Awesome article! 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. Listen to BCMAS graduates share their stories! I'm leaning towards the former. You are using an out of date browser. This two-part article provides a good summary on the ACMA and MSLS programs. BCMAS was worth it! BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community. With increased scrutiny on pharmaceutical industry practices, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies are validating the knowledge of their field teams in medical affairs and sales is imperative. One thing that really stood out was that these industry professionals include Vice Presidents of Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officers, Medical Science Liaisons and other industry professionals. 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. 1. With this credential, your organization substantiates its commitment to quality care and improved patient outcomes. Doing the job well requires diverse set of competencies that develop over time, often with use of industry trainings that focus on individual topics, such as advisory panels or medical communication. 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. How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring Additionally, we use PayPal, so you can always use PayPal credit if you qualify. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). and the functions which you have worked before, you may find some modules more familiar and Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. medical affairs professionals. And while some Americans are waiting in line to get their COVID-19 vaccine, others are cautious due to doubts about the rapid vaccine development process and questions that have plagued the FDA about whether clinical data from pharmaceutical companies are being reviewed thoroughly. Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are typically trained PhD professionals, physicians, or pharmacists. 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. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for MSLs need to keep their ears to the ground and listening to Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and their needs, which can drive clinical development strategies. The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. And often, medical affairs executives get so engrossed in their day to day activities that its challenging to gain a deep understanding of how other departments and functions operate, let alone train another colleague on these functions. This button displays the currently selected search type. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. However, you never know where your career will take you down the road and if you think that one day you might want to expand from an MSL to a medical director, medical affairs vice president, medical information or other areas in pharma, then having BCMAS is the way to go. doctorate degree (Ph.D., PharmD., M.D.). Achieving the highly respected Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Accreditation from ACMA provides this proof. Records indicate that UpJohn Pharmaceuticals was the first company to coin the term MSL in 1967. 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. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. 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. 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. 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. Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful comments. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Such a great foundation for someone new to pharma. However, I do notice quite a few MSLs with that certification. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. In a nutshell, this program gave me an in-depth perspective on the dynamic role a medical science liaison plays in scientific exchange and data generation. You were very easy and very fun to mentor! The ACMA welcomes all points of view but we believe it's important to separate fact from fiction. Achieving the BCMAS demonstrates the highest standards of knowledge and excellence in the Medical Affairs profession. 20 modules to prepare you for the Board Examination, Practice Question Bank to help prepare you for the BCMAS exam, Assistance with connections to MSL & Medical Affairs Recruiters, ACMA Easy Pay 3 Month-Installment Option (This gives you the option of splitting the payments over 3 months which is great especially for folks starting out and looking for financial flexibility. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. However, that is no longer debatable as two companies have found a way to make this board certification possible, testing examinees on everything but the science. Beyond internal training within their companies, medical affairs executives simply dont have structured options for learning how the different functions within the life science industry interact with each other. you didnt think were possible.. Both are serving a purpose for their intended audience. 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. Medical Science Liaison, Neurology Western Canada. Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. $700. 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. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification. ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. 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. and our in our pharmacy industry. I'll be curious to read this carefully when I have a moment. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is quickly becoming the industry standard for medical affairs professionals to attain. The MSL-BC includes only the certification exam and the onus is on the learner to try and find material to help them prep for the exam. Yeah, I'm sure they'll legitimately take your money and give you some extra letters after your name. Thank you! So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. The preparatory modules allowed me to learn new things It is also the first board certification for MSLs. Recertification Option 2 : Retaking and passing the board exam With a curriculum that includes best practices across the organization, the ACMAs aim is to reinforce an integrated, cross-functional approach to medical affairs that makes medical affairs to be viewed as a true partner by other departments. Medical Affairs Manager, Upjohn-Pfizer. Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. Expanded Access to Advanced Cell Therapies. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). These days, landing an MSL role isnt easy. **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. Regardless of where you are in your MSL career, obtaining an MSL certification can help advance your MSL career and distinguish you among other MSL candidates when applying for a new MSL job or getting that promotion from MSL to MSL Manager or MSL Director. It may not display this or other websites correctly. During this same search you will find a handful of over achievers who have added the MSL-BC to their already certified BCMAS. Format- 100% Online, Self-Paced, Audio Time Needed to Complete - 40 hours Exam Required- Yes (online) No existing program, to my knowledge, covers the spectrum of Medical Affairs and related topics like ACMAs 20 learning modules. Post title says it all. The 3 Month (100 Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http://www.medicalaffairsspecialist-affairs-specialist-program/exam-information/, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/director-of-medical-affairs-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm, https://pharmacy.temple.