Members Only | 01.23.24
NAMSS Professional Development Council Supports MSPs’ Educational Goals
By Aimee Woolley-Randall, BA, MHA, CPCS, CPMSM, FMSP
People often view the new year as a new beginning because it marks the start of a fresh calendar year. It provides an opportunity for people to reflect on the past year, set new goals, and make resolutions for positive changes in their lives. It is also a time to look ahead and build a plan for success, both personally and professionally, either by advancing your career, gaining new knowledge or skills, or taking the time to recharge with family and friends. As my time serving on different NAMSS committees came to an end in 2023, it was a chance for me to reflect on the work and successful accomplishments I have had the opportunity to be part of in service to NAMSS and its members, which has included the Professional Development Council (PDC).
In 2021, I had the immense privilege to serve as NAMSS President, working with members of the MSP community to advance NAMSS’ presence in the industry. In response to NAMSS’ 2021–2024 Strategic Plan, the Board of Directors approved the restructuring of the NAMSS Education Committee by creating the PDC. The PDC was created to oversee and support NAMSS’ desire to grow our education portfolio, be nimbler in making changes and ensure better alignment of education initiatives with our strategic plan. Additionally, several new subcommittees were formed and designed to provide additional volunteer opportunities to NAMSS members who desire to support all of the work that the Education Committee had been doing up to this point, while ensuring that NAMSS was well positioned for continued growth in the future. These committees and subcommittees include:
- Accreditation Subcommittee: Oversees the NAMSS Accreditation Center.
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) Committee: Oversees SME and instructor recruitment, instructor course assignments, and updates the Accreditation Grid of Standards.
- Conference Committee: Determines the educational content of the NAMSS Educational Conference based upon member/attendee needs and industry technology and trends.
- Education Committee: Manages the NAMSS webinar calendar and oversees educational courses, products, and resources.
- Courses Subcommittee: Oversees NAMSS educational courses.
Products & Resources Subcommittee: Oversees educational products and resources.
What began as a pilot initiative has grown into a very successful structure that will be continued in 2024. As the inaugural chair of the PDC, to see all that has been accomplished 2021–2023 as part of the PDC workplan is staggering. NAMSS continues to produce education with a focus toward new topics and programs based on member feedback, including hosting its third Provider Enrollment Webinar Series, creating a Provider Enrollment Glossary, as well as a MSP New Hire Onboarding Checklist. Over the past three years, NAMSS has worked diligently to continue providing the necessary training and education MSPs needed post-pandemic, transitioning its courses online, and supporting the role of Tomorrow’s MSP.
Thanks to the hard work of the PDC, its subcommittees, and NAMSS staff, NAMSS has all your educational needs covered. NAMSS will continue to offer its core educational programs for certification prep virtually with courses scheduled throughout the year in alignment with the CPCS® and CPMSM® exam testing windows. In 2023, 530 MSPs accessed the CPCS® prep course and 137 MSPs accessed the CPMSM® prep course across their virtual, in-person, and on-demand formats. Additionally, NAMSS will continue to offer monthly curated webinars throughout the year on a variety of topics that meet your needs from the convenience of your home or office, offering 12 free CEs to NAMSS members.
In looking ahead to the fall and coming off a successful 2023 conference in Orlando, Florida, I am excited to welcome MSPs to my home state of Colorado for NAMSS 48th Educational Conference & Exhibition at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 29–Oct. 2, 2024, in Denver. This year’s conference promises to meet all your expectations, so come prepared to connect with fellow MSPs and enjoy all Denver has to offer.
Finally, on behalf of the Professional Development Council and everyone at NAMSS, we are excited for the year to come and to be a part of your MSP journey. NAMSS is here to provide the education you need to achieve your educational goals in 2024.
Aimee Woolley-Randall, BA, MHA, CPCS, CPMSM, FMSP, is a NAMSS Past President and a past chair and member of the NAMSS Professional Development Council.