By Judith Shemkovitz, LPC, BCC, and Carolanne Hauck, MA, BCC
Do you remember feeling somewhat nervous when you prepared for your 50-minute interview for certification? Maybe you were extremely nervous! In March of this year a one-hour conference call was offered for certification applicants scheduled for May 2013 interviews. The call was offered with the idea that perhaps some education about expectations, details, and the process itself would enable applicants to feel better prepared and less nervous for their interview. More than 40 applicants joined the conference call.
After a hearty welcome, introductions were made and the presentation began. The role of the interviewers was described with an emphasis on the integrity and sacredness that interviewers bring to the process of reading applicants’ materials. The training that interviewers receive in preparation for the work they do on an interview team was shared as well as a brief explanation of the role of each team member. Some time was spent on Presenter’s Report Part I, with a description of how the interviewers formulate the questions that direct the face-to-face interview.
The second part of the presentation focused on the day of the interview, from time of arrival, including when to arrive at the interview location, reviewing Presenter’s Report Part I in preparation for discussion with the Interview Team, the role of each member of the Interview Team, how the dialogue portion of the interview flows, what occurs during the team’s deliberation, presentation of Presenter’s Report Part II, and the next steps, including the Certification Commission’s action.
Finally, those participating in the conference call were given the opportunity to pose questions and request additional information or clarification of the process.
Comments sent to the NACC office staff suggest that the presentation was beneficial and gave those applicants preparing for certification interviews a good understanding of what to expect.
Part of the NACC’s mission is to provide education to members so we plan to offer this opportunity in the future.
Judith A. Shemkovitz, chair of the NACC’s Certification Commission, is spiritual care and volunteer coordinator at the Hospice Care Center for the Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio. Carolanne B. Hauck, lead Interview Team Educator (ITE), is chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, PA.