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/qara-non-thesis-ms, http://shp.rutgers.edu/dept/biopharma/certificates/, The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program (BCMAS) comes to Rutgers University providing a new path forward for scientific and clinical professionals looking to work within the pharmaceutical industry, Opinion on regulatory affairs vs. medical affairs, Regulatory Affairs or Medical Information, All resources are student and donor supported. 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. SALARY Inc! The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). Expanded Access 4.0 Registration Now Open! I strongly encourage all The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. 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. Many pharmaceutical industry futurists believe that certification and credentialing via the BCMAS program will be the norm in years to come as regulators push for higher standards of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, which has received negative attention due to the opioid crisis and other debacles in years past. 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. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. MSLs may serve as scientific peers and resources within the medical community, and are scientific experts to internal colleagues at companies. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Does it give you an advantage when applying? I took both exams. 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. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. Curious to know if the BCMAS is worth pursuing? sciences industry, cross-functionality within life science companies and the regulatory and ethical requirements of medical science liaisons. Congrats on passing the exam and getting certified. While MSLs are not sales representatives, they ARE proactive educators. 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. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. The BCMAS program will expand your knowledge and advance your medical science liaison career. To be fair, I will gladly prepare and sit for the MSL-BC if the MSLS would like a follow up article after the fact please contact me. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. Medical Affairs Career? This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. Need of the hour. for the exam. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). I will update this community should that change. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS). Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. For more information, please see our This number is inclusive regardless of the name du jour from an individual company to include: Regional Scientific Director, Clinical Liaison, Thought Leader Liaison, Field Medical Director etc. Hi. 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. But how can one get all this info? 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. How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring 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. * Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Physician & Licensed Medical Esthetician with extensive network of KOLs in aesthetics, dermatology, plastic surgery, facial plastics ent, oculoplastics . ACMA launched their accredited board certification program over 3 years ago; those who pass will garnish the BCMAS credential or are deemed Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialists. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. Yes, we have more time on our hands right now! I thought it was interesting considering an acquaintance of mine (a former-MSL now in a non-field MedAffairs role) mentioned he didn't know anyone that cared for that certification. Landing an MSL role isnt easy. But does that mean anything? The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). It also sets the stage for continual professional development through values centered on lifelong . ), 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). Hi-- I am planning to take it as well. 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. I very much agree that awareness of the discipline as a whole (of medical affairs) leads to higher levels of contribution. Nonquantifiables can be extremely important in business terms, but as hinted in the previous section, senior managers tend to focus on the money; often they are less interested in the nonquantifiables. The BCMAS program is a globally recognized board certification in over 40 countries. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. One thing that really stood out was that these industry professionals include Vice Presidents of Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officers, Medical Science Liaisons and other industry professionals. Everyone approaches the board certification process for different reasons. You did the heavy lifting by being awesome :-). But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The BCMAS helped me to tie together my story as a candidate.. MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The ACMA offers a flexible payment plan where you can pay in 3 easy installments of *If you do not have a terminal degree (i. e. PhD, etc. I look forward to your thoughts if you have a chance to read it as well. There are a number of ways you can achieve the same goals (learning what each dept does, scouting opps, boosting credentials, getting the interview) without spending nearly as much money and that are far more useful. ), but are still interested in being more informed and getting an edge on career advancement in Medical Affairs, the ACMA also offers a competency certificate (MACC) that includes the six topics starred * above. 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. Medical Liaisons help to ensure that products are utilized appropriately. Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. *A note from the author: I penned these articles while waiting for my exam results from BCMAS. Being board certified in any healthcare related career has proven to be impactful. So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. The MSL-BC credential is still very new, and it remains to be seen how widely adopted it becomes. ACMA works with experts around the world to develop country- and region-specific content within the BCMAS curriculum using advanced geo-redirect technology features. BCMAS helped me have everything in place and helped me expand my knowledge base beyond the product knowledge. in our pharmacy industry. The path to becoming an exceptional Medical Science Liaison or Medical Affairs professional starts with BCMAS. I am also not associated with any organization, but upon doing my research Dyer's organization seems a bit screechy to me. As the medical science liaison role continues to grow and evolve, the ACMA remains at the forefront for providing resources to help MSLs increase knowledge. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 20 modules to prepare you for the Board Examination, Practice Question Bank to help prepare you for the BCMAS exam, Assistance with connections to MSL & Medical Affairs Recruiters, ACMA Easy Pay 3 Month-Installment Option (This gives you the option of splitting the payments over 3 months which is great especially for folks starting out and looking for financial flexibility. Board Certification Medical Affairs (BCMAS), The Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Prior Authorization Certified Specialist Program (PACS), The ACMA was invited to Congress. Developed by industry experts and considered the industry standard by most for MSL certification. As I've stated before, I have read Dyer's book and found it helpful 3 years ago when breaking in. Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. Also, in case there is any concern about MSLS or ACMA influencing how this community is run, rest assured I have no affiliation with either. I believe it in. Addressing everything in one place can help establish a solid foundation, build confidence and competence for individuals and teams. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. Industry professionals provide a review of the BCMAS program. Copyright 2020 Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. How Pharma Industry Leader Suzanne Soliman, PharmD, BCMAS Advocates For Female Pharmacists, medical affairs vs medical science liaison, Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification: A Comprehensive Review, Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS): A Review by Paul Korner, MD, How to Seize New Pharmacy Opportunity in the Pharma Industry, Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. However, after careful investigation it appears the BCMAS is the only accredited board certification while MSL-BC does not appear to be accredited though nearly 2 dozen respected leaders in medical affairs were apart of the credentialing examination collaboration process (if you are attached to the organization and have more complete information please dont hesitate to reach out for a correction as this specific point was hard to ascertain). Every 5 years you are required to maintain your 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. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. Individual career development paths is discussed specific to each credential and how board certification is impacting organizations on a macro level. But, how do you go about getting certified? A quick search of Linked In will show a splattering of the newly developed MSL-BC professionals while a similar inquiry will find a larger number of those with the BCMAS credential many of whom are in more leadership medical affairs positions (the larger number no doubt due to the fact that BCMAS is for all of MA not specifically MSLs and has been around for an extended period of time comparatively). The ACMA provides training and certification programs for the pharmaceutical & healthcare industries. Director, Head of Medical Affairs, Astellas. BCMAS is now on audio The #1 MSL & Medical Affairs Board Certification Program The Official Medical Science Liaison (MSLs) & Medical Affairs Board Certification- The only recognized program by regulators. is grabbing the attention of politicians and policymakers. BCMAS is the first and only accredited program, as well as the longest standing MSL/Medical Affairs Certification program in the industry. Just talked to some of my colleagues in regulatory affairs who are anywhere from SM to SVP in their respective companies, mostly Temple (. 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. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, The BCMAS program connects you to the clinical knowledge real-world experience, and leadership skills needed to be successful within the pharmaceutical industry's clinical medical affairs / MSL space. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Current professionals working within clinical research organizations (CROs). Any insight will be greatly appreciated. This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. Others seek to differentiate themselves from their peers. 10. However, the primary purpose of the MSL role is to build peer-peer relationships with leading HCPs, referred to as External Experts (EEs) at major academic centers of excellence around the world. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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). Accreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMAS medicalaffairsspecialist. Medical Affairs as a discipline is accountable to varied deliverables. 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 Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. Content is always updated to reflect new business practices, technologies, market challenges and regulatory changes. Anyone working in medical affairs understands that its a highly specialized area. taking the board exam. and be BCMAS.. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist and transition from retail pharmacy to the pharmaceutical industry. The certification is a relatively new one, having launched in 2021. To better understand the overall value of each program it is important to examine what each program provides. Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). Do you need prior experience before taking this? Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. And this has proven to be valuable to many who are now board certified thanks to the ACMA. industry. Hi. ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives Google Cloud - Cloud Digital Leader. These cookies do not store any personal information. Responsibility disclaimer and privacy policy | Site Map. This is rather controversial around here. For more information and recent students testimonials, click here. I agree with you but don't you think that the topics they cover could at least give you some knowledge about the field which could potentially help in getting your foot in the door? A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. You do not need prior industry experience but you do need to have a pharmd/phd/md/do etc. One credentialing note of differentiation here: there is an amount of verbal diarrhea when it comes to whos the first this or which company has the only that, and both credentialing bodies claim to be the worlds first and/or only fill in the blank. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. Topics include: Maximize your MSL teams emotional intelligence and how to use it to build relationships. I have been authorized to respond as ACMA. ), 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). I had the opportunity to After completing my first postdoc, I was unemployed for over 6 months. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Seems like a way to graft $ from you. I hope this article was useful to help you choose which MSL certification is right for you. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an accredited college, university or institution.