seven Essential Areas of Knowledge. These areas are:

  1. Information Systems and Technology
  2. Development and Management of Information Services
  3. Health Sciences Resource Management
  4. Instructional Support Systems
  5. Health Sciences Environment and Information Policy
  6. Health Sciences Information Services
  7. Research, Analysis, and Interpretation

The chart below explains the requirements needed for each AHIP level.
AHIP
Levels		 Education
Requirements		 Health Info.
Work
Experience		 Professional
Activity Points
Required		 Max CE Points Allowed Extra
Assoc Pts
Required		 Renewal
Term
Provisional All require an ALA-accredited master's degree or another master's plus training in the 7 essential areas under 5 yrsat least 8 pts per yr  Annually
Member 5 or more yrs50 pts50 pts 5 yrs
Senior 5 or more yrs 80 pts 50 pts 5 pts 5 yrs
Distinguished 10 or more yrs 120 pts 50 pts 10 pts
(5 MLA pts)		 5 yrs
Emeritus 10 or more yrs 2 AHIP terms completed     Not required

For information about the AHIP process, contact Anna Beth Crabtree. All of her contact information is in the SLML directory. SLML members may also contact Lynne Fox, the Chapter Credentialing Liaison for our area of the U.S. Her contact information is:

Lynne M. Fox, AMLS, MA, AHIP, Education Librarian
Denison Memorial Library, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
4200 East Ninth Avenue, Box A003, Denver, Colorado 80262
303-315-4299, 303-315-0294 (FAX), Lynne.Fox@uchsc.edu
- Jackie Hittner