(1) completing 20 hours of continuing education credits approved by the ACMA or (2) by Requirements for renewing your BCMAS certification: The BCMAS credential is valid for five (5) years. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is quickly becoming the industry standard for medical affairs professionals to attain. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. You can do this by either To better understand the overall value of each program it is important to examine what each program provides. It is impossible to operate in such scarcity. JavaScript is disabled. But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Loved it! 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. Still others are looking for a challenge to learn what they dont know. you didnt think were possible.. At this time, its difficult to tell how recognized the MSL-BC mark will become in the future and whether it will stand the test of time. Developed by industry experts and considered the industry standard by most for MSL certification. BCMAS Certification Associated preparation for each exam varies greatly. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS). This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. Given the requirement facing most CPAs that they complete an average of 40 hours of continuing professional education per year, combined with the flexibility inherent in technologybased training delivery, multimedia continuing professional education courses would seem to hold a definite allure for CPAs. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But high performers can see their salaries climb above $171,000. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Hi-- I am planning to take it as well. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. 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 allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). Awesome article! The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. medical affairs and MSL colleagues to enroll in BCMAS, Board Certification Medical Affairs (BCMAS), The Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Prior Authorization Certified Specialist Program (PACS), Listen to the ACMA podcast on Pharmacy Podcast, Clinical Trial Design & Evidence Based Medicine, Comparative View of the Mechanism of Action of Drugs for every organ system, Presentation & Communications Strategies for MSLs, Professional Ethics Related to Interactions with HCPs, Anatomical & Physiological Effects of Drugs, Compliance for pharma, device & diagnostics, Effective Advisory Boards for Medical Affairs. As I've stated before, I have read Dyer's book and found it helpful 3 years ago when breaking in. 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. 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. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. I was looking for avenues where I can learn more and grow in Medical Affairs. A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. 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 our All Right Reserved. Part 2 of this short series will dive deep into the specifics of each of the certifications, including detailed descriptions of both programs, cost of the certification and exam fees and who is eligible to sit for each exam (spoiler alert: it is not the same group of test takers). And theres certainly no programs offering board certification. 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. One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. 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. So, I started looking for other types of positionspositions that would fit my strengths. My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. Growing need for medical affairs certification. medical affairs and MSL colleagues to enroll in BCMAS. Content is always updated to reflect new business practices, technologies, market challenges and regulatory changes. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. Tel: +1 (201) 688-2230 I have been getting mixed reviews when asking and thought to ask this community. It is meant to establish uniform standards for a profession that we advocate for (namely MSLs/med affairs professionals). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. 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). Video advice: What is a Medical Science Liaison? If you have any questions , please direct them to our staff directly who would be happy to help you , rather than making assumptions about what we do on an anonymous forum. 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. I had the opportunity to 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. medical affairs professionals. The ACMA has Live 24/7 Chat support feature. When comparing both certifications directly a stark contrast can be seen. In a nutshell, this program gave me an in-depth perspective on the dynamic role a medical science liaison plays in scientific exchange and data generation. ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the 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. Listen Now! MSL launch readiness is an important skill and many medical affairs teams intently focus on the activities that will be most important when preparing for a products launch. A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. ), 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). So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. Youre Certifiable! Achieving the highly respected Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Accreditation from ACMA provides this proof. If youre looking to only be an MSL, MSL-BC might be more suitable. 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. is grabbing the attention of politicians and policymakers. I took both exams. Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are typically trained PhD professionals, physicians, or pharmacists. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for The BCMAS helped me to tie together my story as a candidate.. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). Several Advisory board meetings held with Medical Affairs leaders and subject matter experts. Topics include: Maximize your MSL teams emotional intelligence and how to use it to build relationships. Furthermore, if having an accredited organization confer an MSL certification matters to you, then ACMA is the way to go. Medical affairs is a growing component of Does anyone know about this combination? Hi. The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. This two part series endeavors to compare both certifications equipping professionals to make that decision for themselves. In keeping with this year's emphasis on cloud services, this certification enters this list with a promise to earn its qualifiers an average salary of $142,708. The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams. It can help you break into a medical affairs role in big pharma or even accelerate your career advancement. Apparently there is rumors about him lying and faking his PhD and plagiarizing things from the MSL Institute inside his book. Sitting quietly for hours at a time was at complete odds with my personality. What do you guys/gals think? This button displays the currently selected search type. Join us for the largest annual conference on pre-market access to medicines. It is designed to recognize excellence among those who wish to specialize as experts in medical affairs. Landing an MSL role isnt easy. I have nothing against the guy but I don't trust his company. Both are serving a purpose for their intended audience. I can briefly share my experience with the ACMA program which I found quite worthwhile: Privacy Policy. Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. ProctorU is utilized by both organizations for proctoring of the exam and both are completed under timed conditions following an identity verification process. 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. you didnt think were possible.. Medical Director of Astellas Pharma Philippines. Myth: I hope this article was useful to help you choose which MSL certification is right for you. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. The study materials are all provided. Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. medical affairs professionals. doctorate degree (Ph.D., PharmD., M.D.). 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. ACMA received IACET accreditation, whose processes helped us build a rigorous curriculum. 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. But a MSL position is not right for everyone. 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. 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. 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. The BCMAS certification is internationally recognized, and achieving the BCMAS . But you can clearly see on our website, our position. I wanted to work in medical affairs as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the pharmaceutical Achieving the BCMAS demonstrates the highest standards of knowledge and excellence in the Medical Affairs profession. 10. How far have you gotten? ", Lubna El-Najjar 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. I literally knew nothing about how to be an MSL when you got me. