The American College of Cardiology has developed competencies to cover the entire career spectrum of a cardiologist, from training through practice, as well as competencies for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) who are members of a cardiovascular care team. These competencies define the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that healthcare providers, patients, the public and accrediting bodies can reasonably expect clinicians to achieve, maintain or enhance.
The competencies were developed using the 6 ACGME/ABMS competency domains that are endorsed by the ABIM, serve as the underpinning of all ACC education activities, lead to the overarching Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and act as a mechanism for the development of needs assessment and personalized or focused education. Published statements cover core cardiovascular training, advanced sub-subspecialty cardiovascular training, and corresponding lifelong learning competencies for physicians and competencies for NPs and PAs who practice adult cardiovascular medicine.
Core Cardiovascular Training Statements (COCATS)
Core Cardiovascular Training Statements (COCATS)
COCATS outlines ACC’s recommended training requirements for adult cardiovascular medicine fellowship programs. Each COCATS Task Force Report covers a specific field of competency in cardiovascular disease, includes curricular content (milestones) within each domain, and lists potential evaluation tools.
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Lifelong Learning Competencies for General Cardiologists
Lifelong Learning Competencies for General Cardiologists
Clinical Competencies These competencies cover 18 clinical areas of practice, focusing specifically on Medical Knowledge and Patient Care/Procedural Skill competencies. In addition, Professional Behavior Competencies Relevant to All Clinical Areas delineate competencies related to Systems-Based Practice, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and Professionalism. Unified Lifelong Learning Competencies for General Cardiologists (PDF)
Leadership and Administrative Competencies In addition to clinical competency, cardiologists are expected to function effectively as leaders in allied efforts to assure high quality care and promote individual and population health. Some of these activities and attributes fall outside the realm of clinical knowledge and skill and instead involve administrative roles in clinical practice, hospitals, health systems, professional societies, or other organizations. |
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Advanced Sub-subspecialty Cardiovascular Training
Advanced Sub-subspecialty Cardiovascular Training
ACC Advanced Training Statements (ATS) define selected competencies that go beyond those expected of all cardiologists and require training beyond a standard 3-year cardiovascular disease fellowship. This includes sub-subspecialties for which there is an ABIM added-qualification designation, such as clinical cardiac electrophysiology (CCEP). ATS also describe the key experiences and outcomes necessary to maintain or expand competencies during practice. Additional ATS are under development. |
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Lifelong Learning Competencies for Advanced Sub-subspecialists
Lifelong Learning Competencies for Advanced Sub-subspecialists
ACC's Lifelong Learning Statements (LLS) use the same ACGME/ABMS core competence domain structure to identify lifelong learning competencies for sub-subspecialists, similar, though not identical to the competencies for advanced training, reflecting the impact of practice focus and patterns on expectations of competency. They also address additional principles pertaining to maintenance of competence such as procedural volume, assessment of competence, and research and scholarly activity. Additional LLS are under development. |
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Competencies for NPs and PAs in Adult Cardiovascular Medicine
Competencies for NPs and PAs in Adult Cardiovascular Medicine
This document delineates the key anticipated competencies for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) who are members of a cardiovascular care team, including those in general cardiovascular practice and those in focused areas of cardiovascular medicine. It also identifies aspects of cardiovascular medicine that exceed core expectations and may be maintained or achieved by some specialized care team members depending on their expertise, skills, practice agreements, and licensure. The competencies cover 11 clinical areas of practice, focusing specifically on Medical Knowledge and Patient Care/Procedural Skills competencies. In addition, Core Competencies are delineated that cover Systems-Based Practice, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communications Skills, and Professionalism. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Additional Resources |