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. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program - $1999.99 Medical Terminology & Abbreviations - $99.99 Basic Principles in Pharmacology - $99.99 + + Buy all together : $ 2199.97 The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program - $1999.99 Medical Terminology & Abbreviations - $99.99 Is this certification respected and recognized? ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the But you can clearly see on our website, our position. Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Topics include: Maximize your MSL teams emotional intelligence and how to use it to build relationships. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program was developed by industry experts, clinicians, researchers, and online learning specialists. To better understand the overall value of each program it is important to examine what each program provides. No existing program, to my knowledge, covers the spectrum of Medical Affairs and related topics like ACMAs 20 learning modules. orgAccreditation Council for Medical AffairsBe in the Know with ACMAs in the news and newsworthy shares. Shouldn't you get your Pharm-D first, before you get "BCMAS" certified? Our training programs can be customized to meet your companys specific needs (disease state, clinical, and soft skills training). 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. I took both exams. So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. Loved it! 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. What Happened to Expanded Access to New Medicines. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. JavaScript is disabled. The ACMA has an important mission BCMAS can help improve the quality of pharmaceutical In fact, I completed my PhD in a little over 4 years. More important than setting themselves apart from other job seekers or attaching the BCMAS letters to the ends of their names, graduates of the ACMAs program want to demonstrate their commitment to medical affairs. The National Electrical Manufacturing Association, or NEMA, enclosure standards denote where whole-house surge protectors can be installed. 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. 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. BCMAS Certification Associated preparation for each exam varies greatly. ACMA and The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) have different board certification credentials and the question becomes which is the right one for each MSL. 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. I had the opportunity to While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. Medical Science Liaison, Neurology Western Canada. How far have you gotten? If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is quickly becoming the industry standard for medical affairs professionals to attain. 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. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. Awesome article! One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. Wow, those are pretty serious allegations to put out there. Absolutely agree Eric! The exam has a 3 hour time limit. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Landing an MSL role isnt easy. BPharm, MPH, MBA, BCMAS I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid.. so though I expand my career. They want to exhibit their dedication to the task with something tangible. Individual career development paths is discussed specific to each credential and how board certification is impacting organizations on a macro level. 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). I have a clinical Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. All Right Reserved. It's always a challenge to transition from academia to industry. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. healthcare providers (HCPs). We are going to break down the pros and cons of each. We connect MSLs to the global medical affairs community, and give them the tools and resources they need to advance in their medical science liaison career paths. The BCMAS seal means your medical affairs & MSL team has been rigorously evaluated by the leading . SALARY Inc! Its a comprehensive, self-paced online, on demand certification program built by industry leaders and subject matter experts. 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. MD, MBEE, BCMAS you didnt think were possible.. Very good article! For more information and recent students testimonials, click here. Board Certification Medical Affairs (BCMAS), The Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Prior Authorization Certified Specialist Program (PACS), The ACMA was invited to Congress. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. 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. Required fields are marked *. BCMAS allows up to 3 hours for their four-section exam which includes multiple . orgAccreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMASThe ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionalsmedicalaffairsspecialist. Thanks for sharing Jill! #msl #boardcertification #bcmas #mslbc #medicalaffairs #msls #acma. 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. Content is always updated to reflect new business practices, technologies, market challenges and regulatory changes. Home Blog Articles Becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs (BCMAS): The new standard in Pharma. 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. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. Hi-- I am planning to take it as well. See previous posts: https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cfurwp/is_a_bcmas_a_good_idea_if_you_have_no_previous/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/diiyry/is_the_bcmas_worth_it/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cnlgqp/how_many_of_you_are_board_certified_by_acma_is/. Copyright 2022 - BDJobsToday.org. healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. ), 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). * Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Physician & Licensed Medical Esthetician with extensive network of KOLs in aesthetics, dermatology, plastic surgery, facial plastics ent, oculoplastics . But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? A business opportunity with a 50/50 chance of succeeding. About the MSL-BC. 