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. I just signed up to take and they do a background check to verify your application. The briefing will address the important and growing role pharmaceutical medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals play in educating the medical community and public on new health care advancements and the need for certification to standardize practices across the industry for greater transparency and accountability. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA Highlights the ongoing positive growth and evolution of the industry and how medical affairs contributes importantly to this. Medical Affairs Career? Required fields are marked *. 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. healthcare providers (HCPs). Take the first steps toward achieving the gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry. Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. 7+ Year Member. You do not need prior industry experience but you do need to have a pharmd/phd/md/do etc. This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. The ACMA has an important mission BCMAS can help improve the quality of pharmaceutical Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacist, The ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionals. *If you do not have a terminal degree (i. e. PhD, etc. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cookie Notice 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). Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification. Thats becoming more difficult to do as medical affairs becomes increasingly strategic, increasingly larger as a function within the industry and increasingly competitive. Just talked to some of my colleagues in regulatory affairs who are anywhere from SM to SVP in their respective companies, mostly Temple (. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. Medical Science Liaison, Neurology Western Canada. Board certifying medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals is critical to ensure ethical practices, compliance excellence, and public trust at this crucial time. They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. 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. 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. Certifications and Ratings . The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). But the BCMAS credential has a unique appeal for medical affairs executives, many of whom dont have a formal medical doctorate. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The lowest rating is NEMA 1 . The BCMAS seal means your medical affairs & MSL team has been rigorously evaluated by the leading . Seems like you are jumping the gun a bit. You must log in or register to reply here. Are the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) and the board-certified medical affairs specialist (BCMAS) certification legitimate and desired by medical affairs hirers in industry, or is it a scam set up by the Apotheker Group and William and Suzanne Soliman. Expanded Access to Advanced Cell Therapies. The BCMAS certification is the most comprehensive Medical Affairs professional development and training program in the world. It's always a challenge to transition from academia to industry. 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. 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. MSLs help facilitate research and educate residents/fellows and much more. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material . The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material to help individuals prepare. Associate Global Medical Director, Novo Nordisk. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. There is really only one waythrough feedback. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. These cookies do not store any personal information. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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). One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. I look forward to your thoughts if you have a chance to read it as well. The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Read more, Listen to the ACMA podcast on Pharmacy Podcast, Establish yourself as an authority in pharma, Demonstrate mastery of the Medical Science Liaison/Medical Affairs profession with this award-winning program. 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. 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. You also need to understand how other people see you. Curious to know if the BCMAS is worth pursuing? Career-minded medical affairs professionals want to show senior leaders that their role is not just a job for them. 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. What do the study materials cost? I heard it is becoming the industry standard. While the exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. 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. for the exam. Meet Kerry Flecknoe, an experienced Medical Science Liaison (MSL), and recent BCMAS graduate who shares her journey towards becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs. clinical medicine, and experts from the pharmaceutical industry. Our training programs can be customized to meet your companys specific needs (disease state, clinical, and soft skills training). 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. Beyond internal training within their companies, medical affairs executives simply dont have structured options for learning how the different functions within the life science industry interact with each other. I am also not associated with any organization, but upon doing my research Dyer's organization seems a bit screechy to me. ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. With a curriculum that includes best practices across the organization, the ACMAs aim is to reinforce an integrated, cross-functional approach to medical affairs that makes medical affairs to be viewed as a true partner by other departments. As for ACMA, the content of modules and associated tools, access to online chat, and opportunity to get board certified, are well worth the cost. For medical science liaisons, the BCMAS provides a professional credential that demonstrates a commitment to the role, a dedication to a high standard of excellence and protects the integrity of medical affairs. BCMAS was worth it! I recently completed and passed. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. BCMAS or Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is the first and only certified program designed for MSL professionals who want to be a Board Certified MSL. The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs and MSL Society. Obviously don't take my word, do your own research but just my take on the topic. About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. SALARY Inc! Online, proctored by a webcam. Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. More and more medical affairs professionals sign up to undergo the certification process each month. sciences industry, cross-functionality within life science companies and the regulatory and ethical requirements of medical science liaisons. For more information, please see our Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. 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. 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. We hope this MSL article was helpful! 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. Press J to jump to the feed. The preparatory modules allowed me to learn new things 1. MD, MBEE, BCMAS Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. The National Electrical Manufacturing Association, or NEMA, enclosure standards denote where whole-house surge protectors can be installed. The BCMAS program connects you to the clinical knowledge real-world experience, and leadership skills needed to be successful within the pharmaceutical industry's clinical medical affairs / MSL space. No existing program, to my knowledge, covers the spectrum of Medical Affairs and related topics like ACMAs 20 learning modules. But does that mean anything? I agree with you but don't you think that the topics they cover could at least give you some knowledge about the field which could potentially help in getting your foot in the door? 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). CompTIA A+. Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. The MSL-BC includes only the certification exam and the onus is on the learner to try and find material to help them prep for the exam. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. (See below for the rest of my comment ). How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. Both your newly hired and experienced MSLs will benefit from this training with topics that include: Help your MSL team understand the changing landscape when working with different internal and external stakeholders. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, Google Cloud - Cloud Digital Leader. You are using an out of date browser. Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. 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. Does it give you an advantage when applying? 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 is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Medical affairs is a growing component of It's a role which has a tremendous impact on the industry and overall healthcare ecosystem. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). All Rights Reserved. life sciences & healthcare industries. Addressing everything in one place can help establish a solid foundation, build confidence and competence for individuals and teams.