The Cardiovascular Team Council provides the Cardiac Care Associates (CCA) member segment with increased opportunities for engagement and integration in the overarching mission of the American College of Cardiology.
The ACC Celebrates Nurse Appreciation in May!
National Nurses Week runs May 6-12, but the ACC is taking the opportunity to honor its nurse members all month long! We thank you for your dedication to improving the quality of cardiovascular care each and every day. As nurses, you are on the front lines of care, working with CV patients; this month, we'll be working to highlight this month how you, our nurses, are working to improve health care.
Traditionally, Nurses week begins on RN Reconition Day (May 6) and runs through the birthday of the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale (May 12). During the month of May, to say thank you, the ACC will be offering special deals including discounts on products, new membership applications and more. Stay tuned for more information on what the ACC is doing during its Nurse Appreciation Month!
Our Mission
The mission of the Cardiovascular Team Council is to provide the Cardiac Care Associates (CCA) member segment with increased opportunities for engagement and integration in the overarching mission of the American College of Cardiology.
The council will accomplish its mission by identifying and addressing gaps in areas of professional importance to Cardiac Care Associate members including: education, research, advocacy, and career development opportunities for the cardiovascular care team. The primary goal and metric is the integration of cardiovascular healthcare professionals, including: clinical nurse specialists; registered nurses; nurse practitioners; physician assistants; and clinical pharmacists, is to provide these members with the tools and resources needed to provide patients with the highest cardiovascular care.
Our Objectives
- To improve the quality of cardiovascular care
- To advocate for an increase in educational opportunities for Cardiac Care Associate members;
- To advocate for a team-based approach to cardiovascular care
- To strengthen advocacy efforts for cardiovascular specialists
- To enhance opportunities for mentoring and career development for cardiac care team members;
- To foster relationships with other care team organizations to provide greater opportunities for the Cardiac Care Associate members.
Associate of the American College of Cardiology (AACC)
The Associate of the American College of Cardiology (AACC) designation was approved by the ACC’s Board of Trustees in March 2009, to recognize those CCAs who, through advanced education, training and professional development, have dedicated themselves to providing the highest-level of cardiovascular care.
With a focus on recognized national board certifications and member interests in advanced learning, skill building, and professional recognition, the CCA Designation Working Group compiled a list of boards whose certifications would be required for the AACC designation.
As a process, CCA applicants must meet basic criteria for the designation. The process for advancement from Cardiac Care Associate to Associate of the American College of Cardiology is similar to the advancement process for physician members and Fellowship of the American College of Cardiology. Applicants that do not meet the basic criteria will be reviewed by the CCA Designation Working Group and a decision will be made at that time, regarding their advancement to AACC. Download an application and apply for AACC here.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about A.A.C.C.
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Cardiac Care Associate (CCA) Membership
As a member of the American College of Cardiology, Cardiac Care Associate members are given the opportunity to enhance their cardiovascular skills by earning continuing education credits, participate on chapter and national committees, and network with world-renowned cardiovascular professionals.
With the impressive savings and benefits that come with Cardiac Care Associate (CCA) membership with the American College of Cardiology, your membership dues are recouped the moment you join!
Benefit Value
JACC $298.00
JACC Interventions $198.00
JACC Imaging $198.00
Cardiosource $99.00
Cardiology magazine $75.00
Annual Scientific Session/i2 Summit
Registration Savings $360.00
Educational Products Savings $91.00 average
Educational Programs Savings $76.00 average
TOTAL SAVINGS TO CCA MEMBERSHIP $1,395.00 Download a Cardiac Care Associate membership application.
CCA Member Get a Member Program
Help a Colleague and Support Cardiovascular Medicine! Current members of the ACC are encouraged to refer a colleague for CCA membership.
All of our ACC members are uniquely positioned to refer a colleague for Cardiac Care Associate membership, as you know first-hand the benefits of being an ACC member. By referring a colleague for ACC Cardiac Care Associate membership, you share clinical education, networking, and leadership opportunities. And through the College’s publications, website, and programs you offer the latest cardiovascular care guidelines and patient education resources.
The College values Cardiac Care Associates as a vital part of the healthcare team and especially their role in personally touching the lives of patients. Help other professionals and patient care by connecting your colleagues with the College.
For every new member you refer to the ACC, you'll earn $20 in discounts to put toward ACC educational products and programs. The College will also recognize top recruiters each month, in Cardiology magazine and the Cardiovascular Team Section e-newsletter.
Referrals may be sent to Kelli Bohannon at kbohanno@acc.org or you can print a pdf of the Cardiac Care Associate membership application for your recruits. Please write your name at the top of the form or be certain to remind your colleagues to include your name when submitting their application to the College so that you receive credit.
Get more information regarding the CCA Member Get a Member Program
Working Groups
Please click on the links above to provide feedback directly to a section working group or to volunteer your expertise.
The Working Groups are holding open forums during ACC.12! RSVP to attend one here.
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Education
The Nurse Education Committee (NEC) reports directly to the ACCF’s Education Oversight Committee and is responsible for coordinating all aspects of continuing nursing education sponsored by the American College of Cardiology Foundation. The Nurse Education Committee includes representatives from all constituents of the Cardiac Care Associates (CCA) (nurses, physician assistants and clinical pharmacists) in order to provide coordination and development of non-CE education for the non-nurse CCA’s. The Cardiovascular Team Council and Section works cooperatively with the Nurse Education Committee by providing the group with pertinent feedback from the Cardiac Care Associate Community.
Advocacy
The Cardiovascular Team Section works closely with the Advocacy Steering Committee and its three (3) advisory boards (Legislative, Regulatory, and Payer), to create awareness regarding the ACC advocacy initiative and engage the Cardiac Care Associate membership.
Quality
The Cardiovascular Team Section supports the College’s ongoing quality improvement efforts and initiatives by reviewing and providing feedback on clinical documents and guidelines, as well as through CCA contributions to the National Cardiovascular Data Registry. Currently, Cardiac Care Associate members serve on several of the ACC’s key quality-related working groups and committees including:
- NCDR ACTION-GWTG Registry Steering Committee
- Quality First Network Steering Committee
- Cardiovascular Practice Recognition Program Committee
- CQC Steering Committee
- CQC Partners in Quality (PIQ) Work Group
- Patient-Centered Care Health Policy Writing Group
Section Publications
Coming soon!
Get Involved
Resources and Publications
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