Advancing Skills in Anaplastology
The Importance of Certification in Clinical Anaplastology
We are dedicated to protecting the public by ensuring anaplastology professionals meet the highest standards.
Through rigorous evaluation, we identify individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for safe and effective practice. This gives employers, practitioners, and consumers confidence that certified professionals are committed to lifelong learning, professional development, and staying current with the latest technologies and techniques.
Obtaining the CCA designation is formal recognition for entry level anaplastologist professionals who have met the rigorous and demanding eligibility requirements; including formal education, subsequent supervised practice in a clinical setting, and passing of the examination.
CCA demonstrates healthcare-specific competency and a commitment to consumer safety by anaplastology allied health professionals who provide patients with customized prosthetic rehabilitation. The prostheses are designed and fabricated to normalize the appearance of the face or body impacted by congenital malformation, traumatic injury, disease or ablative surgery.
Professionals who earn the CCA designation have demonstrated they possess the clinical skills and the knowledge to design and fabricate life-like and functional facial prostheses as well as various external soft tissue somatic prostheses and also ocular prostheses.
Anaplastologists with the CCA designation are typically employed in medical practice settings such as university hospital settings, dental clinics and prosthetics specialty practices.
BCCA Credentialing values
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Protecting the public
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Meeting the needs of employers, practitioners, and the public by identifying individuals with the required knowledge and skills for anaplastology practice
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Assuring consumers that professionals have met the required standards of practice
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Demonstrating the commitment to professional development and to lifelong learning and staying current with new technologies and techniques
BCCA Certification Program Scope
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Establish the body of knowledge for anaplastology professionals
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Assess the level of knowledge demonstrated by anaplastology professionals in a valid and reliable manner
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Encourage professional growth in the field of clinical anaplastology
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Formally recognize individuals who meet the requirements set by BCCA Board of Directors
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Serve the public by encouraging quality clinical anaplastology services
History of the Board For Certification
In 1980, Walter Spohn and colleagues founded the American Anaplastology Association (AAA) at Stanford University Medical Center, in Palo Alto, California. Mr. Spohn wanted the AAA to serve as an open and inspiring “Information Exchange,” welcoming all of the multidisciplinary specialists involved in prosthetic rehabilitation, and to promote coordination and communication among professionals working along different but related paths in the service of the patient.
At the recommendation of an advisory committee formed in 1997, the membership of the American Anaplastology Association voted to establish a certification board in 2000 to follow the guidelines of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) — the accrediting body for the agency currently known as the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). This certification board became the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology (BCCA).
In 2002, the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology was established as a private, autonomous organization and incorporated in the state of South Carolina as a 501(c)(3)s nonprofit mutual benefit corporation.
In 2008, the American Anaplastology Association voted to change the name of the organization to the International Anaplastology Association (IAA) in recognition of the emerging global profession of clinical anaplastology.
The Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology and the International Anaplastology Association remain strategic partners ─ working together to achieve objectives that are mutually beneficially for the field of anaplastology.
What is CCA?
The BCCA certification program distinguishes anaplastologists with a proficiency and a commitment to advancing clinical anaplastology best practices and industry standards.
The Certified Clinical Anaplastologist (CCA) is formal recognition for anaplastologist professionals who have met rigorous and demanding eligibility requirements, including formal education, subsequent supervised practice in professional clinical anaplastology, passing of the examination, and demonstration of a depth and breadth of knowledge appropriate for effective practice in the profession of anaplastology. In order to maintain certification through BCCA, credentialed individuals are required to comply with the BCCA Code of Conduct and Administrative Procedures and the continuing education standards as set forth by the Board of Directors
What are NCCA and ICE?
The BCCA certification program is based on standards established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). These standards are used by a variety of certification programs and licensing bodies in many diverse professions and occupations.
The NCCA is the accreditation body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). A certification program can be accredited by the NCCA if it demonstrates compliance with the NCCA accreditation standards. ICE, the parent body of the NCCA, is a membership organization open to groups interested in competency assurance. The NCCA, along with ICE, are recognized leaders in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public. ICE, under its former name of NOCA was established under the Carter administration in 1977.
Benefits, Policies, Standards, Guidelines & Complaints
Benefits of Certification
The Value of the Certified Clinical Anaplastologist (CCA) Designation
CCA is formal recognition for entry-level anaplastologist professionals who have met rigorous and demanding eligibility requirements, including formal education, subsequent supervised practice in a clinical setting, and passing of the examination.
The CCA demonstrates healthcare-specific competency and a commitment to consumer safety by health professionals who provide patients with customized prosthetic rehabilitation. The prostheses are designed and fabricated to normalize the appearance of the face or body impacted by congenital malformation, traumatic injury, disease or ablative surgery.
Professionals who earn the CCA designation have the clinical skills and knowledge to design and fabricate life-like and functional soft tissue prostheses including facial and other external somatic prostheses as well as ocular prostheses.
The CCA is typically employed in medical practice settings such as university hospital settings, dental clinics and prosthetics specialty practices.
Why Should Qualified Anaplastologists Apply for Certification?
• This credential demonstrates a depth and breadth of knowledge necessary for effective practice in the profession of anaplastology.
• The public deserves assurance of competency and adherence to a code of ethics in our specialized field.
• CCA is preferred or required by some employers.
• Certification is required by governmental bodies for non-physician providers.
• Certification demonstrates a level of commitment to your profession and lifelong learning.
Policy of Confidentiality and Non Discrimination
Non Discrimination
The BCCA does not discriminate against any candidate for certification on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, sexual orientation, military discharge status or source of income, or any other status protected by law. All candidates for certification will be judged solely on the criteria determined by the BCCA Board of Directors.
