CPHQ (Quality) Certification

Wed, 11/30/2016 - 19:58 -- gkroberts

I couldn't find an official public health quality improvement certification, but I did find one for healthcare called a CPHQ (Certified Personnel in Healthcare Quality) through the National Association for Healthcare Quality. More information can be found here. Has anyone earned this? If so, has it been beneficial for public health?

I attended the training course and plan to take the test mid-December. During the training, I noticed that much of the content is applicable to the QI tools and concepts we use in public health. Would this be a good certificate to reflect QI compentencies for QI coordinators? Just thinking out loud..

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Submitted by dloye@columbus.gov on

I think the CPHQ is a very good starting point to reflect QI competencies!  I have this certification, but also many years of QI / Patient Safety experience.  I very much like the emphasis placed on data, standardizations, and management that the CPHQ focuses on in both the exam and the overall focus of NAHQ - National Association for Healthcare Quality.  I am relatively new to public health and believe that adopting goals and focus from the Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety communities would position public health well and also align with the triple aim and how to achieve it.  I believe we are all patient focused and want to improve overall health and will benefit from working together using standard approaches to achieve goals.

Would love to continue this conversation with others who have similar interests!

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Submitted by osagie on

Hello, I also have the CPHQ certifications  and definately find it helpful as it broadens your scope to include clinical healthcare quality improvement applications which is more advance than public health QI. One thing to bear in mind is that you have to recertify every 2 years by submitting 30 CEUs which is not hard to find. I recommend it and am happy to also speak more if you have addittional questions.

Osagie (Boston)

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Submitted by blufflady on

I have had my CPHQ for years, would have to look back to see how many.  I attained it when I worked in a hospital-based managed care organization.  I have to agree wholeheartedly with dloye from Columbus.gov.  Lots of data emphasis, quite a lot to learn from other colleagues in the NAHQ organization. You don't have to hold membership in NAHQ but it helps. The recertification is CEUs, but not hard to qualify for CEUs.  I went back to public health consulting and teaching QI and PM after 15 years in managed care. Folks are not familiar with the CPHQ in general, but when you explain it is a national certification they are impressed.  The study course is an excellent base of tools and skills that you will always use in Public Health. The access to resources and other colleagues doing some things that push our boundaries is helpful.  I am an RN, MPH, CPHQ.   Would love to continue  the conversation also. 

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Beverly Larson, RN, MPH, CPHQ

Submitted by gkroberts on

Thank you all for your feedback! It is valuable to know that this will help me in my career in quality/performance management. The CPHQ trainer recommended that individuals earn this certification after working in the field for 2-3 years, so it is helpful to take your quality skills to a more advanced level.

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Gurleen Roberts, MPH
Director of Quality Management
Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Marietta, GA
gurleen.roberts@dph.ga.gov

Submitted by techols on

I am planning to get certified along with members of my IHI Open School team.  We take IHI courses to assist us in working on QI projects and the team is great because it is comprised of students in public health, medical and nursing school.  The experience has been beneficial to me because I can share experiences from the team with the clinical staff within my department and I can share experiences with my team from my department's implementation of QI concepts.

Tara Echols, MPH, SSGBC

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Tara Echols