1. Introduction To The Academy Of Health Information Professionals
PRESENTED BY
MCMLA Education Committee
MCMLA Webinar
March 16, 2016
ADAPTED FROM PRESENTATIONS CREATED BY
ANNA BETH CRABTREE, AHIP, 2003; JOLENE MILLER, MLS, AHIP, 2013; and Jan Rice, MLS, AHIP, 2014

2. Why Join AHIP? Rebecca Graves, Distinguished Member
PRESENTED BY Current AHIP Members:
Rebecca Graves, Distinguished Member
Brenda Pfannenstiel, Distinguished Member
Shawn Steidinger, Provisional Member
Gwen Wilson, Provisional Member
Why Join AHIP?

3. What is AHIP? Academy of Health Information Professionals
PRESENTED BY Gwen Wilson, MLS, AHIP
MCMLA AHIP Credentialing Liaison
What is AHIP?
Academy of Health Information Professionals
Medical Library Association’s professional development and career recognition program

4. Who can be a member of AHIP?
Any Information Professional
(including people who are not members of MLA)

5. Am I Eligible to Apply? Academic Preparation
ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science
If you have another master’s degree (not ALA-accredited), you must document coursework in all of MLA’s seven Professional Competencies, regardless of the number of years of professional work experience

6. Is Health Sciences Work Required?
No, all information professional work counts, whether or not it is in the health sciences
Points will still need to be health sciences library or health information-related, not just library activities or courses, with the rationale that applicants will be improving their health sciences medical librarianship knowledgebase and skills in the profession.

7. Eligibility of Part-time Employment
Yes

8. Members at each level are full members of the Academy!
The AHIP levels
Provisional
Member
Senior
Distinguished
Emeritus
Members at each level are full members of the Academy!

9. Provisional Level
ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree
With less than 5 years of experience, OR Currently seeking employment with less than 5 years of experience.
For the provisional level, a mentor is assigned to work with you.

10. Provisional Level Documents 8 hours of continuing education each year
Document 5 points of professional accomplishments per year
Provisional fee is paid at the beginning the provisional period (a maximum of five years) although provisional membership must be renewed annually at no cost

11. Member Level
ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree
5 or more years of experience after attainment of the master’s degree
Fifty (50) points of professional accomplishments completed in the past 5 years

12. Senior Level
ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree
5 or more years of experience after attainment of the master’s degree

13. Senior Level
Eighty (80) points of professional accomplishments completed in the past 5 years
5 points must be from professional association activities, not necessarily in MLA

14. Distinguished Level
ALA-accredited MLS or a non-ALA-accredited master’s degree
10 or more years of experience after attainment of the master’s degree

15. Distinguished Level
One hundred and twenty (120) points of professional accomplishments completed in the past 5 years
At least 10 must be professional association activities and At least 5 must be MLA activities

16. What counts As “MLA points”?
Serving as an officer, a committee chair or committee member of MLA, an MLA chapter, an MLA section, or an active MLA SIG
Serving as a mentor for a provisional member in the academy
Developing an MLA continuing education course
Serving as a site coordinator for an MLA teleconference
Conducting oral history interviews for MLA archival purposes

17. Emeritus Level Retired from the profession
Prior member of the academy at any level (except provisional) at retirement, and has been credentialed/certified by MLA for 10 consecutive years at the time of retirement.
No points are required to renew at this level.
Send a written request, emeritus form, and copies of your last certificate(s) to MLA headquarters.
No fee to move to emeritus level

18. Comparison of AHIP Levels

19. Renewals
Membership lasts 5 years; renew before the end of the 5th year
Renewal may be at the level of previous application
Need to prove completion of requirements for that level
NOTE: provisional members may not extend beyond 5 years
To advance to higher level of membership:
Must meet professional experience requirements
Must meet accomplishments for that level
Can advance to next level in less than 5 years if you meet the requirements
New fee required
Starts new 5 year cycle

20. Application Fees & Time To Renewal
Member Level
MLA Member
Non-MLA Member
Time to Renewal
Provisional level
$135.00
$325.00
5 years (max)
Member level or above
$200.00
$450.00
5 years
(renew before end of 5th year)
Emeritus
No fee
n/a
Fees paid when application is submitted
Application fee is non-refundable

21. Tips From the Credentialing Committee Chair
David Midyette, AHIP
Chair, MLA Credentialing Committee

22. Questions? Please complete our survey!