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Monday,(December(15,(2014(at(7:49:36(AM(Eastern(Standard(Time
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Subject: eNewsle&er(from(the(Board(of(IBLCE
Date: Monday,(December(15,(2014(at(7:47:22(AM(Eastern(Standard(Time
From: InternaGonal(Office((sent(by(InternaGonal(Board(of(LactaGon(Consultant(Examiners
To: Kelley(Pederson
International eNewsletterfrom the Board of Directors
Volume 3, Issue 3December 2014
In This IssueIBCLC ProgramReaccredited by
NCCA
IBLCE LanguagePolicy
Information OnUpcoming
ExaminationApplication
Season
CertficantSpotlight
Board Transitions
News & Notes
Meeting with DC& VA
BreastfeedingCoalitions
IBLCE's Strategic
IBCLC Certification ProgramReaccredited by the NCCA!
The International Board of Lactation ConsultantExaminers®(IBLCE®) is pleased to announce that the NationalCommission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) of the Institute ofCredentialing Excellence (ICE) recently reaccredited IBLCE'sInternational Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®)certification program! The NCCA Standards for the Accreditationof Certification Programs are recognized worldwide as the firstaccreditation standards in the certification industry and theIBCLC program has been continuously accredited by the NCCAsince 1988. IBLCE Chair Tomoko Seo, M.D, IBCLC ofAichi, Japan stated, "This is excellent newsfor IBLCE and indeed for all IBCLCs. TheIBCLC program was one of the very firstcertification programs to earn theprestigious NCCA accreditation and it is atremendous accomplishment to hold thisaccreditation for 26 consecutive years."During the objective third-party review
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Plan Updated
New Dates forIBCLC Care Award
IBLCE BoardDirector Profile
More FAQs on CBT
ProfessionalCertificationBoards vs.
ProfessionalAssociations
Pleaseremember thatif your contact
informationchanges,
including emailaddress, it is
yourprofessional
responsibility toinform IBLCE.
Thank you forrememberingthat we can'tkeep in touchwith you if youdon't keep intouch with us!
Contact IBLCEwith your newinformation!
Quiz ResultIs In!
Q: Lastenewsletter'squestion was: Howmany people aretaking the IBCLCexamination in2014?
During the objective third-party reviewprocess of NCCA reaccreditation, numerous aspects of theIBCLC certification program are examined and evaluated againstthe twenty-one rigorous NCCA Standards including: the structureand governance of IBLCE; the development, administration,validity and scoring of the IBCLC certification examination; theinformation available to applicants, certificants, and the public;and recertification requirements designed to evaluate continuedcompetence on the part of IBCLCs. Reaccreditation by NCCAdemonstrates that IBLCE is committed to self-examination,external periodic review against recognised certification industrystandards and continuous improvement to maintain the quality ofthe IBCLC certification program.
IBLCE Adopts Policy on the Translationof the IBCLC Examination
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners is aninternational organisation and is committed to making theexpertise of IBCLCs available around the globe. The intent of thispolicy is to foster the successful establishment of the IBCLCcredential when considering the translation of the examinationinto a new language.
The translation process requires intensive human and financialresources. IBLCE will consider translating the examination into anew language when the following items have been submitted andthese criteria have been met:
A description of the reasoning behind the request, includinginformation on the breastfeeding environment in the area(s)to be served by the new exam translation;
Documentation of a minimum number of 10 current IBCLCswho are fluent in the language requested;
Documentation of the availability to the language group ofpre-examination educational materials, courses andinstruction;
Documentation of a plan for continuing education;
The number of candidates who are working towardscompletion of exam eligibility;
An application, including payment, submitted by a minimumof 20 candidates at least 18 months prior to the desireddate of the exam;
In order to sit the exam, candidates must complete alleligibility requirements by the exam application deadline.
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D. Approximately4,000 in 54countries Check out thenext IBLCEenewsletter forthe answer to thisquiz of thequarter!
Quiz of theQuarter
From what countryor countries dothe newest IBCLCshail? A. Bangladesh B. Uganda C. Mexico D. Albania E. B & D Check out thenext IBLCEenewsletter forthe answer to thisquiz of thequarter!
Connectwith IBLCEon Social
Media
Questions? Contact the Regional Office serving your country. Tosubmit a request for a translation of the examination, includingrequired materials outlined above, write to the IBLCEInternational Office at [email protected] or at IBLCEInternational Office, 6402 Arlington Blvd., Suite 350, FallsChurch, VA USA 22042.
Information on 2015 ExaminationApplication Season
IBLCE is pleased to announce that the application system for the2015 examination opened in December rather than in January asit was in recent past years. Visit the IBLCE website for details.
As previously shared in IBLCE communications, IBLCE derivesits worldwide fee schedule from the purchasing power parity(PPP) metric. These calculations are established by variousinternational organisations, including the World Bank and theInternational Monetary Fund. The PPP is used in setting theIBLCE annual fee schedule. Unlike the national Gross DomesticProduct (GDP), the PPP actually reflects differences in cost ofliving in different countries and the inflation rates in thosecountries. IBLCE sets its fee schedule on an annual basis so asto reflect not only changes in fluctuating exchange rates but alsoto reflect changes in the PPP as adjusted by the World Bank andInternational Monetary Fund, typically on an annual basis.
Certificant SpotlightIBCLCs work around the globe in a variety of practice settings inlactation care. This feature of the eNewsletter and IBLCE website
highlights IBCLCs and the important work they perform formothers, babies and families. Read about certificants around the
world and why they value the IBCLC credential!
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Serena Debonnet, IBCLC, a midwife in Brussels, Belgiumwanted to know more about breastfeeding so in 2004she participated in a lactation educational program while at thesame time breastfeeding her own twenty-month-old daughter.After taking the course, Serena was one of the first group ofpeople in Belgium to sit for the IBCLC examination. One yearlater, in 2005, Serena became the national coordinator of theBaby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and subsequentlyorganized a number of national breastfeeding conferencesfeaturing internationally renowned speakers. Since then, Serena has served as Vice President of theEuropean Lactation Consultants Alliance (ELACTA) and currentlyserves as Vice President of the Belgium Lactation ConsultantsAssociation (BVL).
Serena, who just recertified at ten years, pursued the IBCLCcredential to both assess and validate her professionalexperience and saw the value in earning a prestigiousinternational credential in lactation. Serena finds the IBCLCinvaluable in her role as a BFHI coordinator working withhospitals throughout Belgium as well as in her own work withmothers and babies.
Board of Directors' Transitions
IBLCE is pleased to announce the election of two new membersto the IBLCE Board of Directors, Norma Escobar, IBCLC, RLCand Clifton Jamil Kenon, Jr., DNP, MSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC and
bids farewell to a valued former Board member Rebecca "Becky"Mannel, IBCLC, RLC.
Originally from Mexico City, NormaEscobar originally trained as an Englishas a Second Language Instructor. Aftermoving to the United States and havingchildren, she found her passion in helpingbreastfeeding mothers. Norma has beenworking with breastfeeding women since1994 as a Leader with La Leche League,where she served in a multitude of roles.She became an International BoardCertified Lactation Consultant in 2002.She currently serves as the BreastfeedingCoordinator and Breastfeeding PeerCounselor Manager for the New Hanover
County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in NorthCarolina as well as the Perinatal Region V WIC BreastfeedingCoordinator.Norma is the proud mother of two grown sons without whom she
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Norma is the proud mother of two grown sons without whom shewould have never discovered the joys and challenges ofbreastfeeding.
Clifton Kenon, Jr., earned hisMaster's Degree in Nursing from theUniversity of North Carolina atCharlotte as well as a Doctorate ofNursing Practice from ChathamUniversity of Pittsburgh. He is currentlypursuing a second doctoral degree atthe University of Tennessee. A dedicated lactation consultant andavid breastfeeding supporter, Cliftonled the first hospitals within the Indian
Health Service to become Baby Friendly, as well as the first andonly hospitals within the state of North and South Dakota.Additionally, he created the first national nurse residency programto train nurses to work in resource constrained rural settings, andwrote the National Indian Health Service BreastfeedingProtection guidelines. For Clifton's leadership in the area of breastfeeding, he wasrecognized by Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative, and wasinvited to speak at the White House in 2012. He has beenrecognized by the Surgeon General of the United States andreceived the 2011 Lucille Woodville Award in honor of hiscontributions to the health of women and newborns in the UnitedStates. In 2013, he took home the top national award at IHS, theReyes Award, making him the first nurse and the youngestperson ever to receive this honor. He was the Award ofExcellence in Practice Recipient from the Association ofWomen's Health Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses in 2014. Clifton currently serves as a Senior Research Advisor in theOffice of Population and Reproductive Health at the UnitedStates Agency for International Development, where hecontinues to work on breastfeeding, fertility awareness basedfamily planning, and postpartum family planning. In addition to his job, Clifton continues to help mothers andfamilies as a labor and delivery nurse and lactation consultant.Prior to USAID he served as the Director of Maternal and ChildHealth in the Great Plains Area of the IHS. In that position, he
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worked throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, andNebraska serving the needs of American Indian and AlaskaNative women. He has worked as labor and delivery nurse,mother baby nurse and lactation consultant at both the Universityof Virginia Hospital, and Duke University Medical Center.
IBLCE recognizes with great thanks andappreciation the outstanding leadershipand dedication of outgoing Boardmember Rebecca Mannel. During hertenure Becky served as both Chair andTreasurer and helped to guide IBLCEthrough a period of tremendoustransition. She will be greatly missed.
News & Notes
IBLCE, including the Board of Directors and staff, do much morethan administer the International Board Certified LactationConsultant (IBCLC) examination and are pleased to share
information about the many initiatives in which IBLCE is involved.
Joan Meek, formerly IBLCE's primary representative to theUnited States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) recently waselected by the USBC membership to the role of Chair-Elect.Congratulations to Joan on this great honor! In light of Joan'selection, the IBLCE Board voted to transition Rebecca Mannel tothe primary representative and Immediate Past Board ChairRachelle Lessen was elected by the IBLCE Board as the newalternate representative to the USBC. IBLCE Board member Dale Hansson served as Program Chairfor the Liquid Gold Conference organized by the AustralianBreastfeeding Association in a celebration of its 50th birthday.Asia Pacific & Africa (APA) Regional Director Karolyn Vaughanand team exhibited at the August conference held in Melbourne,discussing the value and benefit of IBCLC certification.The conference included over 1,300 delegates included ABAcounsellors, members, mothers, midwives, doctors,psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and allied healthprofessionals. IBLCE First Impression Specialist Nia Morris and RecertificationCoordinator Sarah Stallard exhibited at the Fifth NationalBreastfeeding Coalitions Conference held August 2-4, 2014, inArlington, Virginia. Every other year, USBC brings togetherbreastfeeding coalition leaders from every U.S. state andterritory. The goals and objectives of these conferences includedissemination of information on current evidence-based bestpractices, strategy planning, and coalition building andstrengthening. The title of this year's conference was:
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"Transforming Barriers into Bridges: Cultivate Your CommunityLeadership".
IBLCE First Impression Specialist Nia Morris with Surgeon General BorisD. Lushniak M.D., M.P.H.
IBLCE Regional Director Karolyn Vaughan highlighted thebenefits of the IBCLC with attendees at the Australian Collegeof Midwives Queensland annual conference September 24 &25, 2014, Gold Coast, Australia. Over 300 midwives and studentmidwives from all over Australia and New Zealand attended theconference.
Board Member Dr. Andreja Teckauc Golob and European andMiddle East (EUME) Regional Director Ilse Bichler representedIBLCE at the fifth Academy of Breastfeeding MedicineEuropean Regional Meeting for Physicians in Bucharest,Romania. The two-day conference, organised in cooperation withAsociatia ProMAMA and Dr. Marta Muresan, IBCLC, included 70participants from 20 countries including IBLCE CountryCoordinators for Turkey, Estonia and Romania. IBLCE exhibited at the American Academy of FamilyPhysicians' Assembly in Washington, DC from October 23-25,2014. The AAFP Assembly is called "the family medicine event ofthe year" in the US with over 4,000 family physicians inattendance. International Director of Certification Pam Weber and teampromoted the IBCLC at the American Academy of Nursing
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Conference, October 16-18 2014, in Washington, DC. TheAmerican Academy of Nursing's annual policy conferenceidentifies ways nurses are transforming health and building abetter care delivery system. This conference showcases theextraordinary work nurses are undertaking to drive policychanges that meet the health needs of individuals andpopulations. This year's theme, "Transforming Health: DrivingPolicy" highlighted nursing initiatives that are transforming health,leading change, and influencing policy and ultimately improvingthe healthcare in the US. IBLCE also had a presence at the Inaugural Conference for theAustralasian Society for Tongue and Lip Ties which was heldOctober 23-24, 2014, in Gold Coast Queensland. There wereover 250 delegates plus 250 online delegates frommultidisciplinary backgrounds, including midwives, IBCLCs,pediatricians, dentists, dental therapists, speech pathologists,nurses and occupational therapists. The inaugural generalmeeting was also held to formalise the bylaws of the organisationand future direction. IBLCE exhibited at the 5th International Conference onMaternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture held November 5-7,2014 on the University of Western Sydney Parramatta Campus inNew South Wales, Australia. The conference includedapproximately 300 delegates mostly from midwifery, nursing,child and family health as well as general practitioners. IBLCE endorsed