EP Lab Digest - May 2008 - (Page 53)

MAY 2008 5 WAYS 53 Five Reasons to Participate with a Professional Organization Peggy McElgunn, Esq., Executive Director of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (ACVP) opportunity to share your own insights and expertise with peers and colleagues. 3. Build your own skills in a supportive environment while learning from your peers. Associations offer many avenues for learning both from your peers as well as experts in your area of interest. In addition to information, members are often accorded the opportunity to stretch their own skill set by practicing new skills among supportive colleagues. For example, members are encouraged to write articles sharing knowledge or present at meetings building public speaking or leadership characteristics. I n the next installment of the “5 Ways” column, the author provides some advice on why you should join a professional medical organization. 2. Demonstrate your professionalism. Membership support demonstrates a commitment and dedication to your field of practice. It also shows a “giving back” typically associated with expertise maturation. By being part of a national organization, you serve as a model for those entering the field as well as have an give yourself a professional advantage is to enroll in a professional organization (or multiple organizations). Associations that offer professional opportunities, advocacy, information, publications, and networking are ones worth supporting. Organizations that offer specialty information as well as general information regarding the area in which you work are ideal. This way you can network and gain professional insight both vertically as well as horizontally. By being part of an association, you stay on the leading edge of the field the organization represents. One example EP professionals should consider is the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (ACVP). The ACVP can be found at www.acponline.org or at 804-632-0078. 4. Have a voice that is loud and clear. One of the most important roles of a professional society is advocacy — that is, helping decision makers understand what members do in the workplace and why it’s important.The larger the group, the louder the voice, and the more your contribution will be known. In Upcoming “5 Ways” Installments: In future columns, topics discussed will include: • five ways to build your EP reimbursements • five techniques to merge your EP, cath and/or work • five tips for strengthening your EP team • and much more! 1. Build your network of support. The more individuals participating with you in an organization of your field of expertise, the more contacts, resources and access to information you will have. It is through shared learning that you will find the answers to questions facing you. Odds are, someone in the organization’s membership has “been there/done that”. 5. Give yourself a professional advantage. One of the best things you can do to http://www.acponline.org http://www.acponline.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EP Lab Digest - May 2008

EP Lab Digest - May 2008 Is There an Under-Referral of Women for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation? A Hybrid Approach to the Cure of Atrial Fibrillation Contents Letter from the Editor Spotlight Interview: University of Michigan Health System 10-Minute Interview: Amit J. Shanker, MD Modular EP Units: Are They Possible? One Hospital’s Experience All About My Job: Technician Supervisor (New Column!) Alcohol Septal Ablation in the Cath Lab: What is it All About? About the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society: Interview with Martin J. Gardner, MD, FRCP(C), FACC Email Discussion Group: May 2008 Second Annual Salary Survey My First Year in Electrophysiology: What Have I Got Myself Into? Highlight on Technology: Video-Audio Integration for the EP Lab On the Horizon: A New Remote Catheter Manipulation System Striving for Excellence in the Care of Cardiac Patients Five Reasons to Participate with a Professional Organization Suspected Shunting of Defibrillation Energy in the EP Lab Can Digital Music Players Cause Interference with Implantable Devices? ECG 101: Ambulatory ECG Monitoring Events Calendar Industry News and Products Classifieds Advertisers Index

EP Lab Digest - May 2008

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