| Explanation
of Process |
Eligibility |
Test
Content Outline |
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Test Content Specifications/Outline:
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The
Test Content
Specifications/Outline (pdf) for SIIM's Certified Imaging
Informatics Professional (CIIP) Program is now available for review. |
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The CIIP Test Content
Outline (TCO) consists of 10 Domains: 1) Procurement, 2)
Project Management, 3) Operations, 4) Communications, 5) Training and
Education, 6) Image Management, 7) Information Technology, 8) Systems
Management, 9) Clinical Engineering, and 10) Medical Informatics. The
percent in each of the major categories (domains) to be included in the
scored portions of the exam are shown in the outline. Tasks and the Content
Base define the 2nd and 3rd levels of the outline
respectively.
The TCO has been
converted to a topic-nested-within-task framework and is a document based on
specific tasks rather than the more general competencies that comprised the
previous test weighting survey. This framework makes explicit the
relationship between the content areas and the job responsibilities to which
they relate.
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This shift from a
topic-based outline to a task-based outline is beneficial in many
respects. By diligently addressing the core tasks and the most important
knowledge, skills, and abilities, the final content specifications are
now more focused than the original draft. In addition, adopting the
topic-nested-within-task framework resulted in a document that is
clearly job related.
Throughout the
process of developing the TCO, the following questions were explicitly
or implicitly considered for each task:
“Is performance of this activity required for successful job
performance?”
“What knowledge, skills, and abilities (content base) are required to
perform this activity?
“Is this topic testable?”
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Uses of Content Specifications:
- Identifies the
areas that are included in the exam
- Provides examinees a study aid
- Informs educators of test content
- Provides direction to item writers
- Supports item bank classification
- Assists in test assembly; assures consistency in content and
difficulty
- Establishes validity documentation (legal, accreditation) |
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What Content Specifications are NOT:
- Curricula for
educational programs or training seminars
- Lists of model competencies for the ideal employee
- Documentation to settle turf battles |
We will be evaluating these test specifications on an ongoing basis by
asking the following questions:
"Do they accomplish their intended purposes?"
"How useful are they for our audiences of
item writers, exam committee, examinees, and educators?"
"How well do the topics link back to practice?"
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