Confidentiality
The Board is committed to protecting confidential and/or proprietary information related to applicants, candidates, certificants, and the examination development, maintenance, and administration process. The confidentiality policy applies to all BCCA employees, board members, committee members, consultants, and other individuals who are permitted access to confidential information.
Confidential materials include, but are not limited to;an individual’s application, application status, personal applicant/certificant information, examination development documentation, examination items and answers, examination forms, and individual examination scores.
Personal information about a candidate/certificant will only be released to that candidate/certificant if release of the information is authorized in writing by the individual or is required by law. Personal information submitted by candidates /certificants with an application or recertification application is considered confidential. Personal information retained within the candidate/certificant database will be kept confidential.
Examination scores are released only to the examination candidate unless a signed release is provided in writing by the individual or is required by law.
Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Purpose of the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology Code of Ethics
The clinical anaplastologist has an obligation to demonstrate actions that reflect professional values, ethical principles, and ethical guidelines. The Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology Code of Ethics sets forth these values and principles to guide conduct. It clarifies the social contract that dictates the profession’s responsibilities to the patient/client, the public, and the profession; and upholds the fundamental principle that the paramount purpose of the services of clinical anaplastologists shall be to benefit the patient/client.
Practice Guidelines in Certified Clinical Anaplastology
The Scope of Practice statement describes the role of the clinical anaplastologist as a member of the health care team. This scope of practice is a “living” document that will evolve as the health care industry changes and technology expands.
I. Professional Scope of Practice
Clinical anaplastology is a systematic process that provides patients with prosthetic rehabilitation designed and fabricated to normalize the appearance of parts of the face and body impacted by congenital malformation, traumatic injury, disease, or ablative surgery. The specific processes inherent to the professional practice of clinical anaplastology include, but are not limited to:
- assessment of patient information/needs
- patient communication and management
- formulation of prosthetic treatment plan
- performance of clinical, technical and artistic procedures for prosthetic fabrication
- development and implementation of quality assurance procedures
- documentation and practice management
II. Parameters of Profession
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Clinical anaplastology differs from prosthetics and orthotics in that the emphasis is on camouflage of the affected abnormal anatomy. The desired goal of any camouflage device or prosthesis is to assist in restoring optimal function and aesthetics.
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Clinical anaplastology is a transdisciplinary health care service drawing upon art, science, medicine and technology applied to prosthetic rehabilitation.
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Clinical anaplastology encompasses the subspecialty areas of custom-made facial, ocular and somatic prosthetics, as well as other emerging fields.
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Certification is considered the standard of practice in clinical anaplastology.
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Clinical anaplastology excludes intra-oral prosthetics and prosthetic devices that recreate the mobility or functionality of weight bearing limbs.
III. Underlying Values:
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Treatment of patients requiring prostheses is delivered within a caring and supportive private office, clinical, and/or hospital environment.
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Clinical anaplastologists will adhere to the scope of practice and refer clients to the appropriate qualified health care provider when indicated.
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Clinical anaplastologists will provide patients with clear and realistic goals and expectations.
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Clinical anaplastologists will represent their education, training, qualifications and abilities honestly and function within the limitations of their education, skills, and credentials.
IV. Clinical Anaplastologist Scope of Practice
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Treatment of patients requiring prostheses is delivered within a caring and supportive private office, clinical, and/or hospital environment.
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Clinical anaplastologists will adhere to the scope of practice and refer clients to the appropriate qualified health care provider when indicated.
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Clinical anaplastologists will provide patients with clear and realistic goals and expectations.
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Clinical anaplastologists will represent their education, training, qualifications and abilities honestly and function within the limitations of their education, skills, and credentials.
Disciplinary and Complaints Policy
Purpose of the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology Code of Ethics
n order to maintain and enhance the credibility of the BCCA CCA certification program, the Board of Directors has adopted the following procedures to allow individuals to bring complaints concerning the conduct of CCA certificants’ to the BCCA Board of Directors.
BCCA Policy of Confidentiality and Non Discrimination
Non Discrimination
The BCCA does not discriminate against any candidate for certification on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, sexual orientation, military discharge status or source of income, or any other status protected by law. All candidates for certification will be judged solely on the criteria determined by the BCCA Board of Directors.
Confidentiality
The Board is committed to protecting confidential and/or proprietary information related to applicants, candidates, certificants, and the examination development, maintenance, and administration process. The confidentiality policy applies to all BCCA employees, board members, committee members, consultants, and other individuals who are permitted access to confidential information.
Confidential materials include, but are not limited to;an individual’s application, application status, personal applicant/certificant information, examination development documentation, examination items and answers, examination forms, and individual examination scores.
Personal information about a candidate/certificant will only be released to that candidate/certificant if release of the information is authorized in writing by the individual or is required by law. Personal information submitted by candidates /certificants with an application or recertification application is considered confidential. Personal information retained within the candidate/certificant database will be kept confidential.
Examination scores are released only to the examination candidate unless a signed release is provided in writing by the individual or is required by law.
Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Purpose of the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology Code of Ethics
The clinical anaplastologist has an obligation to demonstrate actions that reflect professional values, ethical principles, and ethical guidelines. The Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology Code of Ethics sets forth these values and principles to guide conduct. It clarifies the social contract that dictates the profession’s responsibilities to the patient/client, the public, and the profession; and upholds the fundamental principle that the paramount purpose of the services of clinical anaplastologists shall be to benefit the patient/client.
See our Code of Ethics, Principles and Interpretative Guidelines
Disciplinary and Complaints Policy
In order to maintain and enhance the credibility of the BCCA CCA certification program, the Board of Directors has adopted the following procedures to allow individuals to bring complaints concerning the conduct of CCA certificants’ to the BCCA Board of Directors.