Why We Believe in the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA)
Patient advocates play a vital role in promoting patient-centered care, improving healthcare outcomes, and ensuring that patients receive the support and resources they need to navigate the healthcare continuum effectively.
BISA sees the value of well-trained patient advocates in the healthcare space. As an organization, our members are proud to adhere to the BCPA professional code of ethics.
What is a Board Certified Patient Advocate?
The main difference between a patient advocate and a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) lies in their level of training, certification and commitment to ethics. This BCPA certification signifies that the individual has met certain standards of knowledge and competency in the field, and is committed to upholding ethical standards in their work.
How can you become a Board Certified Patient Advocate?
All candidates must:
Apply to the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB) and be approved for eligibility
Provide two letters of recommendation
Possess a bachelor’s degree or higher OR equivalent experience with appropriate evidence
Successful pass of the board exam
The board exam costs roughly $400. Board Certified Patient Advocates (BCPAs) must renew every three years and must participate in continuing education hours to renew their certification.
Why did BISA members invest in the BCPA certification?
BISA is strongly committed to ethics and professional responsibility. We also engage in critical conversations and collaborations. The training garnered through board certification helps us honor our values and act more effectively on behalf of patients.
Maria’s Why
Maria Gmitro, BCPA
“I found a great deal of misinformation on websites and social media related to breast implant surgery where there are significant potential conflicts of interest that could mislead a consumer or patient.
As a former educator with a Master’s degree in instructional technology, I knew BISA needed to be part of the solution.
BISA’s goal is to be a trusted source and provide balanced information about breast implants for informed choices.
I became a Board Certified Patient Advocate to further my education and to lead the BISA organization with professional integrity and a commitment to the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Board Certified Patient Advocates.”
Laura’s Why
Laura Willging, RN, BCPA
“I wanted to broaden my professional scope related to patient-centered healthcare integration. I wanted to level up and challenge my understanding of patient advocacy to foster more balance and effectiveness when supporting patients.
Nursing is a discipline, and BCPA education is like frosting on the cake. It broadened the scope of patient healthcare interfaces with an emphasis on supporting the patient, educating, encouraging autonomy, and navigating often complex situations. Some focus areas include patient rights, acts/laws, ethics, and care with transitions. This certification opened doors to additional professional networking opportunities and plentiful resources.
A BCPA serves as more than a patient navigator, aiming to improve patient and healthcare provider interactions and relationships overall. In my opinion, when BCPA support is in place, healthcare providers and insurers can realize added value.
By promoting the mutual goal of patient safety, a BCPA reduces medical errors and readmissions, which benefits both the economy and the health. With specialized attention to detail and an external perspective, a BCPA can be a useful patient support and healthcare team member.”
Heidi’s Why
Heidi Rolfs, RN, BCPA
“I’m passionate about helping people navigate the healthcare continuum to achieve their best outcomes. I chose to pursue the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) because I believe the public and our healthcare system will benefit from those who carry this credential, and I’m proud to be a part of that. Having worked in various healthcare settings, I’ve always advocated for my patients. This certification brings additional credibility and opportunities.
When pursuing the certification, I was particularly interested in the information on healthcare finance, medical billing, claims, and access to care. Other BCPA areas of interest to me relate to healthcare laws, policies, and regulations. This has been eye-opening and has provided additional knowledge on how to work with legislators and advocate at the local and national level for matters like patient safety, equity, and access to care.
I believe it’s important that those working in healthcare understand what a BCPA can offer. This credential involves empowering patients as well as supporting healthcare providers. As an RN, I’ve seen the heavy load on physicians as they work to care for their patients in a demanding and complex environment. I hope that we can work together for a top-quality patient experience. With the BCPA credential, I have the knowledge and resources to help ease that workload by providing patients with education and resources that are supportive in the navigation of their healthcare.”
The PAC Board certifies patient advocates. Regardless of certification status, all of BISA’s advocates are committed to the following:
→ Practice compassion and respect for all patients and consumers
→ Respect a patient's right to privacy and confidentiality
→ Commit to best practices and professional education
→ Foster informed decision-making by providing balanced, scientific information and resources
→ Respect and honor an individual’s values and choices to promote autonomy and empowerment
→ Consider health literacy and language when providing information for informed decision-making
→ Acknowledge or disclose any known conflicts of interest
→ Respect diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice
→ Practice cultural sensitivity and strive to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity
Read more about BISA’s mission and vision.
Additional Resources & References
About Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA)
The Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA) is the largest organization of board-certified patient advocates and subject matter experts in the world dedicated to patient and consumer safety relating to breast implants. Representing the millions of individuals worldwide who currently have, had, or are considering breast implants, the alliance is a non-industry-funded leading authority dedicated to providing balanced, evidence-based information for informed decision-making about breast implant surgery and related issues. Founded in 2019 by women, BISA is a grassroots nonprofit organization led by volunteers who do not receive a salary for their work.
Contact: Maria Gmitro, President | maria@bisanonprofit.org