September Bulletin

Friday, September 30th, 2016
NNCC News Bulletin
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The electronic news bulletin contains important information for all current certificants as well as those seeking certification. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. nncc@nncc-exam.org or 888-884-6622 (Mon — Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm ET)

Sent to those committed to excellence!

IN THIS E-NEWS BULLETIN, PLEASE FIND THE FOLLOWING SHORT NEW BRIEFS FROM THE NNCC:

CCHT NCCA

CERTIFIED CLINICAL HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN (CCHT) ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CERTIFYING AGENCIES (NCCA)

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission’s CCHT certification examination for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, whose standards ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. More information on the NCCA is available online at www.credentialingexcellence.org/NCCA.

2016 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Congratulations to the NNCC Clinical/Technical Career Mobility Scholarship winners for 2016:

  • Faith Avila, CCHT, The Colony, TX
  • Melissa Clyde, CCHT, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Anjelle Obermeyer Tiliakos, CCHT, Kenner, LA

2015 CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION HIGH SCORERS

NNCC would like to congratulate the following certificants for achieving the highest scores on their certification examinations in 2015:

CCHTCertified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)

  • Kristie Cooper, West Bend, WI
  • Ashley Murphy, Greely, CO

CCHT-ACertified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician - Advanced (CCHT-A)

  • Travis Valderrama, Moss Beach, CA

CD-LVNCertified Dialysis - Licensed Vocational Nurse (CD-LVN)

  • Ronald Malone, Tulare, CA

CDNCertified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)

  • Amy Goodwin, Jackson, MO

CNNCertified Nephrology Nurse (CNN)

  • Genesis McHorse, Las Cruces, NM

CNN-NPCertified Nephrology Nurse-Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP)

  • Elise Pierson, Huntsville, AL

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND AWARDS NOW!

Opportunities abound! Pursue nephrology education and research supported by scholarships, grants and awards from NNCC. Please review the descriptions to confirm your eligibility.

CD-LVN CD-LPN CCHT-A CCHT
Technicians and LPNs/LVNs:

Award amounts have increased!

NNCC will award three (3) Career Mobility Scholarships to support a qualified CCHT, CCHT-A, and/or CD-LPN/LVN.

  • $3,000.00 award given annually.
  • For continuing education and development or support of a program to improve patient outcomes in the health science field.
  • Application form and instructions are available on the Scholarships/Grants page.
  • The deadline to apply is November 30, 2016. Winners will be notified in the spring 2017.

NOTE: Fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.

CNN-NP
New in 2016! CNN-NP Career Mobility Scholarship

One (1) Career Mobility Scholarship to a qualified CNN-NP certified individual.

  • $5,000.00 award given annually.
  • For candidates engaged in continuing education and development or support of a program to improve patient outcomes in the health science field. The scholarship can be used for an accredited nursing doctoral program (DNP or PhD).
  • Application form and instructions are available on the Scholarships/Grants page.
  • The deadline to apply is November 30, 2016. Winners will be notified in the spring 2017.

NOTE: Fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.

CNNCDNCDN and CNN Career Mobility Scholarships
Award Amounts Increased!

Calling all qualified CNNs and CDNs who are members of the American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA) to apply for THREE (3) NNCC Career Mobility Scholarships awarded through ANNA.

  • $3,000 grant given annually.
  • For candidates pursuing either a BSN or advanced degree in nursing.
  • Application form and instructions are available on the Scholarships/Grants webpage.
  • Application deadline is October 15, 2016.

NOTE: Fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.

Barbara F. Prowant Nursing Research Grant

One (1) grant awarded through the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).

  • $5,000 grant given annually.
  • For candidates engaged in nursing research, particularly in the area of nephrology.
  • Details can be found on the ANNA website at www.annanurse.org.
  • Application deadline is November 15, 2016.

NOTE: Fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.

NNCC Advocacy Award

Does Your Facility/Organization Value Certification? Apply Now!

An award is made to an organization/facility/department/unit that demonstrates that it values certification.

The Advocacy Award includes:

  • a wall plaque, and
  • a $500 gift card, and
  • a press release, and
  • recognition on the NNCC website and at the NNCC exhibit at professional nephrology events.
  • Application form and instructions are available at www.nncc-exam.org or download the application here.
  • Nomination deadline is January 1, 2017.

NOTE: Fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.

COMING SOON: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

Annual Dialysis Conference — March 11 - 14, 2017

  • Long Beach, California
  • For all professionals involved in providing care in dialysis programs
  • Includes a day of pre-conference sessions specifically for hemodialysis technician continuing education
  • Click here for more information on this meeting
  • Grants will be available for nurses here.
  • Beginning in 2017 NNCC will sponsor a grant for a person with a NNCC clinical/technical credential to attend the ADC pre-conference session and seminar. Please stay tuned for more information!

National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT) — Spring, 2017

  • Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
  • February 20 – 23, 2017.
  • Click here for more information on NANT local chapter activities as well as the Spring, 2017 meeting.

National Kidney Foundation (NKF)

  • April 18 – 22, 2017
  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Orlando, FL
  • Click here to be taken to the NKF Spring Clinical Meeting website.

American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA) 48th National Symposium

  • April 7 – 10, 2017
  • Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC
  • For more information click here to be taken to the ANNA website.

Medical Education Institute (MEI)

  • Non-profit organization that helps people with chronic kidney disease manage their health.
  • Also provides online continuing education modules for nurses and hemodialysis technicians.
  • Click here for more information about MEI's continuing education offerings.

CDN CHANGES IN NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS REQUIRED FOR CDN RECERTIFICATION

  • Effective beginning July 1, 2017.
  • Continuing education credits required for recertification increase from 30 hours to 45 hours within the previous three (3) years of certification.
  • Change made to match requirements for CNN recertification.

NEW COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENTS

Lindsay Williamson and Danilo Concepcion began new terms serving as NNCC Commissioners

Lindsay Williamson, BSN RN CNN

LindsayLindsay has spent over sixteen years in nephrology nursing, working in outpatient hemodialysis, performance improvement and compliance and as an acute renal nurse. She became certified in 2002. Most recently she works as outpatient hemodialysis nurse for CHI Franciscan St. Joseph Medical Center Eastside and Puyallup Outpatient Hemodialysis Clinics. Her interests include anemia management and mineral bone disease. Lindsay previously served as an item writer on the NNCC's Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) Test Committee and is now serving as co-chair for the Nursing Exam Board.

Danilo Concepcion, CBNT CCHT-A FNKF

LindsayDanilo has been a dialysis practitioner since 1975. He is experienced in the clinical, technological, research and administrative areas of dialysis. He is an executive committee member of numerous dialysis related organizations. He is a prolific national and international speaker and writer and has been published in numerous professional journals and has been a contributing author on several dialysis and infection control manuals. He has been a member of the Renal and Disease Detoxification Committee since 2000 for AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) that develops the American standards and recommended practice for dialysis. He is also on the Editorial Advisory Board for Nephrology News and Issues. Danilo currently serves on the NNCC Clinical/Technical exam board.

For a complete list of the NNCC Board of Commissioners, click here.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inactive Status Available

  • Applies when a CNN, CDN or CD-LPN/LVN is unable to meet the requirements for recertification due to unusual circumstances.
  • Provide a letter with the application that explains the unusual circumstances.
  • If approved, is granted for a single 3 year period.
  • Certification credential may not be used during the inactive period.
  • Must meet usual recertification criteria to recertify.
  • Click here to obtain the application under recertification of the applicable credential.
  • Emeritus Status

     

  • Used for persons:
    • are over 50 years of age,
    • have maintained an active credential, and
    • have retired from active practice.
  • Application for Emeritus Status is found under Recertification Options specific to the credential.
  • Submit one-time fee.
  • Details can be found at https://www.nncc-exam.org/recertification

REMINDER: CURRENT APPLICATIONS ARE REQUIRED

Download and use current certification and recertification applications from the NNCC website at www.nncc-exam.org. Old versions of these documents are NOT accepted!

CONTACT NNCC FOR ASSISTANCE

Slideshow NNCC staff are available to assist with questions, but the phone can be challenging during times when many people are in the process of recertifying. If you need assistance, it is recommended that you email NNCC and a member of the office staff will contact you promptly. Simply go to the NNCC homepage at www.nncc-exam.org and click on "Contact NNCC" or add NNCC to your email address book: nncc@nncc-exam.org, for easy access.

CONTINUING EDUCATION, CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION REMINDERS

Checkbox Image Please review the applicable application form and note the criteria for continuing education submitted for certification and recertification. Continuing education credits must be applicable to the person's credential and scope of practice in nephrology. Continuing education credit for materials that do not apply to the person's nephrology role and scope of practice cannot be accepted.

The NNCC Certified Directory at www.nncc-exam.org is used for online verification of certification. It is a searchable database that displays all individuals matching the selection criteria who have opted to post their information. All managers are strongly encouraged to verify credentials by viewing this directory regularly.

NNCC ON FACEBOOK!!

  • NNCC is on Facebook – be sure to connect with us!
  • "Like" us on Facebook to keep up with certification and exam information and other nephrology-related news.
  • Be sure to check the "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding CCHT recertification on our Facebook page.
  • View the NNCC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NNCCExam.

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ABOUT NNCC

  • NNCC exists to provide credentialing mechanisms for nephrology nurses and hemodialysis technicians.
  • NNCC believes that there should be a diversity of examinations to provide opportunity for certification at various levels of education, experience and areas of practice.