Support for Cardiovascular Professionals through COVID-19

Posted on by Kurt Jensen
ACVP Support for Cardiovascular Professionals Through COVID-19

Towards the beginning of this crisis, I wrote a message to our network regarding our response to COVID-19. Crucially, I want to remind everyone, again, that ACVP has maintained a remote staff infrastructure for many years, and our day-to-day operations and support for cardiovascular professionals has not changed despite COVID-19.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to update our members on how ACVP continues to provide outstanding support for cardiovascular professionals through COVID-19, and how we've been spending our time to continue to support our members and our profession.

1. Facilitating Virtual Continuing Education

The Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals hasn't stopped developing and delivering quality continuing education in a virtual capacity. So far, in March and April alone, we've served hundreds of hours of continuing education to non-physician cardiovascular professionals through our new CVCEU on-demand education platform, which offers more than seven hours of educational modules absolutely free of charge.

We're working diligently behind the scenes to expand those offerings with all-new content, as well as secure sponsorship so that we can continue to deliver these new modules to professionals for free!

2. Facilitating Discussion & Collaboration in a Critical Time

Through this crisis, we've been blessed to have the active and engaged leadership of outstanding professionals and administrators in cardiovascular care to facilitate discussion and the sharing of best practices in real time.

We also continue to connect professionals, directly, with ACVP's CONNETWORK program. Thank you to our fellows and our leaders for going the extra mile despite the increased demands on their time.

1&2(b): Pre-Announcing Our Live Webinar Series in May

To facilitate both excellent virtual education and collaborative discussion, we're very excited to announce a LIVE webinar series in May which will feature outstanding cardiovascular service line administrators and directors and non-physician cardiovascular professionals sharing their experiences and insight into clinical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as looking forward to the new normal in cardiology services as the world slowly reopens.

These moderated panel discussions will provide excellent, real-time clinical education and CEs for attendees, free of charge. Stay tuned for more information - and make sure you're getting our emails by signing up, here.

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The Value of an Association of Cardiovascular Professionals

Posted on by Kurt Jensen
the value of an association of cardiovscular professionals

My boss, Peggy McElgunn, is a truly excellent mentor and advocate. She has decades of experience serving as the Executive Director of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals as well as with other professional associations and non-profit organizations across healthcare and other industries. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise is no small part of the value ACVP members receive for their dues investment. And in thinking about continuing the spirit of Cardiovascular Professionals Week year-round, I asked her to share with us some of her thoughts on the value of an association of cardiovascular professionals, what supporting an association like ACVP really does both for individuals and for the profession as a whole. - Kurt Jensen

Professional associations have existed for as long as people have gathered and there have been trades, crafts and professions.  It is apparent we have a basic need to form communities with people who share similar interests. There is no doubt that, together, we are able to professionally accomplish more than any one of us can do independently. 

Social Networks Can't Replace an Association of Cardiovascular Professionals

In an era of the internet and social communities, the value of professional associations have been questioned, particularly by younger entrants into a field. But the internet does not curate our professional connections. The internet does not promote professional recognition as a verified expert or qualified voice. The internet does not catalog the wealth of professional information and provide us with specific support to enable us to maximize our time and potential. 

Online social networks, alone, are a poor substitute for an association of cardiovascular professionals. Only an association with a history of commitment and dedication to its members can do this effectively. 

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Non-physician Cardiovascular Professionals are the Foundation of Quality Care

Posted on by Zack McElgunn

Cardiovascular Professionals Week 2020 Begins Feb 9!

Cardiovascular Professionals Week 2020 is next week, February 9-15! This year, the theme is Wholehearted Professionals, Wholehearted Care, in an effort to emphasize how the hard work and commitment of non-physician cardiovascular professionals produces excellent patient care—from patient advocacy to innovations impacting quality.

From the direct patient care to the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring new technological innovations, new perspectives, and improved team structures to cardiology: non-physician professionals are the foundation upon which quality care is built.

In recent years, there has been a push to improve the diversity of the cardiovascular workforce, as there have been direct links demonstrated between the diversity of care teams, and the quality of care—and even financial stability—of care-providing institutions. The ethos of teamwork and collaboration that defines cardiovascular work makes it an ideal platform for the improvement of diversity across the spectrum of care delivery.

As the need for, and accessibility of, cardiovascular care is expected to grow in the coming years and decades, the importance of multidisciplinary teams, diverse perspectives, and increased partnership between professionals is only going to become more pronounced. Non-physician cardiovascular professionals are the keystone that will ultimately bring cardiovascular care completely into the 21st century, as healthcare transitions from a “procedural” perspective to a more “programmatic” focus.

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Good News! Bill Seals Fluoroscopy Exemption in Maryland

Posted on by Kurt Jensen
May 13 Bill Signing - Fluoroscopy Exemption

ACVP Advocacy Wins Fluoroscopy Exemption in Maryland

On Monday, May 13, Maryland House Bill 924 was signed into law, carving out an exemption in existing state law such that RCIS professionals can continue assisting in the performance of fluoroscopy procedures in Maryland cath labs.

This bill was the end result of a collaborative work group convened by the Maryland Board of Physicians, in which the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals took part, that was tasked with finding a solution to the manpower shortage currently being experienced by Maryland hospitals and cath labs.

The bill made significant inroads to ensuring multidisciplinary teams can deliver high quality care in Maryland cath labs, by vesting supervising physicians with the power to delegate duties to qualified RNs, RTs or RCIS professionals during the performance of procedures involving fluoroscopy. Previous interpretations of Maryland state law had prohibited RCIS professionals from assisting in procedures for which they'd been educated and trained.

ACVP Fights for Team-based Care Around the U.S.

The legislative sessions of many States, those without year-round sessions, have now closed or are approaching adjournment in June. You can find the status of all state legislatures, here. During this period, ACVP closely monitored or was directly involved in legislation in Minnesota and Maryland, and regulatory rule-making in New Hampshire, all resulting in advocacy wins on behalf of team-based care.

In Minnesota, bills HF 819 and SF 966 were amended to create a similar exemption for RCIS credentialed professionals assisting in x-ray machine operation. In New Hampshire, ACVP was involved in rule-making which ultimately protected the scope of practice of the RCIS.

You can find more information about our advocacy involvement and legislation we are tracking on our pending legislation page. We also invite you to use the form on that page to make us aware of any legislation or rule-making in your State which may affect any cardiovascular professionals.

ACVP thanks all of its members for continuing to support our efforts to ensure that multidisciplinary teams are allowed to deliver the highest quality cardiovascular care in all U.S. states. Our members' hard work and commitment to patients and fellow professionals is truly inspiring and greatly appreciated.

If you're not an ACVP member, consider joining the Alliance, today, to support our ongoing efforts on behalf of all cardiovascular professionals' right to work. The Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals is the only professional organization catering specifically to and supporting non-physician professionals in cardiac care.

Join the Alliance »