Why You Should Get Your Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS)

Posted by liaison on November 6th, 2023 Posted in: #CC/Academic List, #Health Interest List, #Health Sciences List, #Public/K-12 List, Blog, Opportunity to participate

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Please note: This post was written by Bobbi Newman and originally shared on Region 6’s blog, Midwest Matters.

Staying updated with the latest information is crucial for librarians and health professionals. This blog post will explore the Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) and why it’s a valuable credential for public librarians. Earning your CHIS will help you better assist patrons in finding credible health information. This improves the quality of service and builds trust. Earning a CHIS certification goes beyond just acquiring knowledge and skills; it also boosts your comfort and confidence when assisting patrons with health-related inquiries.

About CHIS

Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) is a program designed to equip librarians and information professionals with the knowledge and skills to assist patrons in finding reliable health information. The Medical Library Association (MLA) provides the specialization, and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) offers it to help you earn yours. Earing your CHIS demonstrates your commitment to providing accurate and trustworthy health information to your library’s users.

Benefits

• In-Depth Knowledge: Through CHIS coursework, you delve into various health topics, from collection development policies to aspects of technology and health. This comprehensive understanding allows you to provide accurate information and instills confidence in your ability.
• Effective Communication: CHIS training emphasizes effective communication with patrons, including active listening and empathetic responses. As a result, you’ll feel more comfortable engaging in conversations about sensitive health issues, making patrons feel heard and respected.
• Resourcefulness: CHIS equips you with the skills to locate reliable health information efficiently. Knowing where to find trustworthy resources and how to evaluate them builds your confidence in providing valuable assistance to patrons seeking health information.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Dealing with health-related questions can be challenging, but CHIS certification equips you with problem-solving strategies. You’ll be better prepared to address complex inquiries, which can significantly enhance your confidence in your abilities.
• Professional Support: As you pursue CHIS, you’ll likely connect with a community of fellow librarians and professionals with similar interests. This network can provide guidance, share experiences, and offer a support system that boosts your confidence in your role.

CHIS certification elevates your expertise and enhances the quality of service and interactions within your library. Providing accurate, empathetic, and empowering assistance to patrons contributes to your community’s health literacy and well-being while strengthening the library’s role as a trusted resource.

Earning a Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) is rewarding for public librarians. It enhances your professional profile and equips you with the skills to serve your community’s health information needs better. You will find that CHIS broadens your expertise and adds depth to your content creation. So, take the first step today and embark on a journey toward becoming your library’s certified health information specialist. Your patrons will thank you, and your career will benefit significantly from this valuable credential.

How to Earn CHIS credit

The easiest way is to take our all-in-one package class, Consumer Health Information Specialization On Demand, which provides 5 CE hours and covers all 5 CHIS level 1 competencies. You can take an additional 7 hours of CE from any upcoming webinars or Moodle classes. Take one of our on-demand classes, such as Consumer Health Collection Management, Introduction to Health Reference: Ethics and Best Practices (2022) or MedlinePlus Tutorial for Librarians and Health Educators. You can even watch records of past webinars for CHIS credit.

NNLM sponsors the CHIS fee. You can learn more about applying for sponsorship and earning your CHIS in our guide.