PARCA seeks stronger international presence
PACS Administrators Registry and Certification Association (PARCA) has expanded internationally, and will continue to certify and test for both the clinical and technical aspects of medical informatics at multiple knowledge levels.
To further its international goals, the Dallas-based PARCA said it will become a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation with an international board of directors on Jan 1, 2009.
PARCA said its action resulted partly from the inability to reach a merger agreement with the American Board of Imaging and Informatics (ABII), which administers the Certified Imaging Informatics Professionals (CIIP) program.
Under proposed terms, if a merger took place hundreds of PARCA certified healthcare professionals would not have their certification recognized. PARCA acknowledged that medical informatics is not a U.S.-centric profession in the healthcare community and that there must be an international certifying body allowing mobility for the professional group.
There are a significant number of inquiries from healthcare IT professionals outside the United States, who desire to become a PARCA member, signing up for its certification exams, and/or are interested in working with PARCA to adapt its requirements to their local needs and practices, according to Suzanne Hunter. PARCA and CIIP both have addressed different needs for certifying health imaging and IT professionals, Hunter said.
To further its international goals, the Dallas-based PARCA said it will become a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation with an international board of directors on Jan 1, 2009.
PARCA said its action resulted partly from the inability to reach a merger agreement with the American Board of Imaging and Informatics (ABII), which administers the Certified Imaging Informatics Professionals (CIIP) program.
Under proposed terms, if a merger took place hundreds of PARCA certified healthcare professionals would not have their certification recognized. PARCA acknowledged that medical informatics is not a U.S.-centric profession in the healthcare community and that there must be an international certifying body allowing mobility for the professional group.
There are a significant number of inquiries from healthcare IT professionals outside the United States, who desire to become a PARCA member, signing up for its certification exams, and/or are interested in working with PARCA to adapt its requirements to their local needs and practices, according to Suzanne Hunter. PARCA and CIIP both have addressed different needs for certifying health imaging and IT professionals, Hunter said.