NAHQ Micro-Credentials
Do you have the relevant skills in Quality & Safety to help you do your best work today and prepare you for tomorrow’s evolving needs? NAHQ Micro-Credentials are a growing portfolio of training programs that offer focused learning in the individual domains of the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™, the industry standard defining the most up-to-date knowledge and skills required for Quality excellence.
Delve into a domain today.
Use the skills tomorrow.
Each online, on-demand, self-paced training program explores one NAHQ Framework domain through real-world cases and practical tools you can use on the job immediately.
Micro-Credentials are relevant for CPHQs for targeted upskilling as well as for non-CPHQs to gain relevant focused skills.
Upon successful completion you will earn:
- CPHQ/CNE CE credits
- A certificate
- A digital badge
Now Available
Regulatory and Accreditation
MODULE 1: Understanding accreditation and setting direction
Review the regulations, accreditations and certifications in healthcare; learn about the state, federal and international landscape; explore continuous readiness
MODULE 2: Planning and preparing for accreditation
Learn to assess readiness; understand and identify applicable regulation & accreditation programs
MODULE 3: Managing the onsite survey experience
Learn about logistics, conflict resolution and resilience
MODULE 4: Responding, improving, and sustaining readiness
Find out how to conduct a post-survey debrief, create a corrective action plan, address complaints & adverse event reporting and manage self-assessments
MODULE 5: Mastery lab
Engage in mini practice scenarios, receive downloadable tools and resources that you will use to create a continuous readiness binder
This micro-credential offers 8 CPHQ/CNE CE credits, a digital badge and certificate
Performance and Process Improvement
Do you want to gain the confidence to manage change, lead projects effectively, and foster a culture of continuous improvement for safer, more efficient, and patient- centered care? This highly-engaging, scenario-based program provides the advanced knowledge and practical skills you need.
SCENARIO 1:
Use a PDCA methodology to navigate resistance, build stakeholder buy-in, and guide teams through every phase of improvement initiatives.
SCENARIO 2:
Use the LEAN approach to improvement to optimize workflows, enhance patient safety, and improve clinical outcomes using tools like process mapping, project planning, and team facilitation.
MASTERY LAB
Apply your learning through four mini-scenario exercises, then create a final poster project to synthesize learning and demonstrate real world application.
This micro-credential offers 10 CPHQ/CNE CE credits, a digital badge and certificate
Health Data Analytics
NAHQ research revealed a strong interest and need for deeper learning in the expanding area of Health Data Analytics.
This micro-credential consists of two modules that offer a comprehensive survey of the competencies needed in this domain:
MODULE 1
Learn how to collect, consolidate, validate and organize data from multiple sources to achieve strategic outcomes.
MODULE 2
Add critical data visualization tools and techniques to your Quality toolbox, integrate analysis with visual storytelling, leverage your technical and creative aptitude, use data to inform prioritization processes and ultimately improve outcomes and drive better decision making from the top down.
This micro-credential offers 10 CPHQ/CNE CE credits, a digital badge and certificate
Watch and learn about micro-credentials
Micro-Credentials Overview Video
Learn what micro-credentials are, how they relate to the Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™ and how you can benefit from them.
Watch Video
Health Data Analytics Video
See how this micro-credential can help demystify data, what the course includes and how you can use the knowledge to advance Quality and your career.
Watch Video
Performance and Process Improvement Video
Learn what content is included in this micro-credential, what to expect from the assessment, and how it can help you achieve continuous improvement. Watch Video
Coming Soon
Patient Safety
Quality Leadership and Integration
Professional Engagement
Quality Review and Accountability
Population Health and Care Transitions
NAHQ Micro-Credentials FAQ
What is a NAHQ Micro-Credential?
These educational, certificate-style training programs, aligned to NAHQ’s industry-standard Healthcare Quality Competency FrameworkTM, are intended to reach those in Quality and Quality-adjacent leadership positions across the healthcare continuum. Each micro-credential provides in-depth training on one of the 8 domain areas in the Framework.
The multi-media educational module(s) combine video instruction from subject matter experts, interactive eLearning, text, downloadable resources, case studies and knowledge checks.
After finishing the educational module(s), you can take the assessment and submit the program evaluation. Once you successfully pass the assessment, you earn the NAHQ Micro-Credential, which includes a certificate stating you earned the credential, a digital badge, and CPHQ/CNE credits.
There are currently three micro-credentials available: Health Data Analytics, Performance and Process Improvement, and Regulatory and Accreditation.
What content is covered in the NAHQ Micro-Credentials?
NEW: Regulatory and Accreditation:
Individuals earning this NAHQ Micro-Credential gain in-depth knowledge and demonstrate that they possess the necessary skills in Regulatory and Accreditation, one of the eight domains of the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™. This Micro-Credential equips learners to understand and guide their organizations through the complex regulatory landscape to effectively implement and monitor compliance, steer quality initiatives, and ultimately safeguard patient well-being.
