AACC Point of Care Testing Professional Certification

Hi Janelle,

In case you aren't aware, sitting for the exam means signing off on a nondisclosure. 

I wasn't sure how to prepare. I hadn't had to study in so many years it seemed more than daunting. I started out pulling articles to update myself on analytes/tests that we did not perform at work.  

I decided a study group was the ticket to relieving some of the stress I put on myself to pass the exam. It helped me focus. Stopping work in order to prep for our group talk was easier than when I stop working to have free time because in no way did I want the others down. The online study group shared presenting topics so that was less work and far more enjoyable than just reading alone. And a way to hear 3 other points of view. 

Good luck, Janelle.  

Thank you so much Peggy for responding. Where did u find a study group to help prepare?

Thanks,

Janelle Cabal

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Actually on this listserve for the 1st sitting, the same question you asked came up.

Off the top of my head, I suggested forming an online study group. An energetic POCC jumped on it, set it up using her work platform during work hours. Sadly I knew going in it was the wrong timing at work for me to consider the 1st sitting. But did contribute material/chatting in, as time permitted. Maybe there were 8 or so who called in across the series of calls. I felt the concept was solid, viable, although most of the work did fall to the energetic POCC to 'make it happen'. 

When I pondered taking the exam the 2nd sitting, I decided I'd look for only 3 others. And I asked folks I felt would be willing to rotate presenting/leading that call's assigned topics (based on us using the study outline posted on exam webpage). 

Janelle, maybe consider the online platform you could use to decide how many participants to shoot for. There are free services now that did not exist to the extent they now are ("thank you, COVID19").

To find the other 3, possibly I begged! I knew 1 from the 1st study group and the other 2 personally over years although we are distant geographically. 

Janelle, I don't think folks on this listserve would be upset if you posted a call for interested parties to contact you directly. In other words, include your email address and state "please do not respond to listserve, do not 'me, too'".

The 3 POCCs who responded to my request were absolute gifts handed to me. I sincerely hope you have an equally enjoyable experience. 

I admire all the folks who buckled down and go solo. Of course that is more convenient and has advantages. On the other hand, I can't imagine not having had the bonding opportunity which went far beyond 'studying for an exam'. Your mileage may vary.

Good Luck.

Janelle,

I am interested in sitting for the exam as well.

I love Peggy's suggestion of finding others on this listserve that may want to join in. I would be happy to be one of those people.

Michelle

mewilcox@rrmc.org

Thank you so much Peggy for your help! From your suggestion I've gotten 2 people that have contacted me wanting to form a study group. I really appreciate it!

One more question - are there any books u recommend to help with studying for the exam? Or were they mostly articles you found online? Thank you again for all your help with this!

Thanks!

Janelle Cabal

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Hi Michelle - thank you for reaching out. I'll be contacting you via email shortly.

Thanks,

Janelle Cabal

janellecabal@gmail.com, cabalj@henrymayo.com

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I purchased the AACC Point of Care Specialist certificate program package.  Member price is $265.00.   I found it quite helpful in preparing for the CPP exam.

Deborah Martuch

I haven't looked at the Specialist package program but thought it was a good idea. I'd be interested in joining a group, just not sure how often I would be available.  AACC was also working on a program to help prep for this test but it hasn't come out yet.

Aloha Janell,

The study group was truly a blessing.  I learned way more having a great team to work with as we divided up sections each of us had to be the point person to present/teach to the others.   By dividing up the work-we were able to engage in more real life scenarios and topics that came about from the discussions.

Aloha Shana! Thank you also for your recommendation of study groups to prep for the exam. I appreciate it!

Thanks Deborah for your suggestion. I did take the AACC POC Certificate program recently and wondering if there was anything else besides that that was helpful in prepping for the exam.

Hi Dawn - I can add you to the email group I've gotten started. You can always opt out later if needed.

Thanks everyone!

Janelle Cabal

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Deborah, that's a good idea!

Shana and I were in same study group. Mahalo, Shana!

Two in our study group had taken the Course years before but YAY, had kept their notes. The notes supplemented other material they pulled for their assignments.     

Another resource a couple of us accessed from documents we had/used at work were CLSI POC docs.

Janelle, based on a friend's recommendation I bought Point-of-Care Testing: Principles and Clinical Applications, Peter Luppa, Ed. I didn't find it as valuable as she did but she got a lot out of it. Know that it's not all USA-based. I also used Tietz Fundamentals of Clin Chem & Molecular Diagnostics, 7th Ed, Burtis & Bruns which includes review questions. I don't know what the difference is with Tietz Fundamentals of Clin Chem & Molecular Diagnostics, 8th Ed, Rifai, Horvath and Wittwer Eds.  Which is different than Tietz Textboook of Clin Chem & Molecular Diagnostics, Rifai, Horvath, Wittwer, Eds. That paragraph is a study group onto itself!

Hi 

also I am thinking to take POC certificate. But I don’t know what I need to study to pass the exam. Please if you will make a group study add me also. Thank u

Thanks Peggy for your suggestions. I appreciate it!

Anfal - please email me your email address and I will add you to the group email I've started. Thanks!

Thanks,

Janelle Cabal

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My email is 

Anfaal93@gmail.com 

Thank u 

My email is 

Anfaal93@gmail.com 

Thank u