the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action(WABA) Statement to the Second International Conferenceon Nutrition (ICN2) held November 19-21, 2014 in Rome, Italy.The WABA Statement to ICN2 asserted that Protection,Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding is "a human right, and isa vital component of any concrete response that governmentsand relevant UN agencies intend to take in tackling the criticalproblems facing countries on nutrition." In August, IBLCE leadership specifically applauded the U.S.Center for Disease Control and Prevention's use of theBreastfeeding Report Card as an invaluable tool to monitor theprogress of the important work that is being done on many levelsto support breastfeeding mothers and families. At the same time,IBLCE recommended that the Report Card be enhanced byproviding more comprehensive descriptions of the variousbreastfeeding credentials so that consumers receive theinformation they need to make truly informed choices about theirhealthcare options. Specifically, IBLCE emphasized the rigorassociated with the International Board Certified LactationConsultant which currently mandates extensive health scienceseducation, extensive direct clinical experience working withmothers and babies and a professional certification examination.IBLCE also recommended that the CDC Report Card includeinformation about others who support breastfeeding including theWomen's, Infants and Children (WIC) Peer Counselors. IBLCE
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applauded the reporting by the CDC on La Leche League leadersbut noted that there are not always LLL leaders in underservedcommunities which have the lowest breastfeeding rates. IBLCErecommended providing the aforementioned additionalinformation in the CDC Report Card to help bridge gaps inresources, decrease disparities and allow for informedpolicymaking and consumer choices. IBLCE Executive Director Sara Blair Lake has been elected acommissioner to the National Commission For CertifyingAgencies, the autonomous accrediting body of the Institute ForCredentialing Excellence. She was elected for a three-year termto this important organization within the certification field.
IBLCE Board Meets with DCBreastfeeding Coalition and Virginia
Breastfeeding Task Force
During a recent Board meeting in the Greater DC area, theIBLCE Board of Directors and senior staff enjoyed meeting withthe DC Breastfeeding Coalition and the Virginia BreastfeedingTask Force. The groups discussed issues of common interestand concern and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know oneanother better.
Representatives from the DC Breastfeeding Coalition and VirginiaBreastfeeding Task Force enjoy dinner with the IBCLC Board &
senior staff.
The DC Breastfeeding Coalition was pleased to share many of itscurrent initiatives, including receipt of a grant entitled, "Creating aBaby-Friendly District of Columbia", funded by the Government ofthe District of Columbia, Department of Health, as well as itswork on the currently in production Breastfeeding ResourceGuide, Fifth Edition and its 10th Anniversary CelebrationLuncheon at the 2014 Regional Breastfeeding FriendlyHealthcare Provider and Workplace Awards.
IBLCE appreciated the opportunity to network with these twoamazing groups doing so much to promote breastfeeding as thecultural norm!
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cultural norm!
IBLCE's Strategic Plan UpdatedWith input from stakeholders around the world, IBLCE crafted anew strategic plan in 2012 and published it in 2013.
The foundation of the plan included Vision and MissionStatements accompanied by Values and Beliefs.
IBLCE also set four key goals in the plan, and pursuant to eachgoal, IBLCE defined main objectives, or the primary focus ofeach goal for 2013.
In reviewing and updating the plan for 2014-15, IBLCE retainedthe first two goals, refined the third and having enjoyed a greatdeal of success with respect to the final goal, established a newfourth goal.
Goal 1: "To administer the premier, international, rigorous,relevant, comprehensive, standardized, certification programmethat promotes high quality lactation and breastfeeding care" isimportant and remains an ongoing goal. With respect to theunderlying objective, IBLCE continues work on "streamlining andincreasing the relevancy of the eligibility, application, examinationand certification maintenance processes" yet focused this andestablished a new objective "Explore developments and currentbest practices in certification and recertification." This objective istimely in light of the work of the practice analysis (role delineationstudy). Pursuant to best practices, IBLCE is examining theIBCLC certification programme in light of the findings of thepractice analysis study as well as latest developments andcurrent practices in certification and recertification.
Goal 2: "To promote the IBCLC certification as the most valuedand effective certification in lactation and breastfeeding care"remains an ongoing goal, yet the underlying objective has beensharpened from simply awareness of the evidence supporting theeffectiveness of the IBLCE certification and IBCLC certificants, to"Communicate the relevance and effectiveness of the IBLCEcertification, examination and IBCLC certificants." This objectiveis a focal point of IBLCE work in the coming year.
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Goal 3: "To improve access to the certification by clearlycommunicating exam eligibility requirements". Progress has beenmade yet more work remains to be done in this regard.Therefore, IBLCE is determined that an even broader goal,incorporating this original goal, was appropriate. Goal 3 nowseeks "To improve access to the certification by broadeningoutreach." The specific underlying objective is now to "Increasethe number of IBLCE programs and communications to facilitatediversification." IBLCE is working in the coming year to meet thisambitious and critically important objective.
Goal 4: "To disseminate to stakeholders up-to-datecommunications proactively and in a timely and appropriatemanner," with an associated objective of "Increase the frequencyof updates on IBLCE programs, direction and strategies." Withthe introduction of a periodic enewsletter, a greatly enhancedsocial media presence including communications through avariety of platforms, a fair bit of success has been achieved,therefore IBLCE revamped the goal as simply "To enhancecustomer service." This is an area of improvement for IBLCE andyou may have recently noticed links to a customer service surveyin the signature lines of operations team members. Thank you fortaking the time to provide your feedback. With such constructivefeedback, IBLCE seeks to enhance your customer serviceexperience. Additionally, in the New Year, please look for acomprehensive customer service survey going out to IBCLCs.We thank you in advance for taking the time to respond to thesurvey so that we at IBLCE can improve your customer service.
New underlying objectives to this customer service goal includean increased emphasis on timely translation of materials. Overthe last few years, IBLCE has increased its core offices' linguisticcapabilities (in addition to service provided by CountryCoordinators) from English and German to now also includeFrench and Spanish. IBLCE will be placing an increasingemphasis on this important area in the coming year.
If you would like to learn more, please visit the Strategic Plansection of the IBLCE website.
New Dates For IBCLC Care Award!
You know the IBCLC Care Award is a greatway to distinguish your hospital orcommunity-based health agency. It makesyour facility more attractive to potentialclients, aids in recruitment of staff devotedto lactation support and promotes good willby helping new families reach theirbreastfeeding goals.
But did you know that there are new deadlines for the Care
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Award in 2015? Effective 2015, applications for BOTH thehospital-based and community-based awards will be acceptedfrom Monday, January 12, 2015 through Friday, February 20,2015. Results will be announced April 30, 2015.
Before heading into the holiday season, mark your calendar nowfor this new deadline. Want more information? Visit the IBCLCCare Award website at www.ibclccare.org
IBLCE Board Director Profile As an ongoing feature, the IBLCE eNewsletter features an
IBLCE Board member and includes information about the focusof the Board member's work on behalf of the IBLCE certificant
community and the public.
Esmé Nel Hough
Esmé has been an active La Leche Leagueleader since 1986 and she obtained herIBCLC certification in 2002. She completedher Bachelor's degree in Commerce at theUniversity of South Africa, shortly beforethe birth of her fourth child in 1991. Esmé's passion for supportingbreastfeeding mothers and babies grew outof the experience of breastfeeding her fourchildren, as well as a result of the mother-to-mother support she had offered in herarea.
Esmé has served La Leche League in various capacitiesincluding Editor for the International Division's newsletter,Coordinator of Leader Accreditation, and Area ProfessionalLiaison of LLL South Africa. Esme has served on the IBLCE Finance and Marketingcommittees and recently was elected Treasurer. When not working with IBLCE, together with her husband, Attie,she runs the Honnehokke Resort in Hondeklipbaai (DogstoneBay), a small, remote village on the South African West Coast.She enjoys cycling, fishing, reading, knitting, travelling andgardening (a huge challenge in the semi-desert area in which shelives).
More Frequently Asked Questions AboutComputer-Based Testing (CBT)
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IBLCE has administered the IBCLC examination via CBT for thepast four years. First offered in 2011 as a pilot to approximately500 test candidates, in 2014, approximately 83% of IBCLC testcandidates took the examination in this format. IBLCE surveyresults indicate that most candidates prefer this format yet anymajor change brings questions. IBLCE has posted responses tomany of your questions, and updates the list as it hears from you. Below are a few updates: Q. Why do I have to remove my jewelry or hat prior to takingthe examination?
Security is a key consideration when administering anyprofessional certification examination. The integrity of anyprofessional credential is maintained by a number of processesand procedures, with security one of the paramountconsiderations. It is critically important that the public rely onprofessionals who have met all requirements and have fairlyearned the certification. Also of importance is the fact thatexperts estimate that each examination item typically costs inexcess of $1,000 to produce when factoring in professional feessuch as psychometric fees, subject matter experts' (SME) andstaff time, as well as meeting expenses associated with thegeneration of items. In order to remain the premier certification inlactation, it is imperative that IBLCE maintain the integrity of theIBCLC.
Q. My colleague who is located in the same geographic areatook the examination via paper and pencil. However, I tookthe examination via CBT. Why the difference?
IBLCE works with the computer-based testing (CBT) vendor withthe largest geographic footprint in the world, Pearson VUE.However, there are a limited number of CBT seats in certain partsof the world. Primarily to increase consumer satisfaction, but alsoto maximize the number of existing seats, IBLCE is moving to atwice per year administration schedule in 2016. Additionally, thisshift to twice per year, from July (the busiest testing month) toApril and October, will also help to facilitate the seating of IBCLCexamination candidates. However, where there are a limitednumber of CBT seats, IBLCE must set up paper & penciladministration sites.The plan is to reduce the number ofsuch paper and pencil sites to the extent feasible over time.
Q. I think I would like a breastfeeding break during theexamination. How do I facilitate a break?
Please let IBLCE know you would like a breastfeeding break onyour application and supply your accompanying documentationas soon as possible. Earlier lead time allows IBLCE to workeffectively with the third-party testing vendor to facilitate acomfortable breastfeeding break experience for you, the IBCLCtest taker.
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test taker.
Professional Certification Boards vs.Professional Associations
A common question is "What is the difference between aprofessional certification board and a professional association?'Both are important organizations but they are very different andlargely serve different purposes.
A professional certification board such as IBLCE certifiespractitioners in a given field. The certification body setsprerequisites and maintenance of certification standards basedon the findings of a practice analysis, works withpsychometricians and subject matter experts to develop arelevant and meaningful professional certification examinationand provides verification to consumers, employers, otherprofessionals and indeed the public as a whole that a givenindividual has met certain defined standards. It works to promotethe credential and yet, at the same time, much of its work isfocused directly on the development of the professionalcertification examination and related prerequisites andcertification maintenance requirements.
A professional association is an organization which seeks tofurther a particular profession, and the interests of individualsengaged in that profession as well as the greater public. Anassociation is a synergistic group. Its importance lies in the factthat the effect of a collection of people is greater than just oneperson. The saying that "there is strength in numbers" typifies theability of a professional organization to advance the interests ofits members. Professional associations support its members byproviding opportunities for continuing education, communicatingabout issues that may impact their practice or pay, and promotingthe profession.
Professional associations may offer a variety of benefits and theirfocus may be geopolitical in nature. For example, theInternational Lactation Consultants Association offers a trulyinternational conference and publishes the highly regardedJournal of Human Lactation, a quarterly peer-reviewed journalpublishing original research and literature relevant to lactationprofessionals, researchers and others around the globe. Otherprofessional associations are focused on a particular region orcountry. For example, ELACTA is the umbrella organisation ofEuropean professional associations devoted to the lactationconsultant profession. ELACTA offers both country-specific andregional networking opportunities. LCANZ, or the LactationConsultants of Australia and New Zealand, offers similaropportunities for professionals in those countries. The UnitedStates Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA) providessupport and promotes the IBCLC in the United States byengaging in advocacy and also by providing networkingopportunities and US-specific resources.
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While IBLCE is not a professional association, IBLCE recognizesthe important role played by professional associations and invitesyou to explore the opportunities available to you throughprofessional associations.
Professional associations are usually member organizations,relying on member dues for the funds needed to carry out themission and vision of the organization. Your participation in aprofessional association gives you a voice in areas that matter toyou, and provides the financial resources needed to advocate onyour behalf. Become part of the synergy and help yourprofessional organizations help you by joining today!
- The Board & Staff of IBLCE
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