About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. 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. Currently the only accredited board certification for MSLs worldwide. In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. I wanted to work in medical affairs as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the pharmaceutical Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3cb49ddf8da07e17af6d699a0ebe2fc" );document.getElementById("ae49f29f56").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). Dr. Hughes achieved the Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) certification from ACMA in May of 2021 and believes that it will open new doors and provide her with more in-depth industry training that is needed to excel in the medical affairs career path. JavaScript is disabled. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). 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. Current professionals working within clinical research organizations (CROs). Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an accredited college, university or institution. 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. Therefore, the chances of failing the exam are higher. They want to exhibit their dedication to the task with something tangible. It also customizes BCMAS exams to reflect different regions around the world so BCMAS is a great option for global MSL teams wanting to certify. Videory can be a good size for data scientists; enough other data scientists are around to provide mentorship and support, but the team is still small enough that you can get to know everyone. accredited college, university or institution. Many of the comments here are false and misleading. That positive relationship can now be yours in your pharmaceutical medical affairs career. 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 biggest standout feature is the exam structure. Hi I just signed up for the course too. taking the board exam. Our training programs can be customized to meet your companys specific needs (disease state, clinical, and soft skills training). About the MSL-BC. One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. Its a comprehensive, self-paced online, on demand certification program built by industry leaders and subject matter experts. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Yes. 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. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) graduates are the pharma industry's thought leaders. Industry professionals provide a review of the BCMAS program. Each of the certifications require you to complete CE and/or retest every few years to keep the board certification current. Medical Affairs Career? BCMAS is relevant for MSLs as well as other functions within Medical Affairs. healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders Highlights the ongoing positive growth and evolution of the industry and how medical affairs contributes importantly to this. With this credential, your organization substantiates its commitment to quality care and improved patient outcomes. ), 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). industry professionals, I strongly encourage all But the BCMAS credential has a unique appeal for medical affairs executives, many of whom dont have a formal medical doctorate. In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. 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. ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. With the growing number of professionals and one of the most varied entry experience requisites of any career field all funneling into a single job description it was certain that the time would come that a board certification would be needed. This two part series endeavors to compare both certifications equipping professionals to make that decision for themselves. you didnt think were possible.. I have nothing against the guy but I don't trust his company. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. industry. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. 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. some would be new. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. And some of the more seasoned industry veterans have found so much value in the BCMAS program, that theyre championing it within their companies. The average medical science liaisons salary is $136,000. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. A risk that I (imho) think might be worth taking. Some are looking to add to their personal understanding of medical affairs role in the life sciences industry. Topics include: Maximize your MSL teams emotional intelligence and how to use it to build relationships. No existing program, to my knowledge, covers the spectrum of Medical Affairs and related topics like ACMAs 20 learning modules. and be BCMAS.. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist and transition from retail pharmacy to the pharmaceutical industry. MSLs can participate in any stage of a products lifecycle, but typically are hired as a company prepares for launch. orgAccreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMASThe ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionalsmedicalaffairsspecialist. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. MSL-BC requires this be accomplished every 3 years while BCMAS has an every 5 year requirement. Pharmacology lecturer for University of the Philippines, and a clinician with expertise on Hypertension and primary care, Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist | Matuto pa tungkol sa karanasan sa trabaho, edukasyon, mga koneksyon, at higit pa ni Raymond Oliva, MD, FPCP, BCMAS sa pamamagitan ng pagpunta sa kanyang profile sa LinkedIn New Data From Trials of Evolocumab, Olpasiran Show Promise for Cardiovascular Disease Care, Pharmacy Focus: Public Health Matters - Motivational Interviewing, Avadel Seeks FDA Approval for Sodium Oxybate to Treat Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Independent Rx Forum - Preparing for DIR Fee Changes, COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Found to Protect Infants Against Infection, Hospital Admission, Study: Remote Dietary Intervention May Reduce Chronic Fatigue for Lymphoma Survivors. It has left me, a medical science liaison of less than two years, feeling more confident and equipped. I literally knew nothing about how to be an MSL when you got me. Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. Medical affairs is a growing component of A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. It is a credential that resonates because of its association with board certified physicians. Never allow a serious crisis go to waste. So said former Mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of 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. Now in virtual format. ", Lubna El-Najjar I have a clinical In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. Privacy Policy. 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). This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. 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. Such a great foundation for someone new to pharma. Expanded Access 4.0 Registration Now Open! 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. 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. science liaison to senior leader, you need something extra. This is rather controversial around here. What constitutes a board certification designation? ), 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 certification offered is not meant to train people, it isn't meant to help them "break in." I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid. so though I expand my career. None of the posting mention it in required or preferred qualifications. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, It is also the first board certification for MSLs. Therefore, the chances of failing the exam are higher. 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. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training / American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). I learned so much last night from the free courses with a certificate to-show-at-the-end offered by NIH office of clinical research too. 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. But a MSL position is not right for everyone. It is meant to establish uniform standards for a profession that we advocate for (namely MSLs/med affairs professionals). ACMA works with experts around the world to develop country- and region-specific content within the BCMAS curriculum using advanced geo-redirect technology features. Post title says it all. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete 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. I got the weekly newsletters from ACMA and got curious. The truth is, I had a pretty cushy academic experience. I took both exams. Required fields are marked *. 10. I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid.. so though I expand my career. Google Cloud - Cloud Digital Leader. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. As a result the BCMAS program has several international variations each containing region specific information. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 1. 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. 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. According to individuals who have gone through the curriculum and earned their BCMAS, the program meets all of those goals. Emanuel clarified his point: Its an opportunity to do things that you had never considered, or that By looking at the job postings it seems this certification is meaningless. hit or miss. 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. A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. I work for the ACMA social media staff and was made aware of these threads on reddit. If you are planning to join Medical Affairs, 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA diagnostic company that is focused on data generation and data dissemination to Your email address will not be published. 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. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. If this blows up in the next few years, consider us striking gold to get this certification first. Is this certification respected and recognized? Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. A final note, I am not affiliated nor a member of either the MSLS or ACMA Society at this time but would consider either a great choice. The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a specific role within a function called medical affairs. More and more medical affairs professionals sign up to undergo the certification process each month. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. While the exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). Experienced pharmaceutical professional with a track record of high performance across diversified therapy areas in trade and tender markets in the UAE Holding a Master's Degree in Clinical Pharmacy from Ajman University of Science and Technology and working towards medical affairs board certification (BCMAS) #cardiology #endocrinology #anaesthesia #neuroscience #psychiatry #urology # . After completing my first postdoc, I was unemployed for over 6 months. Very good article! Online, proctored by a webcam. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Just perform a quick search for BCMAS on LinkedIn and the results will show the numerous industry professionals using the BCMAS credential in their titles. 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). Anecdotally, BCMAS graduates have noticed more momentum in their recruiting activities. With the addition of the BCMAS to my LinkedIn profile and resume, it attracted recruiters to me for medical science liaison roles. Medical affairs is the division within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or Sitting quietly for hours at a time was at complete odds with my personality. MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts 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. . ) The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). 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. Congrats on passing the exam and getting certified. The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. These days, landing an MSL role isnt easy. The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community. Being board certified in any healthcare related career has proven to be impactful. Background Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Professionals come from a wide variety of backgrounds. For more information, please see our 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? I very much agree that awareness of the discipline as a whole (of medical affairs) leads to higher levels of contribution. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, it's worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. The ACMA offers a flexible payment plan where you can pay in 3 easy installments of This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. 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. The ACMA is building further awareness of the important contributions that medical science liaisons make in advancing the science which ultimately improves the quality of life of patients.