Mastectomy fitter certification has a wide range of possible applications. Each mastectomy fitter is a vital piece of the healing process after mastectomy surgery due to breast cancer, trauma or other diseases.
Table of Contents
What is Post-Mastectomy?
Post-mastectomy describes professional medical services required after a mastectomy due to breast cancer, trauma, prophylactic mastectomy, or genetically induced developmental conditions of the breast.
What type of services or items does a mastectomy fitter provide?
External breast prostheses, pocket garments, lymphedema, and post-surgical compression garments are healthcare items because they are used to treat conditions resulting from diseases and the treatment of diseases of the breast.
Certified and Licensed healthcare professionals trained in post-mastectomy care should always provide these items and services.
AABCP
What is Certification?
Individuals are Certified. Certification upon completion of an introductory fitter course.
Who Certifies Fitters?
Mastectomy Certification is conferred by either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) as a Certified Fitter-mastectomy (CF-m) or the Board for Certification (BOC) as a Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CMF) upon completion of specific education and examination requirements.
What is a Mastectomy Fitter?
A Certified Mastectomy Fitter is an allied health professional educated and trained in providing breast prostheses and post-mastectomy services. Both ABC and BOC have a defined Scope of Practice document that defines the practice of certified individuals
Mastectomy Scope of Practice includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up, and practice management.
Other Types of Professional Regulation.
Licensing
Individuals are Licensed. Some states are beginning to implement licensure or state registration for mastectomy fitters. Currently, only Alabama has state licensure for post-mastectomy fitters.
Licensure usually involves a Legislature declaring “that in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the people against the unauthorized, unqualified, and improper administration of care, it is necessary to provide for the licensing and regulation of persons offering [mastectomy and related] services to the public.”
Accreditation
Businesses are Accredited. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires supplier accreditation of a post-mastectomy company to bill Medicare or Medicaid. Many state and private insurance companies also require accreditation to retain healthcare contracts.
To attain accreditation, all patient-care facilities must comply with specific business requirements and the appropriate patient-care standards. These standards create a minimum expectation for post-mastectomy care providers.
Certifying Organizations & Certification Exams
A MASTECTOMY FITTER is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained, consistent with nationally recognized programs, in the provision of breast prostheses and mastectomy services, including patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, and follow-up and practice management.
ABCOP
Whether ABC or BOC-certified, the certified post-mastectomy fitter is bound by a Code of Professional Responsibility enforced by a Professional Discipline program.
“The certified mastectomy fitter is obligated to support and conform to professional responsibilities that promote and assure the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession. The time-limited Certification expires without compliance with the Mandatory Continuing Education program.” – ABCOP
Requirements
There are two fitter certifying organizations. These are the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABCOP) and the Board for Orthotic Certification, International (BOC),
Each has defined pre-certification education, pre-certification experience, and continuing education requirements.
Pre-Certification Requirements for a Mastectomy Fitter
ABC. The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) requires a fitter to meet the following education and experience requirements to apply for certification:
- Possess a high school diploma, GED, or college degree.
- Complete an ABC-approved mastectomy-fitter educational course.
- Document a minimum of 120 hours of fitting experience obtained before or after completing the fitter educational course.
BOC. The Board for Orthotic Certification, International, requires a fitter to meet pre-certification education requirements to apply for certification:
- Possess a high school diploma, GED, or college degree
- Successful completion of a BOC-approved mastectomy fitter education course
- Document a minimum of 125 hours of fitting experience, depending on your current profession.
Experience Hours: General Guidelines for Mastectomy Fitter Patient-Care
The patient care experience hours requirement serves as the clinical training portion of the fitter’s education. It is optimal if the requirement is fulfilled after completing an approved mastectomy fitter educational program; however, candidates can use patient care experience gained before completing their education program.
Patient-care experience hours should be obtained in a mastectomy patient-care setting under Direct Supervision. They provide the student with practical application of the knowledge, skills, and competencies gained during their educational program.
If a candidate’s experience takes place in a setting not primarily engaged in mastectomy patient care services, their experience will be evaluated individually to determine whether it meets the intent of the requirement.
