What is the NHFA Proficiency Badge?
Home Funeral Guides come from all walks of life and have varying interests and skills. NHFA has created a Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, and now Core Competencies to help guide home funeral guides and families alike.
A proficiency badge from NHFA signifies that these Core Competencies have been met. Families looking can know that a home funeral guide who has earned a NHFA Proficiency Badge has met certain standards. Hospice and palliative care organizations can have the same confidence when working with or making referrals to home funeral guides who have a NHFA Proficiency Badge.
NHFA is encouraging home funeral funeral training programs to ensure that their curriculum covers all that is needed to pass the exam and obtain the NHFA Proficiency Badge. Also know that obtaining a proficiency proficiency badge is voluntary; many home funeral guides who have been working in their communities for a while may feel that they do not need this extra "stamp of approval" and that's okay. There is no overseeing legal entity that regulates this profession. In fields where liability-enforcing certification is not available, having measurable standards in a given practice is essential for those who wish to demonstrate their proficiency and enhance their credibility.
A proficiency badge from NHFA signifies that these Core Competencies have been met. Families looking can know that a home funeral guide who has earned a NHFA Proficiency Badge has met certain standards. Hospice and palliative care organizations can have the same confidence when working with or making referrals to home funeral guides who have a NHFA Proficiency Badge.
NHFA is encouraging home funeral funeral training programs to ensure that their curriculum covers all that is needed to pass the exam and obtain the NHFA Proficiency Badge. Also know that obtaining a proficiency proficiency badge is voluntary; many home funeral guides who have been working in their communities for a while may feel that they do not need this extra "stamp of approval" and that's okay. There is no overseeing legal entity that regulates this profession. In fields where liability-enforcing certification is not available, having measurable standards in a given practice is essential for those who wish to demonstrate their proficiency and enhance their credibility.
Earn your proficiency badge now!
It’s here! NHFA members now have the opportunity to demonstrate what they know. By earning a micro-credential, you’ll rest assured that your understanding of home funeral guide work is comparable to other guides' knowledge bases. Similarly, healthcare organizations and families will know when you display the NHFA badge that you’ve achieved a high standard of professionalism. Here how to earn your proficiency badge:
- To take the 50 question multiple choice assessment, you need to become a NHFA member or already be a member.
- Read the FAQs below, and go here to see what standards will be covered. The Study Guide Outline will also provide you will additional information regarding what types of questions will be covered.
- When you're ready, click on the Take the NHFA Assessment button below.
- You'll be asked to pay $115 for the assessment by using PayPal or a credit card.
- You are now ready to test! You have three chances to take the assessment before paying for it again. Your answers will be graded in real time so you will know the correct answer to each question before moving on. It's not just a test, it's a learning experience!
- Once you have passed the assessment with a score of 85% or above, you’ll receive an email with the proficiency badge .jpeg for use on all your promotional materials, including your website, business card, brochures, and more. You’ll also receive the satisfaction of accomplishment, and the support of NHFA in this important work.
Good luck!
Disclaimer: The NHFA offers the Home Funeral Guide Proficiency Badge as acknowledgement of demonstrated proficiency on a written exam. The exam is open to anyone regardless of training, life knowledge, or experience and is entirely elective. Successful completion of the assessment does not constitute endorsement by the NHFA.
Q&A
Q. What is a proficiency badge?
A. A proficiency badge is the end result of awarding what is known as a micro credential to a student who endeavors to excel in a specific area of inquiry and wishes to demonstrate a mastery of the subject. This type of credentialing has become the gold standard in technology and education because it identifies measurable skills and accurate knowledge of specific areas of expertise based on standards, rather than simply attesting to whether someone has attended a course. It validates everyone who successfully passes the assessment based on comprehensive, in-depth knowledge.
Q. Who can earn one?
A. Any member of NHFA can earn a proficiency badge in their discipline(s), regardless of formal training or level of experience, by successfully completing an assessment based on core competencies. A home funeral guide may have been working in the field for a long time and amassed a wealth of knowledge, or s/he may have taken a training in preparation for service. Neither method of obtaining knowledge and skill is more or less valid as long as the individual knows the fundamentals of best practices in their field(s). Please note: Because the pre-death legal parameters of practice are different from post-death, it is important that anyone choosing to practice both end-of-life doula and home funeral guide work, particularly for pay, consider earning a certificate in both arenas. Check with the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance for the status of this option.
