OSHA & HIPPA

CERTIFICATIONS

Many, if not all, US Hospitals require several certifications for health care professionals to obtain in order to guarantee the safety of the care giver, the patient and society. There are several national certifications like OSHA and HIPPA, but there are several state specific certificates that may be required as well. Please check individual state regulations for any specific certifications a Medical Professional may be required to obtain before they can work directly with patients.

The HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) certificate consists of a one day course where students learn about this act from the perspective of health care providers and administrators. HIPAA serves multiple purposes including the prevention of fraud and abuse by establishing different programs; it also outlines policies and procedures for maintaining security and privacy of health information; as well it outlines several offenses in the health care field, and sets criminal and civil penalties for such offenses.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA), any persons working in a field with potential exposure to blood or any other infectious substances, must obtain a certification on Blood Borne Pathogens. This course and test are easily available online for a relatively inexpensive cost, and there are also many free training programs available.

The Infection Control certification is required by NY State education department only. The Infection Control and Barrier Precaution law applies to the following professions: dental hygienists, dentists, licensed practical nurses, optometrists, physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, registered professional nurses and specialist assistants. As of November 3, 2008, the requirement for training also includes medical students, medical residents, and physician assistant students.