BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). Those who pass the certification exams will be qualified to solve basic issues in networking, operating systems, security and mobile devices. But as medical affairs strategic value continues to increase, executives need to be conversant about other vital aspects of the life sciences industry, such as pharmacovigilance, digital technology, or compliance and regulatory implications. As a result the BCMAS program has several international variations each containing region specific information. Everyone approaches the board certification process for different reasons. The certification offered is not meant to train people, it isn't meant to help them "break in." Anyone working in medical affairs understands that its a highly specialized area. Developed by industry experts and considered the industry standard by most for MSL certification. The BCMAS provided me with a thorough knowledge of medical affairs operations, the life You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. ), Financing Option through PayPal Credit (In partnership with PayPal, the ACMA offers the option for up to one year of financing for professional development and obtain your new MSL certification). Some are looking to add to their personal understanding of medical affairs role in the life sciences industry. It is meant to establish uniform standards for a profession that we advocate for (namely MSLs/med affairs professionals). Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. Need of the hour. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. A business opportunity with a 50/50 chance of succeeding. accredited college, university or institution. We cannot control how people decide to leverage their certification. 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. 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. Topics include: As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, ), Financing Option through PayPal Credit (In partnership with PayPal, the ACMA offers the option for up to one year of financing for professional development and obtain your new MSL certification). Medical Affairs as a discipline is accountable to varied deliverables. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. Just talked to some of my colleagues in regulatory affairs who are anywhere from SM to SVP in their respective companies, mostly Temple (. They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. Obviously don't take my word, do your own research but just my take on the topic. Getting the BCMAS Certification was definitely a major step in my career improve the quality of pharmaceutical The other challenge is if you have a higher chance of failing; you are then paying twice for the exam which eventually adds up and make it very similar in pricing to BCMAS (which allows 4 exam retakes in the initial cost). The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. The BCMAS seal means your medical affairs & MSL team has been rigorously evaluated by the leading . 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. MSLs may serve as scientific peers and resources within the medical community, and are scientific experts to internal colleagues at companies. The ACMA is the only organization committed to the medical science liaison profession, which has been featured in mainstream media such as ABC News, Forbes and the Boston Herald. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Medical affairs is a growing component of They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. If you are planning to join Medical Affairs, Join us for the largest annual conference on pre-market access to medicines. Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an is grabbing the attention of politicians and policymakers. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. Medical Affairs Manager, Upjohn-Pfizer. The average medical science liaisons salary is $136,000. Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. BCMAS is now on audio The #1 MSL & Medical Affairs Board Certification Program The Official Medical Science Liaison (MSLs) & Medical Affairs Board Certification- The only recognized program by regulators. Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an accredited college, university or institution. Very good article! CEO, A2A Pharmaceuticals, "BCMAS Review was excellent. Loved it! After completing my first postdoc, I was unemployed for over 6 months. Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. A displaced senior pilot-with 100,000 hours of heavy airline transport time, earning $150,000 a year-would have a hard time finding an equivalent highpaying job in school teaching. According to the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession has exploded to over 3000 MSLs across the country and is still growing. Apparently there is rumors about him lying and faking his PhD and plagiarizing things from the MSL Institute inside his book. But the trend has unmistakably been a steady increase in moving the BCMAS toward the industry standard. JavaScript is disabled. After some controversy, Thanks for sharing Jill! One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. More than ever, confidence in objective, science-based data about therapeutics, such as the COVID-19 vaccine and other health care services, is a shared imperative across the pharmaceutical industry, health care communities, and the American public. Doing the job well requires diverse set of competencies that develop over time, often with use of industry trainings that focus on individual topics, such as advisory panels or medical communication. MSL-BC requires this be accomplished every 3 years while BCMAS has an every 5 year requirement. ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. With questions looming about whether or not AstraZeneca cherry-picked its COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data, trust and transparency from pharmaceutical companies about the integrity of their science is front and center. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. Sitting quietly for hours at a time was at complete odds with my personality. orgAccreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMASThe ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionalsmedicalaffairsspecialist. We hope this MSL article was helpful! What constitutes a board certification designation? I very much agree that awareness of the discipline as a whole (of medical affairs) leads to higher levels of contribution. by Michael Grahame Moore, William G. Anderson. Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. You also need to understand how other people see you. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. What are your thoughts/experiences with BCMAS? Does anyone know about this combination? BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training / American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). Congrats on passing the exam and getting certified. Unfortunately, I cannot ensure that there are not shill accounts in this community. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are typically trained PhD professionals, physicians, or pharmacists. One thing that really stood out was that these industry professionals include Vice Presidents of Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officers, Medical Science Liaisons and other industry professionals. Nonquantifiables can be extremely important in business terms, but as hinted in the previous section, senior managers tend to focus on the money; often they are less interested in the nonquantifiables. The BCMAS program is the most comprehensive educational program for medical affairs professionals and unlike other training programs that may be available; it is the only one that is accredited. 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. Certifications and Ratings . I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid.. so though I expand my career. MSLs need to keep their ears to the ground and listening to Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and their needs, which can drive clinical development strategies. The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs' (ACMA) BCMAS certification fee (more on that later) comes along with. With increased scrutiny on pharmaceutical industry practices, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies are validating the knowledge of their field teams in medical affairs and sales is imperative. The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). However, I do notice quite a few MSLs with that certification. Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. 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. Never allow a serious crisis go to waste. So said former Mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of The BCMAS program is the most comprehensive educational program for medical affairs professionals and unlike other training programs that may be available; it is the only one that is accredited. About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). Thats not their only reason for getting a BCMAS certification, however. However, that is no longer debatable as two companies have found a way to make this board certification possible, testing examinees on everything but the science. 