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). Additionally, we use PayPal, so you can always use PayPal credit if you qualify. The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. It can help you break into a medical affairs role in big pharma or even accelerate your career advancement. CEO, A2A Pharmaceuticals, "BCMAS Review was excellent. One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. Currently the only accredited board certification for MSLs worldwide. The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. I view them as a way to develop and solidify already gained experience. When comparing both certifications directly a stark contrast can be seen. life sciences & healthcare industries. Does it give you an advantage when applying? And those with pharmacy doctorates sometimes feel that while a PharmD credential shows off ones scientific research chops, its not specific enough to medical affairs to demonstrate the industry knowledge necessary or the ability to excel within a pharmaceutical or medical device company. The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Privacy Policy. 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. There is really only one waythrough feedback. 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. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. I have been authorized to respond as ACMA. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. 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. 7+ Year Member. Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. 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. They provided quizzes and a practice exam which really helped me prepare I applied to a lot of industry positions in the past and never got an interview. Every 5 years you are required to maintain your certification. Certifications and Ratings . Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. 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) graduates are the pharma industry's thought leaders. This is very interesting to me. Post title says it all. These days, landing an MSL role isnt easy. This article is meant to help you make that decision. And as that trend continues, medical affairs professionals throughout the life sciences industry will no doubt be better prepared, more confident and, most importantly, more knowledgeable as they approach their roles. 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. However, I do notice quite a few MSLs with that certification. Expanded Access 4.0 Registration Now Open! 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. within the medical community and serve as liaisons between HCPs and their company. Medical affairs departments throughout the industry have thousands of executives with medical or pharmacy doctorate degrees, along with their associated credentials. 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. Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. However, the primary purpose of the MSL role is to build peer-peer relationships with leading HCPs, referred to as External Experts (EEs) at major academic centers of excellence around the world. I have worked in medical affairs for 3 years and I still felt like I learned a lot. This two-part article provides a good summary on the ACMA and MSLS programs. MSL-BC requires this be accomplished every 3 years while BCMAS has an every 5 year requirement. They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts I'm leaning towards the former. Certain aspects I am not familiar with, such as which program came first or whether the organizations are non profit. BCMAS helped me have everything in place and helped me expand my knowledge base beyond the product knowledge. It is also the first board certification for MSLs. It is also the first board certification for MSLs. ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. Online board certification program meant for medical science liaisons (MSL), medical directors, medical affairs professionals, medical/drug information, HEOR, pharmacovigilance, etc.. Includes 20 preparatory modules, case studies, and practice questions to help you best prepare for the board exam. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are a number of ways you can achieve the same goals (learning what each dept does, scouting opps, boosting credentials, getting the interview) without spending nearly as much money and that are far more useful. Requirements for renewing your BCMAS certification: The BCMAS credential is valid for five (5) years. The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Hi I just signed up for the course too. The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. 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. 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. 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. As more medical affairs executives undergo the certification program, theyre seeing the value in it and recommending it to their peers. Industry professionals provide a review of the BCMAS program. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. The BCMAS program is packed with information about each role within medical affairs, all while I heard it is becoming the industry standard. Take the first steps toward achieving the gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry. More and more medical affairs professionals sign up to undergo the certification process each month. Everything including the exam fee is ~$1000. Furthermore, if having an accredited organization confer an MSL certification matters to you, then ACMA is the way to go. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But how can one get all this info? Jbrl Full Member. Listen to BCMAS graduates share their stories! 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. Medical Affairs as a discipline is accountable to varied deliverables. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. 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). If youre looking to only be an MSL, MSL-BC might be more suitable. 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. 1. The preparatory modules allowed me to learn new things To be successful at this, you must always maintain diplomacy, self-discipline, and integrity. The truth is, I had a pretty cushy academic experience. Should that be suspected, let me know. A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. What do you guys/gals think? 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. 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 biggest standout feature is the exam structure. A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. It also sets the stage for continual professional development through values centered on lifelong . This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. Your email address will not be published. What do the study materials cost? Yeah, I'm sure they'll legitimately take your money and give you some extra letters after your name. I strongly encourage all Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) . 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. . ) Any insight will be greatly appreciated. Medical Director of Astellas Pharma Philippines. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark).