FAQs Regarding PCHAC
Click on each question below to view the answer.
Q1: Why Palliative Care & Hospice Advanced Certification?
All professionals serving in a palliative care/hospice program need specialized training and advanced education in the field in order to provide competent, evidence-based care. This is the expectation of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other palliative care/hospice professionals. The BCC-PCHAC credential is a mark of excellence to employers, professional colleagues, patients, families, and the public. It identifies chaplains who have mastered the specialized praxis and advanced knowledge essential to palliative care/hospice chaplaincy.
Q2: Who can apply for BCCI and NACC Palliative Care/Hospice Advanced Certification?
BCCI and NACC Board Certified Chaplains with at least one year of board certification and direct clinical palliative care and/or hospice work experience spanning over 3 years at a minimum of 520 hours per year may apply for the BCC-PCHAC certification.
Q3: What if my work is only in hospice or only in palliative care?
That is fine. Many applicants have experience in only one segment of the palliative care continuum. Nevertheless, the applicant must demonstrate competency in all areas of palliative care/hospice regardless of the applicant’s primary employment setting.
Q4: What is the educational requirement for the BCC-PCHAC?
Applicants must have completed an intensive palliative care and/or hospice course equivalent to 3 credit hours (45 hours), such as the CSU Shiley Essentials of Palliative Care Chaplaincy course.
Q5: Do I need to be a BCCI or NACC Board Certified Chaplain for three years before applying?
No. You must be a BCCI or NACC Board Certified Chaplain for one year before applying for palliative care/hospice specialty certification.
Q6: What if I am certified by another chaplaincy organization?
Only chaplains certified by BCCI or NACC may apply for the BCC-PCHAC advanced certification. Note: There is a simplified BCCI board certification process for applicants who are CPE educators or chaplains certified by ACPE, CASC, NACC, NAJC or NAVAC. Click this link to reach the form for applicants certified by organizational partners.
Q7: If the certification committee determines that I met some, but not all, of the criteria for Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification would I be eligible for provisional or associate status, as with BCC certification?
No. Because it is an advanced certification, there is no provisional or associate status for the BCC-PCHAC. The applicant must meet all of the requirements of the BCC-PCHAC in order to be granted advanced certification. If certification is not granted, the applicant may choose to work on the unmet competencies or requirements and submit a new application at a discounted rate.
Q8: How long does the certification process take?
It takes about four months from the time an application is submitted to BCCI to the time when the certification interview is scheduled. If the committee recommends certification, the BCCI Commission on Certification acts on the recommendation at its next meeting and the BCCI Board of Directors considers ratification of the certification at its next meeting.
