STARTING YOUR CAREER IN MEDICAL SERVICES

Build your foundation and connect with the community.

Starting out can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. NAMSS offers resources designed to help you quickly gain knowledge, confidence, and support.

Connect & Learn from Others (Start Here)

Engaging with peers is one of the fastest ways to learn and feel supported. Members from across the country can connect via the Connection Zone.

• Discussion Forums: Ask questions, share experiences, and learn from seasoned professionals
• Library: Share and discover new information to stay up-to-date on your knowledge of the medical services industry.
• Mentorship Program: Get guidance from experienced MSPs or connect with others navigating similar challenges by enrolling in the program.

👉 Call to Action: Join the Connection Zone | Explore the Mentorship Program

Core Learning Resources

Build your foundational knowledge with NAMSS education tools and materials.

Introductory Courses

• Credentialing 100 – Online Course

  • A precursor to Credentialing 101, this course is designed for MSPs new to the field of credentialing. Typically, new MSPs learn their jobs on the fly, but in an era of new technologies, complex legal issues, updated processes, and multiple key players, the profession, regardless of someone’s stage in their professional lifecycle, has become much more complex. This interactive course addresses the basic aspects of credentialing and explains why they are important, helping those new to the profession understand the value of their role and its impact on their medical setting. In Credentialing 100, participants will explore medical staff credentialing services in today’s diverse healthcare industry. They will learn the fundamentals of their profession, discovering the Who, What, Where and Why of credentialing and the essential role credentialing professionals play in patient safety and ensuring a quality healthcare experience. Please note: This online course is designed as entirely virtual module. While it does include additional resources that you can print out, the course material is not printable.

• Credentialing 101 - Live Course (Virtual)
  • This course will present the foundational elements of credentialing in an acute care (hospital) setting with a primary focus on the CMS regulatory standards and The Joint Commission accreditation standards, as well as how and when to apply them. This course is a must-attend for anyone new to the field and is an excellent refresher for current MSPs who want to enhance their knowledge of credentialing. 
• MSP Roles and Responsibilities - Online Course

  • The healthcare environment has become increasingly diverse and complex with new technologies and an increasing variety of legal requirements. Designed for medical services professionals (MSP) who are new to the profession, this on-demand online course explores how the MSP role has evolved in recent years. Participants will examine their responsibilities from numerous points of view in medical settings, pinpointing the challenges, opportunities, and key issues involved in the job. Upon completing this course, MSPs will learn how to clearly articulate who they are and how their work impacts the medical environment. MSP Roles and Responsibilities explores the natural synergies of CVOs, hospitals, and managed care organizations. Participants will examine how each player interacts, defining the roles, partnerships, and possible conflicts that may arise.

• CPCS® Exam Preparation - In-person, Virtual  & On-demand Options
  • Now that you've been an MSP for a while, are you ready to become a Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS®)?  A CPCS® is typically employed or contracted by a healthcare organization including, but not limited to, hospitals (health systems), health plans, ambulatory care settings, group practices, and credentialing verification organizations.  A CPCS is an integral part of a credentialing team. You can learn more about what it takes to become CPCS® Certified here. 

NAMSS currently offers a variety of printable, online, and live facilitated programs aimed at helping candidates study for an exam.*

*The CCN does not develop, administer, sponsor, endorse, or financially benefit from any type of exam review, preparatory course or published materials related to the content of the certification examinations. The purchase and/or use of any exam preparation material does not guarantee a passing score on the exam.

👉 Call to Action: Explore the NAMSS Education Zone!

Helpful Tools and Resources

• NAMSS Comparison of Accreditation Standards
  • Have you ever been confused by what an accreditation standard is actually asking you to do? The NAMSS Comparison of Accreditation Standards can help, providing you with “plain-language” interpretations of the credentialing standards for The Joint Commission, NCQA, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, DNV, URAC, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, as well as the Medicare Conditions of Participation. The comparison presents each of these interpretations in a side-by-side format so you can compare the requirements of each agency. This resource is great for those new to the field of credentialing who are starting to learn more about the standards. *This resource is published as an online document. It will be available and printable from the NAMSS Online Education Center. This product will not be shipped to you.
• NAMSS Glossary of Terms
  • The NAMSS Interactive Glossary is the comprehensive listing of more than 300 terms, definitions and organizational acronyms that are fundamental to those working in the medical staff services profession. This easily accessible reference is available both online and as a downloadable PDF
• MSP Resource Toolkits
  • NAMSS provides MSPs with resources and tools to advocate for their essential role as gatekeepers of patient safety, showcase their experience, grow transformational skills, and prepare for the future of the profession and the healthcare industry to become Tomorrow’s MSP®.

👉 Call to Action: Explore and Utilize Our Resources!

Strengthen your expertise and expand your opportunities.

As you gain experience, NAMSS provides pathways to help you deepen your knowledge, increase your impact, and advance professionally.

Certification & Professional Development

Earning a NAMSS certification demonstrates your expertise and commitment to excellence.

• CPCS® – Credentialing
• CPMSM® – Medical services management
• CPES – Provider enrollment

👉 Call to Action: Explore Certifications | Get Started

Expand Your Network & Involvement

Stay connected and continue learning through:

• Connect with your state association
• Volunteer on a NAMSS committee
• Apply to be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) or Instructor

👉 Call to Action: Explore Our State Associations | Learn More About Committee Volunteering | Apply to be a SME or Instructor

Continue Learning

• Advanced courses and specialty education
• Updates on regulations, compliance, and best practices
• Hands-on learning through real-world applications

👉 Call to Action: Browse Advanced Education

Take the next step and shape the future of the profession.

NAMSS offers opportunities to help experienced MSPs step into leadership roles and make a broader impact.

Leadership Development Programs and Courses

• Leadership Certificate Program (LCP):  Build skills that are key to leading organized and productive teams as well as in addressing challenging MSP-related healthcare issues.
• Foundations of Medical Services Management (FMSM): A four-week, interactive live virtual course that provides you the opportunity to identify, discuss, and problem-solve the biggest challenges you face today.
• Tomorrow’s Leaders Program (TLP): Build key leadership skills and prepare for future leadership roles within NAMSS.

👉 Call to Action: Learn More about TLP | Learn More about LCP | Learn More about FMSM

Lead Through Contribution

• Apply to TLP
• Serve as a committee member
• Become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) or instructor

👉 Call to Action: Explore NAMSS Leadership Opportunities

Mentor & Give Back

Support the next generation of MSPs while strengthening your own leadership skills.

• Enroll as a mentor
• Contribute to education and training
• Help advance the profession

👉 Call to Action: Enroll as a Mentor