Workers’ Comp Certification (CWcHP)

The National Certification Examination For Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Providers: An Evidence-Based Approach (CWcHP)

About the Exam

The purpose of this certification (CWcHP – Certified Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Provider) is to establish a standard of knowledge and care for Healthcare Professionals treating patients on workers’ compensation programs. This certification is designed to help Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Professionals stand out from others in their field by acknowledging their accomplishments and expertise in regard to rehabilitating injured workers. The CWcHP certification is available in both a USA version and a Canadian version. This certification is the FIRST and ONLY of its kind, and serves as an added layer of credibility for professionals seeking patients on workers’ compensation. Professionals whom pass the National Certification Examination for Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Providers: An Evidence-Based Approach can proudly place the initials CWcHP after their name, signifying that they are certified to provide services at the highest professional level.

The National Certification Examination for Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Providers: An Evidence-Based Approach (CWcHP) was created by the International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) in May 2010 after nearly two years of research, testing and development. This unique certification fills a need in healthcare today that has previously not been addressed. The expertise and knowledge base of professionals whom care for the needs of patients on workers’ compensation is too critical to leave in the hands of professionals who have not demonstrated the highest credentials to provide such care. Legal and third party payer groups are increasingly demanding professional competency with this patient population. The need for this new credential arose out of this demand for professionals to display the highest credentials possible to work with these patients.

It has always been the mission of the International Sports Professionals Association – ISPA to insure that professionals whom deliver services to clients adhere to the highest standards of care, and have the highest level of credentialing. Since workers’ compensation clients typically return to work that involves vigorous ‘sports-like’ skills and activities, it is a natural extension of ISPA’s already established procedures of assessment to credential CWcHP professionals.

With the aide of one of the nation’s leading physical therapy organizations, the ISPA was able to compile the necessary research and address the most important issues and information regarding the rehabilitation of injured workers.

For more details, please visit the National Certification Examination for Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Providers: An Evidence-Based Approach website at:
www.WorkCompCertification.com

Who is eligible to take the CWcHP

Certified Athletic Trainers*
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists

*Please note, some states prohibit Athletic Trainers from treating workers compensation cases. Check with your state guidelines to make sure you are in compliance.

For more information visit the CWcHP web site at: www.workcompcertification.com.

Preparation

The National Certification Examination for Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Providers: An Evidence-Based Approach is a 100 question multiple-choice examination administered online. Candidates have 1.5 hours to complete the exam. All candidates are provided a copy of the CWcHP Subject Study Guide upon registration. This guide covers all relevant information as tested on the examination, including all research and resources. Investigating the suggested resources listed in the study guide is strongly encouraged. All candidates are also granted access to the CWcHP Video Lecture Series, to be used with the CWcHP Subject Study Guide to further supplement the preparation process. The normal preparation time for the certification examination is approximately 15-20 hours. Here is a brief sample of the topics covered in the CWcHP Exam:

Rehabilitation of Common Work-Related Injuries (Identification, Methods, etc…)
Recovery times for Specific Injuries
Benefits, Duration, Structure, Documentation and Legal Ramifications of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Transitional Work Programs
Elements of Patient/Client Management
Work Hardening/Conditioning Programs
Job Simulation and Analysis
Preventative Techniques
Importance of Evidence-Based Practices
Risk Evaluation
Specific Rehabilitation Terminology
Employability
Vocational Rehabilitation
Financial Liability
Types of Losses
Scope and Implications of Recommendations
Insurance Costs
Privacy Rule
Legal Rights of Employers vs. Employees
Employer’s Scope of Involvement in Claims
Employer Costs
Importance of Reliable Testing
Employee Education (Benefits, Suggestions, etc…)
History of Workers’ Compensation

Sample Question:
As a Rehabilitation Therapist, when rehabilitating an injured worker, it is within the scope of your duties to make recommendations to the patient regarding human resource issues, worker’s compensation law, and other relevant laws.
A: True
B: False
(Answer is at bottom of page)

CWcHP Core Benefits

Recognizes your expertise in rehabilitating injured workers
Increases visibility among employers and insurance providers because of the certification’s coverage of employer-based knowledge and emphasis on returning injured workers to the workplace in a timely manner
Is the new standard for healthcare providers rehabilitating injured workers
Proven to increase Case Manager referrals
Is the new standard for healthcare providers rehabilitating the ‘Industrial Athlete’
Added layer of credibility as a professional rehabilitating injured workers
Certification as a CWcHP provider may have third-party payment, legal, and best practices advantages.

Click below to read about the CWcHP in Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners:
http://occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com/News/Daily-News-Watch/Should-You-Take-the-CWcHP-Exam.aspx

What others are saying

“Having the CWcHP credential has aided me in my recent career advancement at my clinic….I really believe that by going out of my way to obtain specialization and higher certification played a significant role in my promotion.”
K. Meehan, PT, DPT
“I was impressed by the balance of questions and topics related to workers comp; for example: questions about job analysis, work comp laws, scheduled loss, WCP, PT evaluations/ rehab terms, FCE components, work comp documentation, prevention of work comp injuries and disability definitions.”
T. Smith, ATC, LAT
“The CWcHP gets more in depth on aspects of workers’ compensation than anything I have seen before.”
A. Brossett, MOTR, CRC
“I think this certification examination covers a wide variety of knowledge that is crucial in rehabilitating workers and touches upon issues encountered on a daily basis in the work comp environment.”
J. Chisholm, PT

Process for taking the exam

Purchase examination from the ISPA Store
Once your purchase is complete, you will receive an e-mail with a code to access the exam, the Subject Study Guide, and Video Lecture Series.
Take the examination. You may begin the examination at any time after purchase. You will have 1.5 hours to complete the examination after beginning.
After you have completed the examination, the ISPA will review your results and notify you of your score via USPS mail within 14 days.
Upon Successful completion of the CWcHP exam you will receive a certificate recognizing your certification. Your certification will be good for five (5) years from the date listed on the certificate itself.
If you do not pass the examination, you are able to retake the exam three times per year. Please note: you will have to pay the full examination price each time you retake.
If you have any other questions please to not hesitate to contact us at (312) 920-9522 or info@theISPA.org

Answer to sample question=B