Scene from a classroom
“The person who is waiting for something to turn up might start with their shirt sleeves.” — Garth Henrichs
It’s a fact: Students won’t see the differences between certifications if they can’t see them in action. You know this from your own experience as an ASEP faculty member. It is self-evident in the few official sites that offer the examination. So how do the ASEP leaders create a clear and simple connection between the ASEP Board Certification (the EPC exam) and exercise physiology?
Picture this: It’s Monday afternoon and you’re headed for the classroom to talk about the EPC exam. As you walk towards the front of the class, you’re thinking, “Hmmm. Where do I begin?” As soon as you have come to a stop in front of the class, you start looking at the students and begin saying, “The EPC exam is a board certification that earns the candidate the professional title, Exercise Physiologist.” It holds the EPC accountable to the ASEP code of ethics and standards of practice. The exercise physiologist is therefore held accountable in the practice of exercise physiology. Held to a higher standard, the EPC exercise physiologist is recognized for his/her credibility and integrity as a healthcare professional.”
“Hmmm,” you think, “Accountability and credibility!” Both are important to professional development. Now that you sense being on the right track, you’re excited about the upcoming EPC exam, and you start to ask questions, “How many are you planning on sitting for the exam this Friday?” Slowly the hands pop up. In back of the classroom, you hear Greg say, “I am.” And others do the same. By the time a few minutes pass, 80% of the class has committed to taking the test. You think that’s good, but wonder a bit: “Why isn’t Tara, Erin, and Beth taking the test?” It’s a decision on their part that doesn’t make sense to you.
In many ways, in the “real” world of exercise physiology, there are very few EPCs. The differences between a fitness certification and a professional certification have not been discussed beyond the walls of the classroom. However unsettling, the reality sets in and forces you to push even harder. “Hello students, wake up. It is important to sit for this test while you are academically prepared. Typically, people wait until they forget much of what they learned in school and, of course, life becomes filled with all kinds of others issues and concerns. With any luck, taking the test now is your best shot for success.
Yes, the painful truth is that most people in the public sector do not yet know about the value and importance of the EPC certification. And, yes, there are exercise physiologists who argue that the certification is meaningless. It’s obvious they are not ASEP members. Worst of all, they are entirely out of touch with the reality of the 21st century view of exercise physiology. In fact, they are so lost in the inertia of traditional sports medicine thinking, it is essentially correct to believe they will remain that way the rest of their lives.
Those of us who are willing to look to the future, on the other hand, tend to think students like change. The belief that everything will remain as it always has been is a myth. Change is good. Change is inevitable. Change is expected of professionals, as well as growth. There’s no substitute for it. In fact, if you observe other healthcare professionals, you know that change is a good thing. Maybe we better do some serious thinking in this regards. “Hello, students, try to resist the temptation to side with non-ASEP members. Try to resist the temptation to jump to any conclusions until you’ve talked to an ASEP member.” In short, think…think about your future and what it means to be a professional.