Volunteer

Volunteers are the lifeline of any not-for-profit organization. HMDCB values its volunteers and encourages physicians working in the hospice setting to become involved in the organization. Volunteering provides professional development, networking and collaboration opportunities with other hospice physicians across the country. 

HMDCB's volunteer application is currently closed. The application will open again in early 2025. 

 

Item Writers

Item writers are subject matter experts with strong writing skills who represent the diverse field of hospice physicians. Item writers generate questions, or items, that appear on the initial certification examination and the annual longitudinal assessment. Training and orientation on writing effective items is provided by the testing company partnering with HMDCB to develop the items. Item writers typically complete their work in early-May through mid-June.*

 

Exam Committee

The exam committee is composed of experienced subject matter experts representing the diverse field of hospice physicians. The exam committee is specifically responsible for oversight and performance of the initial certification examination. Their responsibilities include development of the initial assessment forms, recurring review of content relevancy, both item-level and examination-level performance data, and expertise with respect to establishing the cut score for the examination. The Exam Committee typically meets virtually in August and December to review items as a group and develop the examination form.*

 

CCP Item Reviewers 

CCP Item Reviewers are experienced subject matter experts representing the diverse field of hospice physicians. CCP Reviewers are specifically responsible for oversight and performance of the annual longitudinal assessment. Their responsibilities include review and approval of all longitudinal assessment questions (items), rationale, and references, as well as development of the assessment form. CCP Reviewers typically review items individually between May-July and meet virtually in August/September to review items as a group and develop the annual assessment form. 

 

Education Committee

Education Committee members provide strategic oversight for the development, administration, and implementation of all HMDCB education programs and products. The Committee will provide oversight for current programs and products, monitor certificant education needs, and collaborate with staff to develop new products and programs. This volunteer opportunity is a way to help grow the HMDCB Community and build camaraderie, community, and connection around the HMDC credential. The Education Committee will meet at least quarterly via Zoom.  

 

HMDCB Ambassadors

HMDCB Ambassadors will play an important role in the success of the organization. Ambassadors can be involved in several ways: share quotes and stories about the value of certification that will be used in marketing materials; represent the organization at state or national industry events; and volunteer as ad hoc reviewers of proposed changes to organizational policies or marketing collateral. This role is a way to make a big difference for HMDCB without a large time commitment. This position requires participation on an as needed basis. 

 

*Item Writers, Exam Committee members, and CCP Item Reviewers will be limited from serving as faculty or educators of programming or product development related to content areas of the certification examination.

"Taking the HMDCB exam is an extremely useful tool for assessing your HMD skill set and knowledge, which can help frame professional development. Being certified is desirable, when you consider the competitive environment within which many of us practice.”

Robert Friedman, MD FAAFP FAAHPM HMDC