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. hit or miss. Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. Yes. But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? But you can clearly see on our website, our position. 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. CompTIA A+. 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. Director, Head of Medical Affairs, Astellas. This is rather controversial around here. The MSL-BC program is a very new certification (released in February 2020). Board Certification Medical Affairs (BCMAS), The Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Prior Authorization Certified Specialist Program (PACS), The ACMA was invited to Congress. That positive relationship can now be yours in your pharmaceutical medical affairs career. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. But comprehensive, accredited, educational programs for medical affairs professionals are few and far between. and our Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). It is also the first board certification for MSLs. sciences industry, cross-functionality within life science companies and the regulatory and ethical requirements of medical science liaisons. and improve on what I already know regarding Medical Affairs. Having a professional certification creates a uniform standard of competency and excellence for industry professionals who are responsible for providing critical information to doctors which impacts patient lives. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. What Happened to Expanded Access to New Medicines. 10. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. I thought it was interesting considering an acquaintance of mine (a former-MSL now in a non-field MedAffairs role) mentioned he didn't know anyone that cared for that certification. In contrast the MSLS made their program available earlier this year following a reported two-year collaboration process and after passing the MSL professional will be entitled to the credential MSL-BC. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. It is also the first board certification for MSLs. Addressing everything in one place can help establish a solid foundation, build confidence and competence for individuals and teams. About the MSL-BC. Accreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMAS medicalaffairsspecialist. MSLs have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a Experienced pharmaceutical professional with a track record of high performance across diversified therapy areas in trade and tender markets in the UAE Holding a Master's Degree in Clinical Pharmacy from Ajman University of Science and Technology and working towards medical affairs board certification (BCMAS) #cardiology #endocrinology #anaesthesia #neuroscience #psychiatry #urology # . Tel: +1 (201) 688-2230 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). Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. Many pharmaceutical industry futurists believe that certification and credentialing via the BCMAS program will be the norm in years to come as regulators push for higher standards of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, which has received negative attention due to the opioid crisis and other debacles in years past. 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. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. BCMAS is the first and only accredited program, as well as the longest standing MSL/Medical Affairs Certification program in the industry. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program sets the industry standard for the medical science liaisons and medical affairs professionals by providing an independently accredited award-winning career development program. Videory can be a good size for data scientists; enough other data scientists are around to provide mentorship and support, but the team is still small enough that you can get to know everyone. A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. this course will give you a very good perspective about what you are getting into. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacist, The ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionals. More and more medical affairs professionals sign up to undergo the certification process each month. Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The MSL-BC program is a very new certification (released in February 2020). A yearly membership to ACMA is approximately 2/3 the cost of MSLS ($200 vs. $290), but the outward appearance is that MSLS is a more active society and the membership includes the newly published digital MSL Journal. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA And while some Americans are waiting in line to get their COVID-19 vaccine, others are cautious due to doubts about the rapid vaccine development process and questions that have plagued the FDA about whether clinical data from pharmaceutical companies are being reviewed thoroughly. I took both exams. We are an accredited organization and take what we do very seriously as it impacts careers, company policies, etc.. You can email us directly at research@acmainfo.org. Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. 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? an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. industry professionals, I strongly encourage all Online, proctored by a webcam. Career-minded medical affairs professionals want to show senior leaders that their role is not just a job for them. Cookie Notice An important caveat is that, unlike the BCMAS program, with MSL-BC the additional cost to retake the exam can be as high as $400. One thing that I really liked about the BCMAS program is that it included a question bank which helps prepare its learners for the exam. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA), however, offers a Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program for medical affairs professionals across the career spectrum. some would be new. (Article updated to include link to part 2). 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. And theres certainly no programs offering board certification. Additionally, we use PayPal, so you can always use PayPal credit if you qualify. 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. There is really only one waythrough feedback. I spoke to one of their members on their website chat and he was down to earth, he showed me the benefits of the program along with some benefits you attain after completing the program. I view them as a way to develop and solidify already gained experience. Part 2 certainly goes into that sort of detail. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). Listen to BCMAS graduates share their stories! My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. 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). Its a comprehensive, self-paced online, on demand certification program built by industry leaders and subject matter experts. 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. Thank you! **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. It may not display this or other websites correctly. As I've stated before, I have read Dyer's book and found it helpful 3 years ago when breaking in. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, it's worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. Seems like you are jumping the gun a bit. You must log in or register to reply here. The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. SALARY Inc! The ACMA provides training and certification programs for the pharmaceutical & healthcare industries. Hi I just signed up for the course too. All Right Reserved. ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the Both are serving a purpose for their intended audience. diagnostic company that is focused on data generation and data dissemination to $700. I have been authorized to respond as ACMA. BCMAS established to create standards for knowledge, business skills and professional practice in the pharmaceutical industry. A quick search of Linked In will show a splattering of the newly developed MSL-BC professionals while a similar inquiry will find a larger number of those with the BCMAS credential many of whom are in more leadership medical affairs positions (the larger number no doubt due to the fact that BCMAS is for all of MA not specifically MSLs and has been around for an extended period of time comparatively). By looking at the job postings it seems this certification is meaningless. 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. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I was looking for avenues where I can learn more and grow in Medical Affairs. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. 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. 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 features data and insights from policymakers, industry and academic leaders, and patient advocates working to ensure equity, trust, and excellence in Medical Affairs professional engagements.