Take the first steps toward achieving the gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry. 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. What do you guys/gals think? Everything including the exam fee is ~$1000. 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. I took both exams. 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. Medical Science Liaison, Neurology Western Canada. MSLs help facilitate research and educate residents/fellows and much more. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). 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. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. Every 5 years you are required to maintain your certification. It is designed to assist in the professional development of every MSL. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. 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. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is quickly becoming the industry standard for medical affairs professionals to attain. A yearly membership to ACMA is approximately 2/3 the cost of MSLS ($200 vs. $290), but the outward appearance is that MSLS is a more active society and the membership includes the newly published digital MSL Journal. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. I got the weekly newsletters from ACMA and got curious. Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. CompTIA A+. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. 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. BCMAS Certification Associated preparation for each exam varies greatly. The BCMAS certification is internationally recognized, and achieving the BCMAS . I strongly encourage all Therefore, the chances of failing the exam are higher. 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. Due to the newness of the certification, there are very few people that have the MSL-BC credential, therefore, it is not well recognized yet. Given the requirement facing most CPAs that they complete an average of 40 hours of continuing professional education per year, combined with the flexibility inherent in technologybased training delivery, multimedia continuing professional education courses would seem to hold a definite allure for CPAs. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, The BCMAS seal means your medical affairs & MSL team has been rigorously evaluated by the leading . Thank you . While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. 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. Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. These cookies do not store any personal information. Loved it! A risk that I (imho) think might be worth taking. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. 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. Are the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) and the board-certified medical affairs specialist (BCMAS) certification legitimate and desired by medical affairs hirers in industry, or is it a scam set up by the Apotheker Group and William and Suzanne Soliman. Director, Head of Medical Affairs, Astellas. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. I work for the ACMA social media staff and was made aware of these threads on reddit. BCMAS offers you more than just the certification exam by including in-depth learning modules, a practice question bank, case studies, and more. BCMAS helped me have everything in place and helped me expand my knowledge base beyond the product knowledge. I have a clinical This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. 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. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community. Your credential enables career advancement and improves MSL and medical affairs professionals' overall contribution to the lives of patients whom their valued expertise ultimately impacts. At this time, its difficult to tell how recognized the MSL-BC mark will become in the future and whether it will stand the test of time. I applied to a lot of industry positions in the past and never got an interview. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). hit or miss. ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. for the exam. in our pharmacy industry. Please contact us for more information, or view the scholarships information page. 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 # . They provided quizzes and a practice exam which really helped me prepare It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. by Michael Grahame Moore, William G. Anderson. The ACMA has an important mission BCMAS can help improve the quality of pharmaceutical which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. 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In keeping with this year's emphasis on cloud services, this certification enters this list with a promise to earn its qualifiers an average salary of $142,708. In fact, I completed my PhD in a little over 4 years. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. They want to exhibit their dedication to the task with something tangible. It also sets the stage for continual professional development through values centered on lifelong . But does that mean anything? Each of the certifications require you to complete CE and/or retest every few years to keep the board certification current. 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. CEO, A2A Pharmaceuticals, "BCMAS Review was excellent. Video advice: What is a Medical Science Liaison? 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. Depending on your year of experience in the pharmaceutical, device, and/or diagnostics industry some would be new. It is designed to recognize excellence among those who wish to specialize as experts in medical affairs. Getting the BCMAS Certification was definitely a major step in my career improve the quality of pharmaceutical If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. 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. 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. #BCMAS #PACS #PRC Board Certifications in Life SciencesACMA in the Newsmedicalaffairsspecialist. Hello, can you please tell me if you took the certification and did it help you? This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. What are your thoughts/experiences with BCMAS? 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). See previous posts: https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cfurwp/is_a_bcmas_a_good_idea_if_you_have_no_previous/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/diiyry/is_the_bcmas_worth_it/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cnlgqp/how_many_of_you_are_board_certified_by_acma_is/. Addressing everything in one place can help establish a solid foundation, build confidence and competence for individuals and teams. High performers develop their capabilities to work more effectively in their roles. With BCMAS certification, you demonstrate that you've mastered the industry standard of knowledge through intensive study, self-assessment, and evaluation. Certainly time well spent! 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. As for ACMA, the content of modules and associated tools, access to online chat, and opportunity to get board certified, are well worth the cost. JavaScript is disabled. BCMAS was worth it!" Brian Duncan MD, BCMAS Vice President, Medical Affairs . But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? 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. Requirements for renewing your BCMAS certification: The BCMAS credential is valid for five (5) years. 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. Current professionals working within clinical research organizations (CROs). and improve on what I already know regarding Medical Affairs. 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. 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. The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. BCMAS is relevant for MSLs as well as other functions within Medical Affairs. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. I have nothing against the guy but I don't trust his company. The BCMAS certification is internationally recognized, and achieving the BCMAS . ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the Master cold calling/emailing and networking. It's always a challenge to transition from academia to industry. doctorate degree (Ph.D., PharmD., M.D.). Thats not their only reason for getting a BCMAS certification, however. One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. $700. But the BCMAS program appeals to younger professionals for very concrete reasons. Being board certified in any healthcare related career has proven to be impactful. MSLs have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a The BCMAS provided me with a thorough knowledge of medical affairs operations, the life Accreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMAS medicalaffairsspecialist. ProctorU is utilized by both organizations for proctoring of the exam and both are completed under timed conditions following an identity verification process. Expanded Access 4.0 Registration Now Open! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. You can do this by either BCMAS allows up to 3 hours for their four-section exam which includes multiple . Speaking for myself, I can already tell a shift in mentality towards clinical development and regulatory affairs following the BCMAS modules. If youre looking to only be an MSL, MSL-BC might be more suitable. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. At this time, its difficult to tell how recognized the MSL-BC mark will become in the future and whether it will stand the test of time. Certifications and Ratings . Hi. Please select your appropriate region below to learn more about becoming certified today! The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. So, I started looking for other types of positionspositions that would fit my strengths. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. Cookie Notice Its the benchmark of excellence for Medical Affairs in the industry for over 5+ years. MSLs are focused on building relationships with key experts ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. 7+ Year Member. How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). The ACMA has Live 24/7 Chat support feature. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. And going from a medical . ) This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. industry. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. These cookies do not store any personal information. They constantly blast promotions about this certification and how important it will be without much substantiation. Board certifying medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals is critical to ensure ethical practices, compliance excellence, and public trust at this crucial time. I very much agree that awareness of the discipline as a whole (of medical affairs) leads to higher levels of contribution. We are going to break down the pros and cons of each. Privacy Policy. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. Medical Director of Astellas Pharma Philippines. But you can clearly see on our website, our position. 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. Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. The BCMAS helped me to tie together my story as a candidate.. A displaced senior pilot-with 100,000 hours of heavy airline transport time, earning $150,000 a year-would have a hard time finding an equivalent highpaying job in school teaching. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) . This is very interesting to me. Jbrl Full Member. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). The MSL-BC credential is still very new, and it remains to be seen how widely adopted it becomes. This credential demonstrates that you have mastered the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to work in the life sciences industry. Our MSL professional development and training solutions are based on real-world experience from professionals with world class MSL experience. I hope this article was useful to help you choose which MSL certification is right for you. Have you talked to anyone in this field about this exam and employment chances? 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. One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. Shouldn't you get your Pharm-D first, before you get "BCMAS" certified? This week, with that backdrop, the House Committee on Energy and Commerces Health Subcommittee will hear from senior leaders in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the founder and CEO of the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA), William Soliman, PhD, BCMAS. You did the heavy lifting by being awesome :-). The MSL-BC program is a very new certification (released in February 2020). Listen Now! My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. clinical medicine, and experts from the pharmaceutical industry. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). The BCMAS program is a globally recognized board certification in over 40 countries. One (1) year of cumulative experience working full-time as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training / American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. Such a great foundation for someone new to pharma. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But, how do you go about getting certified? Now in virtual format. 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. The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams. Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are typically trained PhD professionals, physicians, or pharmacists. Format- 100% Online, Self-Paced, Audio Time Needed to Complete - 40 hours Exam Required- Yes (online) The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) graduates are the pharma industry's thought leaders. Certain aspects I am not familiar with, such as which program came first or whether the organizations are non profit. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. Listen to BCMAS graduates share their stories! Developed by industry experts and considered the industry standard by most for MSL certification. Online, proctored by a webcam. Due to the newness of the certification, there are very few people that have the MSL-BC credential, therefore, it is not well recognized yet. I just began looking into this and realize the potential of. MSL-BC requires this be accomplished every 3 years while BCMAS has an every 5 year requirement. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2022 - BDJobsToday.org. Once hired by a pharmaceutical company, they will be trained on (1) compliance rules and regulations related to interactions with HCPs and other important regulatory and compliance matters pertinent to the pharmaceutical industry to comply with PhRMA guidelines and (2) disease state and product(s) information related to the companys pipeline and currently marketed product(s). The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs is meeting the daily challenge of expanding and level-setting the knowledge base of medical affairs professionals throughout the industry. I can briefly share my experience with the ACMA program which I found quite worthwhile: Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. Those are some of the reasons why executives with more than a decade of industry experience have turned to the ACMA to earn their medical affairs credentials. 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. You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. I will update this community should that change. Does anyone know about this combination? The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist or BCMAS is a credential that goes right up there next to your name after MD, DO, PhD or PharmD. science liaison to senior leader, you need something extra. The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. You do not need prior industry experience but you do need to have a pharmd/phd/md/do etc. Thats becoming more difficult to do as medical affairs becomes increasingly strategic, increasingly larger as a function within the industry and increasingly competitive. healthcare providers (HCPs). What constitutes a board certification designation? Tel: +1 (201) 688-2230 It is impossible to operate in such scarcity. This two-part article provides a good summary on the ACMA and MSLS programs. 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. Currently the only accredited board certification for MSLs worldwide. Still others are looking for a challenge to learn what they dont know. Hi Not sure if you saw this recent PR release: I'm connected on social media with the founders of the org. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). I literally knew nothing about how to be an MSL when you got me. Are there any online resources that cover all these topics? I have a few questions if you don't mind answering. For more information, please see our But how can one get all this info? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. and our For medical science liaisons, the BCMAS provides a professional credential that demonstrates a commitment to the role, a dedication to a high standard of excellence and protects the integrity of medical affairs. Online, proctored by a webcam. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Expanded Access to Advanced Cell Therapies. Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. I wanted to work in medical affairs as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the pharmaceutical 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. Topics include: As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, medical affairs and MSL colleagues to enroll in BCMAS. I look forward to your thoughts if you have a chance to read it as well. Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. Grantors always consider if the PI has the experience and resources to get the job done. The average medical science liaisons salary is $136,000. 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. Others seek to differentiate themselves from their peers. 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. being easy to digest. Growing need for medical affairs certification. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. Several years ago many did not believe that it would be possible to have a certification that broadly sweeps small and large organizations and everything in between including all therapeutic areas. The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. in our pharmacy industry. The BCMAS program will expand your knowledge and advance your medical science liaison career. 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. In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. ", Lubna El-Najjar It's a role which has a tremendous impact on the industry and overall healthcare ecosystem. Does it give you an advantage when applying? You are using an out of date browser. 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. However, I do notice quite a few MSLs with that certification. All Right Reserved. Individual career development paths is discussed specific to each credential and how board certification is impacting organizations on a macro level.