Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

What is the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)?

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is a nationally recognized accreditation agency that provides health education and also accreditation in specific health education disciplines.

The objectives of the accrediting agency are as follows.

To improve the quality of education and training and provide institutional and programmatic accreditation to the institutions that it recognizes.
To set up eligibility criteria and evaluation strategies for administration in allied health disciplines.
To make sure that the evaluation standards are relevant, valid and reliable. The prediction of a successful qualitative outcome is the result of the systematic review, enhancement and, follow-up.
Employment outcomes are enhanced through quality improvement of institutions and programs.
Helps to promote sound business and ethical standards.

Recognition of ABHES

The United States Secretary of Education recognized the ABHES for granting accreditation for allied health education programs of private and post-secondary institutions.

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) Source: Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology

Accreditation Process of ABHES

The accreditation process of ABHES takes the following steps.

The application packet is retrieved.
Application Submission - After clarification on the basic eligibility criteria of application submission, the application is submitted for institutional or programmatic accreditation, along with other required documents.
The Self Evaluation Report or SER is prepared.
Even before applying for SER, the applicants are required to attend the accreditation workshop.
After attending the preliminary workshop, the institutional accreditation applicants should undergo a preliminary visit whereas the programmatic accreditation applicants can choose to undergo or not undergo an accreditation process.
The most important step in the accreditation process is the SER submission. Sufficient care should be taken while filling the report because it is based on this report that the invigilators grade your institution after their visit.
On-site team visit is the next important step in the accreditation process. The evaluation consists of team-lead, program specialist, an ABHES staff member and sometimes a distance education specialist. The distance education specialist helps in identifying the effectiveness of distance education programs if any.
The institutional response is to provide an opportunity for the institution to respond to the suggestions, opinions, and violations mentioned in the report by the On-site team.

ABHES Accreditation

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Accreditation Timeline of ABHES

The initial ABHES accreditation timeline has two cycles in a year which the first begins in February and continues till May for a review in July and the other which begins in August and continues till early November for a review in January.

SERs are granted to the institution 12-18 months in prior to the expiry of the accreditation grant. Selected schools receive SERs and renewal application in January and June of each year.
A year prior to the SER deadline, the applicants are required to attend the Accreditation Workshop.

What happens in accreditation workshops?

Accreditation workshops are held in February, April, September, and October. Participants better understand accreditation standards and procedures and also share the experience with other schools striving towards meaningful self-evaluation.

Anyone who is interested to know about the ABHES accreditation process can access the ABHES workshop. If the designated employee of the university no longer works in the university then another representative of the university should attend the meetings when called for.

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Registrations can be canceled 10 days in prior to the meeting, where only $50 will be retained. For cancellation made within 9 days of the scheduled workshop, no refund is made.

How to become an ABHES evaluator?

Qualified doctors and practitioners are encouraged by the agency to become evaluators. The accreditation process is highly critical to the agency. Administrative team leaders include individuals possessing high leadership ability, and experience in innovative school management involving the review of student outcomes.

Program Specialists include Medical Assistants, Surgical Technologists, Health Information Technologists, Nurses, Distance educators, and many others.

Based on the need and availability, evaluators can perform one to four site visits per year. Participation in the evaluation team is a great learning experience.

ABHES evaluator

Source: Higher EdExecuives

Expected requirements of an ABHES evaluator

The several roles played by the evaluation team members and their respective requirements are as follows.

Administrative Team Leader - Minimum two years of educational management experience coupled with knowledge and ability to review student performance and institute-regulations are mandatory. Previous experience in ABHES or other related institutions is expected.

Program Specialists - This designation expects a minimum of two years of related experience in a specialty area along with the appropriate background, field credentials, and sufficient teaching experience.

Associate Degree Reviewers - In addition to program specialist qualifications, the role expects a Health-related Bachelors degree from an accredited university.

Baccalaureate Degree Reviewers - A professional degree or a doctorate from a recognized educational body is mandatory. A minimum of 5 years experience in instructing students at the Bachelor’s level. The applicant should have undergone the ABHES educational training.

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Masters degree reviewers - The applicant should have earned a professional, Masters or doctorate degree from a recognized institution. At least three years of experience in instructing, advising and evaluating students is mandatory.

Distance education specialists - Development or evaluations of distance education programs are essential. Distance Education training module should also be attended in prior.

Surgical technology program specialist - Program specific qualification respect to surgical technology is essential. Surgical Technology Specialist training module is also essential.

ABHES accredited colleges

Few institutions that are accredited by the ABHES are as given below.

Colleges accredited by ABHES
Charter College	Fortis College
Eastern College of Health Vocations	Arizona College
Brooklyn College	Carrington College
American Career College	American Harbor College

Conclusion

The ABHES has till date made sure that the accredited institutions and programs perform with high standards and quality while preparing students for the health care industry. This accreditation body guides students to the highest standards of educational excellence. Essential information relating to employment trends, health technology advances, and, technology innovations are provided through the ABHES program.

With the standards set by the accreditation program, graduates are ready to enter the hugely competitive marketplace. Accreditation plays a very important role in selecting the course and institution in which a student pursues his education. Hence a timely review of accrediting policies is also required to maintain the quality of education.

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FAQ's

How long would the initial application process of ABHES accreditation take?

The initial application takes place for almost 18-24 months and 12 months is taken for programmatic accreditation. The process involves two on-site visits as well, one preliminary visit and the other a full-team visit.

What are the steps involved in the accreditation process?

Application submission, self-evaluation report, attendance at ABHES work-shop, preliminary visit, final SER submission, full-team onsite visit, and the review program are the steps involved in the accreditation process.

What is the difference between institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation?

Institutional accreditation is granted for those educational bodies that predominantly offer 70% of the courses in compliance with the standards of the accrediting body. Programmatic accreditation is provided to programs offered by these institutions as per the guidelines of the accrediting agency.

What is the first step to be taken to apply for institutional accreditation?

The accreditation manual of the ABHES accreditation body has to checked to find out if the requirements specified are satisfied by these institutions. An SER is then prepared, accreditation workshop is attended and visits are also made to these institutions.

Why should ABHES be chosen for accreditation?

ABHES is a private, non-profit independent accrediting agency since 1968. Recognition, resource, and service are the three goals of the accreditation body.

Is an audited financial statement a pre-requisite for ABHES accreditation?

An institution must submit an audited financial statement on or before the June 30 or Dec 31 to apply for ABHES accreditation.

Which are the healthcare accrediting agencies in the United States?

ACAOM, AOTA, ACPE, ACNM, ADA, AOA,APTA, ASHA, AVMA, CCE, CAAHEP, CAHIIM, CAHME, CCNE, COA, AANA, CNME, APMA, CORE, JRCERT, JRCNMT, LCME, MEAC, NAACLS, NLNAC and many more are the other health-education accrediting agencies in the United States.

Where is the headquarters of ABHES?

The headquarters of ABHES is in Virginia, United States.

Explain the Board of Commissioners of ABHES?

The ABHES Board of Commissioners consists of 15 members out of which seven members appoint themselves and the rest eight are chosen from the already chosen board from the accredited institutions.