If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid.. so though I expand my career. I'm leaning towards the former. And this has proven to be valuable to many who are now board certified thanks to the ACMA. BCMAS is the first and only accredited program, as well as the longest standing MSL/Medical Affairs Certification program in the industry. Accreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMAS medicalaffairsspecialist. 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. 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. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material to help individuals prepare. Career-minded medical affairs professionals want to show senior leaders that their role is not just a job for them. But how can one get all this info? Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS). Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. Post title says it all. This number is inclusive regardless of the name du jour from an individual company to include: Regional Scientific Director, Clinical Liaison, Thought Leader Liaison, Field Medical Director etc. The 3 Month (100 Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http://www.medicalaffairsspecialist-affairs-specialist-program/exam-information/, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/director-of-medical-affairs-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm, https://pharmacy.temple.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/qara-non-thesis-ms, http://shp.rutgers.edu/dept/biopharma/certificates/, The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program (BCMAS) comes to Rutgers University providing a new path forward for scientific and clinical professionals looking to work within the pharmaceutical industry, Opinion on regulatory affairs vs. medical affairs, Regulatory Affairs or Medical Information, All resources are student and donor supported. We have answered the questions, What is an MSL? and talked quite a bit about Medical Liaison Training. Now that we know what a medical liaison is and the different certification programs available for MSLs, you can make a more informed decision on what route is best for you. ACMA received IACET accreditation, whose processes helped us build a rigorous curriculum. I guess you can argue that. But a MSL position is not right for everyone. Hello, can you please tell me if you took the certification and did it help you? Wow, those are pretty serious allegations to put out there. I view them as a way to develop and solidify already gained experience. 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? Our MSL professional development and training solutions are based on real-world experience from professionals with world class MSL experience. Expanded Access 4.0 Registration Now Open! The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. ), 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). The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) graduates are the pharma industry's thought leaders. 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. Hi I just signed up for the course too. 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. And some of the more seasoned industry veterans have found so much value in the BCMAS program, that theyre championing it within their companies. I took both exams. A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. 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. 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. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. As I've stated before, I have read Dyer's book and found it helpful 3 years ago when breaking in. 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. CompTIA A+ is widely considered one of the go-to certificates for a well-rounded entry-level introduction to IT. and improve on what I already know regarding Medical Affairs. Currently the only accredited board certification for MSLs worldwide. If this blows up in the next few years, consider us striking gold to get this certification first. Naturally certain aspects may be less applicable to the unique role of a professional or a company. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. For more information and recent students testimonials, click here. Medical Director of Astellas Pharma Philippines. They feel that having the board certification attached to their names gives them a leg up in both hiring and career development. Topics include: As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, Have you talked to anyone in this field about this exam and employment chances? 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. Myth: It is a credential that resonates because of its association with board certified physicians. All Rights Reserved. healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. Individual career development paths is discussed specific to each credential and how board certification is impacting organizations on a macro level. The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. Seems like you are jumping the gun a bit. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. Getting the BCMAS Certification was definitely a major step in my career improve the quality of pharmaceutical 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. The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc..) which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. Cost-benefit comparison As seen in Figure 1, MSL Society's program costs $450-$550, the BCMAS program costs $1,999, and the IFAPP program costs $8,600-$9,600. Therefore, the chances of failing the exam are higher. 7+ Year Member. Listen Now! MSLs have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a 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. Either way you will be watched and recorded while sitting for the test. Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. ", Lubna El-Najjar Medical Affairs Career? 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. Thats not their only reason for getting a BCMAS certification, however. 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. The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a specific role within a function called medical affairs. Regardless of which team of Medical Affairs one resides in, I believe awareness of the whole discipline can lead to higher levels of contribution. A business opportunity with a 50/50 chance of succeeding. medical affairs professionals. But the trend has unmistakably been a steady increase in moving the BCMAS toward the industry standard. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 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. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). Medical Liaisons help to ensure that products are utilized appropriately. About the MSL-BC. Would anyone that has completed the program recommended it? Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. The BCMAS certification is internationally recognized, and achieving the BCMAS . 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. I work for the ACMA social media staff and was made aware of these threads on reddit. 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. No existing program, to my knowledge, covers the spectrum of Medical Affairs and related topics like ACMAs 20 learning modules. Medical Affairs as a discipline is accountable to varied deliverables. The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc. being easy to digest. 1. Requirements for renewing your BCMAS certification: The BCMAS credential is valid for five (5) years. JavaScript is disabled. 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. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. 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). That positive relationship can now be yours in your pharmaceutical medical affairs career. They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. This two part series endeavors to compare both certifications equipping professionals to make that decision for themselves. Such a great foundation for someone new to pharma. I hope this article was useful to help you choose which MSL certification is right for you. MSL-BC requires this be accomplished every 3 years while BCMAS has an every 5 year requirement. 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. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, it's worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. In regard to the value they deliver to our field however, the fees are within acceptable budget for training and development, and far less than what one may pay to participate in other Medical Affairs industry programs. Joined May 7, 2015 Messages . 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. Google Cloud - Cloud Digital Leader. Records indicate that UpJohn Pharmaceuticals was the first company to coin the term MSL in 1967. healthcare providers (HCPs). I am recommending it for my colleagues as well. They do have a chat function but Ive noticed oftentimes its not available every day and at off hours which makes it tough to get answers to important questions. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Medical affairs is a growing component of Anyone working in medical affairs understands that its a highly specialized area. 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. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material . MSLs may serve as scientific peers and resources within the medical community, and are scientific experts to internal colleagues at companies. Thanks, I appreciate the up-to-date info! Your credential enables career advancement and improves MSL and medical affairs professionals' overall contribution to the lives of patients whom their valued expertise ultimately impacts. Current professionals working within clinical research organizations (CROs). BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community. Please select your appropriate region below to learn more about becoming certified today! Does it give you an advantage when applying? Certainly time well spent! Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). Jbrl Full Member. They constantly blast promotions about this certification and how important it will be without much substantiation. 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. They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. Grantors always consider if the PI has the experience and resources to get the job done. I would recommend it. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Director, Head of Medical Affairs, Astellas. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification, Handbook of Distance Education: Second Edition, Rich Dad Poor Dad What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money, Medical Writing: A Guide for Clinicians, Educators, and Researchers, Is An Mba Worth It For A Salesforce Career, Are Consulting Fees Subject To Self Employment Tax, What Career Can You Get With International Relations, What Happens If You Unlearn A Profession Maplestory, Is Teaching A Good Profession In Australia, How To Start An Employment Agency From Home In India, How To Authorize A New Career College In Texas, How Have Computers Changed The Him Profession, 5 From the Fastest-Growing Remote Career Groups, Does Employment Security Ofice Have My Job History, How To Hide Job Search From Employer On Linkedin, Responsibility disclaimer and privacy policy. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. Background Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Professionals come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Hi Not sure if you saw this recent PR release: I'm connected on social media with the founders of the org. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. I recently completed and passed. 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. 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. Every 5 years you are required to maintain your certification. You are using an out of date browser. some would be new. What do you guys/gals think? Cookie Notice But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. After completing my first postdoc, I was unemployed for over 6 months. 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. Take the first steps toward achieving the gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry. Please contact us for more information, or view the scholarships information page. The BCMAS helped me to tie together my story as a candidate.. During this same search you will find a handful of over achievers who have added the MSL-BC to their already certified BCMAS. It also sets the stage for continual professional development through values centered on lifelong . Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for 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. A risk that I (imho) think might be worth taking. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. BCMAS Graduates From Over 200 Companies Certify Your Team Payment Options One-Time Payment Application Fee $49 BCMAS Online Course $1000 Credentialing Fee $150 Examination Fee $800 TOTAL $1999 ACMA Easy Pay (3 Month) Monthly Payment $716.33 / Mo Monthly Installments 3 TOTAL $2149 PayPal CREDIT Financing 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. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. I have a clinical To be fair, I will gladly prepare and sit for the MSL-BC if the MSLS would like a follow up article after the fact please contact me. which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. All Rights Reserved. But the BCMAS credential has a unique appeal for medical affairs executives, many of whom dont have a formal medical doctorate. BCMAS offers you more than just the certification exam by including in-depth learning modules, a practice question bank, case studies, and more. The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification. These officials will discuss the importance of establishing certification and credentialing standards for medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. It is also the first board certification for MSLs. Everyone approaches the board certification process for different reasons. orgAccreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMASThe ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionalsmedicalaffairsspecialist. What constitutes a board certification designation? Need of the hour. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And going from a medical Thank you! Both are serving a purpose for their intended audience. Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. 20 modules to prepare you for the Board Examination, Practice Question Bank to help prepare you for the BCMAS exam, Assistance with connections to MSL & Medical Affairs Recruiters, ACMA Easy Pay 3 Month-Installment Option (This gives you the option of splitting the payments over 3 months which is great especially for folks starting out and looking for financial flexibility. Its the benchmark of excellence for Medical Affairs in the industry for over 5+ years. They provided quizzes and a practice exam which really helped me prepare Loved it! Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. Speaking for myself, I can already tell a shift in mentality towards clinical development and regulatory affairs following the BCMAS modules. As a result the BCMAS program has several international variations each containing region specific information. Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. The ACMA has Live 24/7 Chat support feature. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). 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. and the functions which you have worked before, you may find some modules more familiar and healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. #msl #boardcertification #bcmas #mslbc #medicalaffairs #msls #acma. Will that get you a job? Should that be suspected, let me know. Expanded Access to Advanced Cell Therapies. After some controversy, The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. Perfect time to get board certified. 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. Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. There is really only one waythrough feedback. According to individuals who have gone through the curriculum and earned their BCMAS, the program meets all of those goals. Several Advisory board meetings held with Medical Affairs leaders and subject matter experts. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Join us for the largest annual conference on pre-market access to medicines. It is meant to establish uniform standards for a profession that we advocate for (namely MSLs/med affairs professionals). 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. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams).