After completing five years of post-grad practice, Clinical Social Workers may apply for BCD certification in order to demonstrate professional competence. In the profession of Clinical Social Work, the Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD) is the premier advanced-generalist practice certification. Those who hold it have met the highest standards in the areas of clinical education, training, and experience, as recognized by payor systems, courts, other professionals, and consumers.
The BCD certification, attesting to advanced generalist practice, enables its holders to enjoy the following benefits:
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Professional Prestige: The BCD embodies the highest national certification standards for advanced generalists. It is widely recognized as a hallmark of quality, and reinforces the standing of the entire discipline of Clinical Social Work. Its standards cross all state lines and exceed state-licensing standards. Licensure protects the public from harm; the BCD distinguishes clinicians for high levels of practice competence.
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Visibility and Recognition: Employers, hospitals, agencies, insurance companies, managed care organizations (Value Options, Inc., foremost), EAPs, the military, the Veterans Administration, and others use the BCD Directory to identify clinicians as reimbursable providers, consultants, and potential employees. The BCD also confers distinction in court and university settings.
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Reimbursement and Bonuses: Clients and delivery systems seeking a higher level of quality and risk-assurance tend to seek out BCD clinicians. The unique annual recertification requirement gives payors and employers good reason to extend preference to them. In some practice settings, the BCD clinician’s certification costs are reimbursed; in others, the BCD clinician is given workplace preferences, including better pay. In the U.S. uniformed services and in the Veterans Administration, BCD Clinical Social Workers are eligible for high levels of “professional pay.”
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Client Confidence: The public identifies BCD Clinician Social Workers as competent, experienced, and current in practice, state licensure, and continuing clinical education.
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Professional Liability Insurance: BCD clinicians qualify for liability insurance at a preferred rate (a 10% discount applies for full-time practice) including highly desirable occurrence coverage in a program offered by Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO).
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BCD Directory: BCD practitioners are readily identified through the OnLine BCD Directory. It permits high-speed searches of the BCD database by a broad range of characteristics. Results may be downloaded to offer referral and contracting opportunities to BCD clinicians from fellow professionals and from insurers and payors. The connection to the BCD directory is offered gratis to user/payor systems nationwide and to the public.
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Services & Support: ABE sets and safeguards national standards and awards and promotes the BCD and certifications in Clinical Supervision, Practice with Children & Their Families, and Psychoanalysis. ABE conducts a vigorous marketing program and publishes on clinical topics and sends out email blasts. ABE offers discount benefits and CE opportunities for its certificants and intervenes with payor systems and other entities.
The BCD is complemented by ABE’s certifications in Practice with Children & Their Families, Clinical Supervision, and Psychoanalysis. Those who hold the BCD are eligible to achieve these certifications at a discount and through a convenient process in which many of the qualifications will already have been met.
To visit the application page click here.