Q. Who determines what the core competencies are for Home Funeral Guides?
A. The NHFA core competencies were developed through an arduous process of discussion and research by experienced home funeral guide trainers and teachers. The idea of developing measurable standards for home funeral guides goes back to the inception of the NHFA. When the NHFA decided to become an educational nonprofit, this effort was put on the back burner. However, with the advice from experts in the field and a great deal of research, the groundwork was laid, first with the newly formed National End-of-Life Doula Alliance on 2018. The applicable standards to after death care were converted and the core competencies were re-born. These trainers and teachers met regularly and shared their wisdom and expertise in creating this assessment based on the core competencies. For home funeral guides, the core competencies cover the following broad areas of knowledge and skill:
In fields where liability-enforcing certification is not available, having measurable standards in a given practice is essential for those who wish to demonstrate their proficiency and enhance their credibility.
Q. What does the NHFA Proficiency Badge entitle me to?
A. The NHFA Proficiency Badge may become the micro-credential that is recognized by outside organizations in related fields. Those who hold the NHFA Proficiency Badge may eventually be able to collaborate with or be hired by hospice and palliative care organizations, or they may receive referrals from them. In addition, the badge may be used on written materials and websites.
Q. How can I prepare to take the proficiency assessment?
A. We have outlined for you what will be covered in the assessment in our Study Guide. If you are taking a formal training, be sure to ask your instructor to explain areas that may not be covered in your course. If you are not in training but wish to take the assessment, these guides will help with your independent research if needed.
A. A proficiency badge is the end result of awarding what is known as a micro credential to a student who endeavors to excel in a specific area of inquiry and wishes to demonstrate a mastery of the subject. This type of credentialing has become the gold standard in technology and education because it identifies measurable skills and accurate knowledge of specific areas of expertise based on standards, rather than simply attesting to whether someone has attended a course. It validates everyone who successfully passes the assessment based on comprehensive, in-depth knowledge.
Q. Who can earn one?
A. Any member of NHFA can earn a proficiency badge in their discipline(s), regardless of formal training or level of experience, by successfully completing an assessment based on core competencies. A home funeral guide may have been working in the field for a long time and amassed a wealth of knowledge, or s/he may have taken a training in preparation for service. Neither method of obtaining knowledge and skill is more or less valid as long as the individual knows the fundamentals of best practices in their field(s). Please note: Because the pre-death legal parameters of practice are different from post-death, it is important that anyone choosing to practice both end-of-life doula and home funeral guide work, particularly for pay, consider earning a certificate in both arenas. Check with the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance for the status of this option.
Q. Who determines what the core competencies are for Home Funeral Guides?
A. The NHFA core competencies were developed through an arduous process of discussion and research by experienced home funeral guide trainers and teachers. The idea of developing measurable standards for home funeral guides goes back to the inception of the NHFA. When the NHFA decided to become an educational nonprofit, this effort was put on the back burner. However, with the advice from experts in the field and a great deal of research, the groundwork was laid, first with the newly formed National End-of-Life Doula Alliance on 2018. The applicable standards to after death care were converted and the core competencies were re-born. These trainers and teachers met regularly and shared their wisdom and expertise in creating this assessment based on the core competencies. For home funeral guides, the core competencies cover the following broad areas of knowledge and skill:
- Communication
- Values and Ethics
- Legal Requirements
- Organizational Skills
In fields where liability-enforcing certification is not available, having measurable standards in a given practice is essential for those who wish to demonstrate their proficiency and enhance their credibility.
Q. What does the NHFA Proficiency Badge entitle me to?
A. The NHFA Proficiency Badge may become the micro-credential that is recognized by outside organizations in related fields. Those who hold the NHFA Proficiency Badge may eventually be able to collaborate with or be hired by hospice and palliative care organizations, or they may receive referrals from them. In addition, the badge may be used on written materials and websites.
Q. How can I prepare to take the proficiency assessment?
A. We have outlined for you what will be covered in the assessment in our Study Guide. If you are taking a formal training, be sure to ask your instructor to explain areas that may not be covered in your course. If you are not in training but wish to take the assessment, these guides will help with your independent research if needed.
Disclaimer: The NHFA offers the Home Funeral Guide Proficiency Badge as acknowledgement of demonstrated proficiency on a written exam. The exam is open to anyone regardless of training, life knowledge, or experience and is entirely elective. Successful completion of the assessment does not constitute endorsement by the NHFA.
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