BOC Launches Microcredential for Lymphedema Compression Fitting

OWINGS MILLS, Maryland—The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has announced the launch of a new microcredential designed to elevate and focus on specialized competencies that improve patient care and enhance skills for health care professionals.

A microcredential builds expertise and competencies without the time or expense of a full certification or degree. It is designed to provide targeted upskilling rather than broad professional preparation. It is also a stackable credential that, when combined with a full certification, enhances an individual’s career and improves patient outcomes/satisfaction. 

BOC’s new microcredential is designed for certified professionals and offers the opportunity to establish expertise as a Certified Lymphedema Compression Fitter (CLCF). This microcredential validates specialized knowledge in fitting medical compression garments for lymphedema and related conditions.

According to the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, cancer treatment is a leading cause for the most common form of lymphedema. Other causes include surgery, radiation, infection, trauma, chronic venous insufficiency and obesity—all of which frequently require compression garments for long-term management. Up to 250 million people worldwide have lymphedema, including an estimated 10 million in the United States. That is more than the number of people living with HIV, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) combined.

“For more than 40 years, BOC has advanced quality patient care through trusted credentialing,” said Judi Knott, president and CEO of BOC. “The CLCF reinforces the organization’s commitment to advancing the quality of patient care and expanding opportunities for professionals to enhance specialized skills. As patient conditions create demand and access to medical compression garments expands, it is essential that providers can demonstrate compliance and competency in proper fitting to support optimal patient outcomes.”

Eligible CLCF candidates must hold an active credential in a relevant health care field and complete approved compression garment training prior to taking the online examination. Education completed for an applicant’s current credential may satisfy CLCF educational requirements and will be evaluated during the application process. Examples of credentials that satisfy the active credential prerequisite include, but are not limited to: 

• BOC certified orthotic fitters (COF)
• BOC certified mastectomy fitters (CMF)
• BOC certified DME specialists (CDME)
• BOC certified orthotists (BOCO)
• BOC certified pedorthists (BOCPD)
• BOC certified prosthetists (BOCP)
• Nurses (RN, LPN), urse ractitioners
• Physical or occupational therapists (PT, OT)
• Certified lymphedema therapists (CLT)
• Orthotists, prosthetists and pedorthists
   

“The CLCF microcredential delivers value on both sides of the care equation,” said Matt Gruskin, chief operating officer of BOC. “For individual professionals, it provides a focused and affordable way to build on existing credentials while reinforcing a commitment to high-quality patient care. At the same time, for health care organizations and DMEPOS suppliers, it supports staff competency, introduces a standardized fitting methodology, strengthens documentation for clinical decision-making and ultimately helps improve patient satisfaction.”

For more information about the Certified Lymphedema Compression Fitter microcredential, visit bocusa.org/certification/clcf.