|
This is the eighth in a series of occasional ASHA Executive Director Updates. Many thanks to those of you who have provided feedback regarding the previous updates or suggestions for future ED updates.
This update focuses on the ASHA Certification Administration Unit.
ASHA has been certifying individuals in audiology and speech-language pathology for over 50 years. While awarding certification is the purview of the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC), the administrative work in support of awarding certification to over 6,500 individuals each year is carried out by the Certification Administration Unit.
The Certification Administration Unit staff is made up of
- 8 Certification Case Managers (two part-time)
- A certification Assistant
- Manager of the Certification Maintenance Program (Carol Williams)
- Director of the Certification Administration Unit (Georgia McMann)
Applications for certification are distributed to Case Managers depending on the first initial of the applicants' last name. Case Managers are responsible for assisting the applicant throughout the certification process and, inherent in this process, are in close contact with individuals in process. They also are responsible for:
- processing requests for verification letters, status of files, copies of applications and CF materials and application forms;
- Life Membership Processing
- changes in category of ASHA affiliation, and
- maintenance of documents submitted by individuals applying for certification
The Certification Administration team works to assure dissemination of accurate and timely certification related information and management of certification-related content on ASHA's Web site.
Staff responds to over 10,000 questions annually from currently and formerly certified individuals, from students, faculty members and program directors and also from parents whose children are considering the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.
Although the length of time to become certified varies depending on when someone applies and the complexity of the application, average processing time, once all documents have been correctly submitted, is two weeks. Certification staff work closely with ASHA's Action Center, ASHA's Accounts Receivable, and with NSSLHA staff.
The Certification Assistant is responsible for processing all requests for Certification Verification letters.
Certification Maintenance, which started for audiologists in 2003 and for speech-language pathologists as of this year, is being implemented on a staggered basis for all individuals holding ASHA certification.
The Manager of the Certification Maintenance program is responsible for
- developing and implementing the program, compliance forms, etc.
- working with the CFCC in addressing questions and concerns of certificate holders, and providing educational materials and seminars for all interested parties.
Certification staff are available by phone Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) or via email at certification@asha.org. To learn more about the staff in the Certification Administration Unit, please visit our staff page on the ASHA website.
National Office Staff Update
The following individuals are new to the ASHA staff:
- Dominica Groom – Administrative Assistant, Executive Service cluster
- Stephen Harrup – Director, Customer Service Cluster
- Silvia Quevedo – Manager of Academic Affairs
- Betty Somerville – Assoc. Director, Continuing Education Customer Accounts
Several staff have relocated or left ASHA for other opportunities:
- Myesha Carter – Administrative Assistant, NSSLHA
- Glen Engel-Cox – Community and Intranet Manager
- Larae Taylor – Administrative Assistant, Office of Multicultural Affairs and Continuing Education
- Cherie Tilghman – Manager, Continuing Education Provider Records
Service Recognition Awards
The following staff celebrated milestones in their ASHA careers and were recognized at an all staff meeting on March 16, 2005.
5 Years
Tobi Frymark – Associate Director, National Center for Evidence Based Practice
David Gammel – Director, Web and Knowledge Strategy
Natasha Hanesworth – Action Center Specialist
Jenny Harper – Product Sales Agent
Michelle Mannebach - Director, GRPP Administration and Communications
Cathy Petrella – Manager, CE Registry
Stephanie Reeves – Director, Political Advocacy
Neil Snyder – Director, Federal Advocacy
Ginny Traylor – CE New Media Development Manager
Carol Williams, Certification Maintenance Program Manager
10 Years
Ted Barksdale – Certification Customer Representative
Catherine Clarke – Director, Education and Regulatory Advocacy
Mary Harding – Director, Exhibit Sales and Operations
Swee Khaw – Manager, Financial Reporting
Michelle McLean – Director, Association Governance Operations
Marat Moore – Co-Managing Editor, ASHA Leader
Ildemara Rueda – Shipping/Mailing Clerk
Buddy Tuason – Staff Accountant
15 Years
Linda D'Aloisio - Director, AACEIU Administration and Communications
Kencaid Davis – Shipping/Mailing Clerk
Mike Duncan – Network Desktop Application Analyst
Janet McNichol – Director, Human Resources Division
Sue Riojas – Payroll Analyst
20 Years
Joanne Jessen – Director of Publications
Kate Evans-Knoblock – Application Development Manager
25 Years
Charlie Diggs – Director, State and Consumer Advocacy
Next Executive Director Update: The Ethics Unit
Feedback please!!! Please let me know if such information is of interest to you and what other topics or information you'd like to see included in future Executive Director Updates.
|