# data[].attributes.body
The goal of the Joint Commission is to improve healthcare nationwide by ensuring that patients receive the best quality treatment and care across all healthcare settings.
An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.
The Joint Commission’s mission is to deliver safe and effective treatment of the highest quality and best value to American citizens.

# data[].attributes.body
Accreditation by The Joint Commission strengthens your patient safety and quality efforts, and shows your commitment to continuous improvement.

# data[].attributes.headline
Who is Accredited and the Date of Inception

# data[].attributes.subject
Who is Accredited and the Date of Inception

# data[].attributes.body
Joint Commission accreditation can be earned by many types of health care organizations, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, office-based surgery centers, behavioral health treatment facilities, and providers of home care services.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.

# data[].attributes.body
The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

# data[].attributes.headline
Preparation period for accreditation under JCAHO

# data[].attributes.subject
Preparation period for accreditation under JCAHO

# data[].attributes.body
To earn and maintain The Gold Seal of Approval® from The Joint Commission an organization must undergo an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years. (Laboratories must be surveyed every two years).

# data[].attributes.body
-Ambulatory Care Accreditation
-Behavioral Healthcare Accreditation
-Critical Access Hospital Accreditation
-Home Care Accreditation
-Hospital Accreditation
-Laboratory Services Accreditation
-Nursing Care Center Accreditation
-Office Based Surgery Accreditation

# data[].attributes.body
-(CHES) Certified Health Education Specialist
- (MCHES) Master Certified Health Education Specialist

# data[].attributes.body
- To become a certified health education specialist (CHES), a health educator must pass a competency-based exam administered by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC). To take the CHES® exam, you'll need an undergraduate or graduate degree in a health education discipline, e.g., Public Health, or Community Health from an accredited school "OR" a related field with 25 or more credits specifically devoted to health education and promotion.
(Please note you do not have to be CHES® prior to becoming MCHES® as long as you meet the eligibility requirements).
-To take the MCHES®  exam, you'll need a master's degree or five years of experience working as a CHES. Applicants for the MCHES®  exam must complete all 25 semester hours/37 quarter hours of coursework that clearly align with the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Educators.
Registration Fees:
Non-refundable application fee-$100
CHES®exam- $335
MCHES® exam- $385

# data[].attributes.body
-CHES® and MCHES® are:

Independent Critical Thinkers

Highly qualified and confident on the Job

Up-to-Date in Knowledge and Expertise

Committed to the Profession

# data[].attributes.body
CHES®: Exam content covers the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists essential to the entry-level practice and delivery of health education and promotion.
The CHES® exam is :

designed for individuals in the early stages of their career

validated by a comprehensive job analysis study that identified entry-level Competencies for health education specialists- testing you on what is relevant in the profession

designed for health education specialists who select participants and deliver training

designed for health education specialists who identify existing data collection instruments for program evaluation

MCHES®: Focuses on advanced skills to demonstrate leadership roles. Specifically, the MCHES® credential is hierarchical, meaning that MCHES® are competent in all entry-level (CHES®) skills, in addition to more advanced-level skills

The MCHES® exam is:

designed for experienced specialists with at least five years of experience

validated by a comprehensive job analysis that identified advanced-level Competencies and Sub-competencies for experienced health education specialists

designed for health education specialists responsible for developing and managing budgets, and applying ethical principles

designed for health education specialists responsible for identifying staff development and training needs

designed for health education specialists who develop and monitor strategic plans

# data[].attributes.headline
The importance of the CHES credential to the hospital organization or practice

# data[].attributes.subject
The importance of the CHES credential to the hospital organization or practice

# data[].attributes.body
Establishes a national standard of practice for all health education specialists

Attests to the individual health education specialists' knowledge and skills

Assists employers in identifying qualified health education practitioners

Develops a sense of pride and accomplishment among certified health education specialists

Promotes continued professional development for health education specialists