Certified Health Service Administrator – CHSA (ACA)
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: August 2019
OVERVIEW
Certification Description
The Certified Health Service Administrator (CHSA) certification certifies that a nurse has the managerial experience and knowledge to manage health-related units in a correctional setting. Nurses with this certification are nurse managers and they may be responsible for managing staff, implementing agency procedures and policies.
Skills Focus
The certification focuses on the following areas:
- Ability to develop strategic planning to help the facility identify priorities
- Familiarity with AVA accreditation standards
- Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act
- Understanding of how to create and maintain a budget and other fiscal responsibilities
- Competency with offenders’ rights and level of health care
- Knowledge of inmates’ rights
- Familiarity with intrinsic and extrinsic rewards and how to implement a reward system
- Proficiency minimizing conflict with staff, inmates and management
Exam Objectives
Download the exam objectives/content outline/handbook
Exam Details
- Issuing Organization: American Correctional Association (ACA)
- Prerequisites: Applicants must hold an active RN; applicant must have at 3+ years of experience or meet bachelor/master degree requirements; applicant must have 3+ years of experience as a health service administrator; other requirements may apply
- Questions: 200
- Time: 240 minutes
- Cost: $235 for ACA members and $295 for non-members
- Re-certification and certification renewal: Every 3 years
- Download the Certification Handbook
Other relevant details: N/A
CHSA (ACA) Careers
Certified Health Service Administrator Careers
Jobs you can get with a CHSA certification (additional requirements may apply):
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Correctional Nurse
- Nurse Manager
- Health Service Administrator
Salary (Base Level)
A specialty certification may not only increase your employability, but may increase your earnings potential as well. Keep in mind that your actual salary can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Reference salary for the Registered Nurse (RN) shown. Salary based on 2019 data.
- National average per year: $71,730
- National average per hour: $34.48
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
CHSA (ACA) Training
Exam Preparation
- Study from the key topics on the Exam Handbook
- Use flashcards as a study aid
- Consider webinars offered by the ACA
- Take an online course
- Take an in-person course
- Complete practice exams
Important: This is not a complete list of all certification training and learning options available. Remember to thoroughly research and choose study materials that fit your learning style and needs. This step is crucial to help you succeed in your certification exam.
@Raising Careers Inbox
Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you a summary of everything new on Raising Careers once a week.