Performance and Process Improvement:
The NAHQ Micro-Credential in Performance and Process Improvement (PPI) will guide you through two scenario-based case studies that explain the intricacies of leading a performance and process improvement initiative. Throughout the program, you will be challenged to apply your healthcare Quality skills with assignments designed to give you practice working with PDCA and LEAN methodologies, process mapping, project management, team leadership, change management, and other best practices and tools. Within each module, you will find interviews with expert healthcare Quality professionals who explain how these best practices and tools can be applied. A mastery lab includes four mini-scenario exercises, plus a final poster project to synthesize learning and demonstrate real-world application. You’ll also receive a library full of downloadable resources and templates you can take away.
Health Data Analytics:
The NAHQ Micro-Credential in Health Data Analytics consists of two modules that explore the methods, techniques and tools that comprise the competencies within the Health Data Analytics domain of the Healthcare Quality Competency Framework. The program includes one on Data Collection, which will teach you how to collect, consolidate, validate and organize data from multiple sources to achieve strategic outcomes, as well as one on Data Visualization, which will add critical data visualization tools and techniques to your Quality toolbox, integrate analysis with visual storytelling, leverage your technical and creative aptitude, use data to inform prioritization processes, and ultimately improve outcomes and drive better decision making from the top down.
Why is the NAHQ Micro-Credential: Regulatory and Accreditation co-created by NAHQ and Joint Commission?
In 2024, Joint Commission and NAHQ announced a strategic alliance to advance global healthcare quality and safety. The alliance stemmed from a shared vision for safe, high-quality care. As part of the alliance, Joint Commission and NAHQ are uniting to align critical missions and approaches, a universal set of quality competencies, skilling healthcare professionals, and co-developing best-in-class training and education. This micro-credential combines NAHQ’s leadership in defining healthcare quality competencies and workforce credentialing with Joint Commission’s regulatory and accreditation expertise.
You do not need to be a NAHQ member or from a Joint Commission accredited organization to obtain this micro-credential.
What is the Assessment piece of the NAHQ Micro-Credential?
The assessment, designed to be taken after completion of all modules of a micro-credential program, consists of 30 multiple-choice questions testing the content covered in the modules. You have one hour to complete the assessment and can take it as many times as needed during the 90-day access period to achieve a passing score.
Successful passing of the assessment results in being awarded a certificate of completion listing CEs/CNEs earned as well as a digital badge that can be shared via social media outlets.
Who can benefit from NAHQ Micro-Credentials?
This program is intended for a variety of individuals, including:
- Those with the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality® certification
- Professionals looking to advance competency in a specific domain of the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework
- Professionals who have a new or increased job responsibility in a particular domain of the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework
How can I earn NAHQ Micro-Credentials?
These on-demand programs can be taken at the learner’s own pace. The duration is, on average, between 8 to 10 hours. The program can be completed in one sitting or broken out for you to complete at your convenience. The system will retain your progress so that you can log back in and pick up where you left off.
You can now purchase the following NAHQ Micro-Credentials:
Once purchased, you can access the micro-credential by logging into your NAHQ Account and selecting “My Learning” in the navigation (on the left side of the page).
What is the cost for NAHQ Micro-Credentials?
NAHQ Micro-Credentials cost $359 for members and $529 for non-members. Upon purchasing, you’ll have access to the programs and assessments for 6 months. After passing the assessment and submitting the evaluation, you’ll get an email with instructions for claiming your badge and downloading the certificate through Credly’s platform.
Once purchased, you can access the micro-credential by logging into your NAHQ Account and selecting “My Learning” in the navigation (on the left side of the page).
Can I obtain Continuing Education (CE) Credit for completing a NAHQ Micro-Credential?
Both of the available programs offer 10 CPHQ continuing education credits. They have also been approved for 10 continuing education credits through the Virginia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. To claim these credits, you are required to complete the activity and pass the assessment.
Where and how can I display my micro-credential badge?
You can share your badge directly through the Credly platform to LinkedIn, X and Facebook, embedded in a website or in your email signature.
Can I attach my micro-credential badge to my email signature?
Yes, adding a hyperlinked badge image to your email signature is a great way to make sure your professional network is aware of your certifications, credentials and other badge-worthy recognition.
Can I export badges issued through Credly’s platform to other badge-storing platforms?
Yes, you can download your badge from the Share Badge page.
What if I don’t want my badge to be public?
You can easily configure your privacy settings in the Credly platform if you prefer not to make your badge public.
Become a member and save
NAHQ members enjoy discounts on our robust library of education and training resources, including new NAHQ Micro-Credentials. Join today to be a part of a powerful ‘Force for Quality.’
To achieve Quality, Safety and Value, follow the NAHQ Framework
At the core of all NAHQ offerings is our Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™. This twice-validated Framework identifies the domains that define Quality and the industry standard competencies required to effectively advance Quality and advance healthcare.
