WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE AS AN ON-SITE EVALUATOR FOR ABHES?

The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) encourages qualified educators and practitioners to serve as volunteer reviewers on institutional and programmatic visitation teams. The peer evaluator role is critical to the accreditation process and specialists in numerous healthcare disciplines are invited to participate.

Individuals possessing leadership abilities and experience in school management, including the review of student outcomes, may serve as Administrative Team Leaders. Individuals possessing expertise in fields such as Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Health Information Technology, Nursing, and Distance Education, among others,  may serve as Program Specialists.  (See the Evaluator Application for a list of specialty areas.)

Evaluators are called upon to participate in approximately one to four site visits per year, depending upon need and availability.  All approved travel expenses incurred during the site visit are reimbursed, and a small honorarium is provided in appreciation of the evaluator’s service and commitment.

While serving as an evaluator requires time away from work and home, the benefits of participating in on-site accreditation visits are immeasurable for the participating evaluators, their home institutions, and the institutions being visited.  Not only does the training and participation heighten one’s level of awareness and understanding of accreditation requirements — it also provides the ability to observe from the inside how other institutions and programs operate. Participating on an evaluation team is an invaluable experience.

If you are interested in serving as an on-site evaluator for ABHES, please review the Education, Experience and Training Requirements tab; and submit a completed ABHES Evaluator Application and a current resume or curriculum vitae to evaluator@abhes.org.  Once all required documents are processed, evaluators will be contacted regarding upcoming training opportunities.

Thank you for your consideration; we appreciate your willingness to serve as an on-site evaluator for ABHES.

 

ABHES EVALUATOR REQUIREMENTS

The importance of the commitment you have made to serve ABHES as a volunteer evaluator, whether in the capacity of Program Specialist or Administrative Team Leader, cannot be understated.  As a peer reviewer, you are an essential part of the accreditation process. You are the eyes and ears of the ABHES Commission. You represent ABHES; and, what you say and do, and your abilities as an evaluator, are reflective of ABHES.  ABHES is committed to ensuring that each evaluator has the necessary background and experience, and thorough training, to perform this important function.

Administrative Team Leaders

  • At least two years of related education management experience
  • Knowledge of and ability to review: student refunds, clock/credit hour conversion and allocation, satisfactory academic progress, program effectiveness plans (PEP); and general compliance with federal regulations required to be evaluated by accrediting agencies.
  • Suggested previous service on-site visits with ABHES or other recognized accrediting agencies
  • ABHES Evaluator Training, including the Core Training and Advanced Evaluator Training: Administrative Team Leader

Program Specialists

  • At least two years of related experience in the specialty area
  • Appropriate educational background
  • Credentialing in the field, as applicable
  • Evidence of teaching or development of curriculum, or service as a practitioner
  • Evidence of currency in the field through active participation in the profession
  • ABHES Evaluator Training, including the Core Training

Associate Degree Reviewers

  • ABHES Program Specialist qualifications above, as applicable
  • Bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Baccalaureate Degree Reviewers

  • Earned doctorate, professional degree (such as a J.D. or M.D.), or master’s degree from an institution/program accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  • A minimum of five years of experience instructing, advising and evaluating students at the bachelor’s level; or, program administration and supervision of faculty at the bachelor’s level
  • Knowledge of educational methods and experience in the review, evaluation, and assessment of programs at the bachelor’s level including curriculum, educational resources, and student services
  • ABHES Evaluator Training, including the including the Core Training and Advanced Evaluator Training: Baccalaureate Degree

Master’s Degree Reviewers

  • Earned doctorate, professional degree (such as a J.D. or M.D.), or master’s degree from an institution/program accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  • A minimum of three years of experience instructing, advising and evaluating students at the master’s level; or, program administration and supervision of faculty at the master’s level
  • Knowledge of educational methods and experience in the review, evaluation, and assessment of programs at the master’s level, including curriculum and educational resources
  • Scholarly research
  • ABHES Evaluator Training, including the including the Core Training and Advanced Evaluator Training: Master’s Degree

Distance Education Specialists

  • At least two years of instructional experience in, or development or evaluation of, distance education program
  • ABHES Evaluator Training, including the Core Training and Advanced Evaluator Training: Distance Education

Surgical Technology Program Specialists

  • Current service as a practitioner
  • Program Specialist qualifications above, specific to Surgical Technology
  • ABHES Evaluator Training, including the Core Training and Advanced Evaluator Training: Surgical Technology

ABHES conducts visits both in-person and virtually.

In-person visits are conducted at the institution being visited and require an evaluator to travel to different states to be on-site with the team.  To participate in an in-person visit, evaluators must:

  • meet the above education, experience, and training requirements specific to the role they are filling on the visit; and
  • have reasonable access to an airport and should be comfortable flying.

Virtual visits are conducted using video or web conferencing allowing for synchronous communication among the participants and a visual display of documents.  To participate in a virtual visit, evaluators must:

  • meet the above education, experience, and training requirements specific to the role they are filling on the visit;
  • meet the technology requirements for a virtual visit;
  • complete the Advanced Evaluator Training: Virtual Visits; and
  • successfully complete a virtual visit training test.

Training workshops are offered several times a year, in conjunction with the National Conference on Allied Health Education and education conferences, and online as needed. To view and register for upcoming training opportunities, click here. Workshops are complementary for qualified participants; however, travel expenses are not reimbursed.

If you are interested in serving as an on-site evaluator for ABHES, please review the information under the Become an Evaluator tab, which provides links to the required evaluator forms found in the Evaluator Packet.

Thank you for your willingness to share your expertise and contribute to the peer accreditation process.