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Why You Need to Know About CAAHEP
Do you refer to your accredited Paramedic program as CoAEMSP accredited? If you answer 'yes' to this question, you are incorrect! Why? Because the CoAEMSP operates under the auspices of CAAHEP; CAAHEP is the ONLY accreditor of Paramedic programs.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is a programmatic post-secondary accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and carries out its accrediting activities in cooperation with 21 review committees (Committees on Accreditation). CAAHEP currently accredits over 2100 entry level education programs in 26 health science professions.
CAAHEP, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, was formed in 1994. Its predecessor organization was the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA). CAHEA was part of the American Medical Association (AMA).
CAAHEP is comprised of both a Commission and a Board of Directors. The Commission is composed of representatives appointed to represent the organizations that belong to CAAHEP as well as certain other "communities of interest." These Commissioners are responsible for approving the bylaws, mission, and vision statements of CAAHEP, as well as determining which health sciences professions are to be recognized by CAAHEP.
The CAAHEP Board of Directors is composed of 16 members, who are elected by and from among the Commissioners. The Board is the accrediting body of CAAHEP that awards or denies accreditation after review of accreditation recommendations made by the Committees on Accreditation. It is also the primary governing body that oversees the business of CAAHEP and implements the mission and vision as adopted by the Commission.
Quality - that is the mission of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Quality is what CAAHEP is all about. As each individual program is reviewed, CAAHEP stays focused on each profession's Standards and quality outcomes to assure that every CAAHEP accredited program is preparing students to be successful as they enter their chosen health care field.
CAAHEP currently accredits programs in the following professions: Anesthesiologist Assistant; Cardiovascular Technologist; Cytotechnologist; Diagnostic Medical Sonographer; Emergency Medical Services Personnel; Exercise Physiologist (Clinical & Applied); Exercise Science Professional; Kinesiotherapist; Medical Assistant; Medical Illustrator; Neurodiagnostic Technologist; Orthotist and Prosthetist; Perfusionist; Personal Fitness Trainer; Polysomnographic Technologist; Recreational Therapist; Specialist in Blood Banking Technology; Surgical Assistant; and, Surgical Technologist. CAAHEP is working toward accrediting programs in the following professions: Advanced Cardiovascular Sonographer; Anesthesia Technologist; Art Therapy; Assistive Technology Professionals; Clinical Research Professional; Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring; Lactation Consultant; Medical Scribe Specialists; and Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician.
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