New CHEST program offers pulmonary certification for providers
It targets nurse practitioners, PAs interested in treating lung diseases like PH
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The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is launching a first-of-its-kind education and certification program for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants/associates (PAs) who are interested in treating people with lung diseases such as pulmonary hypertension.
CHEST announced the program after completing a comprehensive discovery initiative examining the needs of advanced practice providers (APPs) — licensed medical professionals who have advanced education and training, such as NPs and PAs — who work in care for lung-related disorders.
The initiative, which included surveys of hundreds of APPs and other stakeholders, found that there are gaps and variations in how APPs enter pulmonary care. The new program aims to create a standard path so that these professionals have the tools to effectively care for people with lung diseases.
“The discovery findings confirm what many pulmonary APPs experience every day: There is a need for a recognized pathway that both strengthens our knowledge and validates the benefit we bring to patient care,” said Corinne Young, a member of CHEST’s Pulmonary APP Steering Committee, said in a press release from the organization. “A pulmonary credential provides an opportunity for APPs to demonstrate their specialized knowledge in a meaningful, standardized way. That recognition matters to APPs, to the physicians and health systems we work alongside, and, ultimately, to the patients who rely on us.”
Program will provide skills needed for pulmonary care
CHEST will be working with APPs, physicians, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders to develop the new program. The goal is to make a program that provides APPs with the knowledge, skills, tasks, and judgment needed for pulmonary care, alongside a framework for maintaining the certification.
“APPs are increasingly important members of pulmonary care teams, helping practices expand capacity, maintain continuity of care, and meet the needs of patients with complex respiratory disease. As that role continues to grow, physicians need confidence that the clinicians working alongside them have a strong foundation in pulmonary medicine,” said Frank Leone, MD, a member of the Pulmonary APP Steering Committee and professor of medicine at Penn Medicine. “A standardized educational pathway paired with a certification process can help establish that shared foundation, support more consistent onboarding, and strengthen the entire pulmonary care team.”
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