In Cardiology, CCKE Exam Helps NPs and PAs Showcase Their Skills

Like other cardiologists, I lack the ability to be in three places at once. Since I can’t be in an exam room, a catheterization lab, and the emergency department (ED) at one time, I need trusted team members to extend my reach and join me in managing our patients’ care. I’ve worked with phenomenal nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) for years. My partner and I recently brought two new team members on board, so I’ve been reflecting on professional growth and collegial trust, and I believe the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC’s) new credential for NPs and PAs has a role to play.

The Certified Cardiovascular Knowledge Examination (CCKE) can help NPs and PAs demonstrate the rigor of their training and the depth of their knowledge of cardiology care.

Demonstrating Deep Knowledge of Cardiovascular Disease

Some may be tempted to dismiss a new exam like the CCKE. However, this test does not present multiple-choice questions of questionable relevance. Rather, it confronts clinicians with case examples, and their answers reflect how well they understood the problem, what the workup should be, and how best to treat the patient. The test validates a clinician’s knowledge of cardiovascular disease and helps to sustain high standards for NPs and PAs.

Earning the CCKE credential reflects a clinician’s commitment. In my practice, we look for NPs and PAs who are open and willing to learn, people who we think will treat our patients right. If someone has earned a credential that proves their deep knowledge of cardiology, that’s an advantage for them, for our practice, and for our patients.

Confidence in Collaboration

A clinician taking the CCKE devotes the bulk of their attention to core competencies that are the lifeblood of team-based cardiology care. Many times NPs and PAs are a cardiology practice’s eyes and ears, so recognizing the acute coronary syndromes and clearly communicating about them with cardiologists is essential. When my partner and I are in exam rooms or the catheterization lab, our NPs and PAs routinely head down to the emergency room for patients with chest pain. The expectation is that they can distinguish what’s cardiac from atypical pain that doesn’t require further workup. If it is cardiac, our NPs and PAs collaborate with us to move toward answering questions like: Are we going to admit the patient? Are we going to stress test them? Will we bring them up to the cath lab?

For patients with stable ischemic heart disease, we want to ensure that they don’t have another heart attack. Maybe they’ve got a prior stent or coronary disease. When they develop symptoms and we order stress tests, we need to know: Do the NPs and PAs have the comprehension to monitor the test? Will they recognize when a test needs to be stopped?

The ability to understand the clinical gravity of test results is demonstrated by passing the CCKE. If I put a calcium score of a coronary artery in front of somebody who doesn’t understand coronary artery disease, they may not recognize the clinical relevance, whereas I need my team member to move that ball forward.

Establishing solid relationships and clear communication with patients and other clinicians is essential. Passing this exam affirms that an NP or PA has the knowledge base to confidently educate patients and to clearly escalate and hand off to me when needed, which elevates my confidence in collaborating with them on team-based care.

Learn more about the CCKE through the ACC or go straight to their clinical review and resource guide.