Life Care Planning
The University of Florida Life Care Planning Pre-certification program is designed to prepare those who are seeking to become Certified Life Care Planners (CLCP) or Canadian Certified Life Care Planners (CCLCP) with the knowledge necessary to successfully pass the certification exam offered by the International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC). For specific information on the CLCP or the CCLCP credential please visit the ICHCC website.
About
Topics addressed in the pre-certification curriculum include:
- Professional Orientation to Life Care Planning
- Spinal Cord Injury: Adult and Pediatric
- Brain Injury: Adult and Pediatric
- Amputations: Adult and Pediatric
- Multiple Physical and Psychological Disabilities
- Standards, Case Management, Ethics, and Expert
- Testimony in Life Care Planning
In order to complete the pre-certification program participants are required to complete five online courses and attend one short residual institute. The online courses have an open enrollment period so participants may enroll at any time and are allowed up to three months to complete each course.
Online courses utilize audio and video lectures, electronic slideshows, chat room interaction with faculty, online guest lectures, website field trips, exercises, and other techniques designed to support mastery of the material.
The on-site residential institute will provide participants with a chance to experience the consultation and testimony process as well as an opportunity to work through several exercises in ethical decision making. In this practical setting, students perform a series of applied exercises that allow them to bring together and utilize all of the theoretical knowledge and skills learned during the online experience. Participants receive training in testimony and participate in a mock testimony experience to affirm the student's eventual role as an expert. The on-site program also grants students the opportunity to socially network and interact directly with some of the most experienced and well known life care planners in the field.
Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP)
The International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC) provides the certification for Life Care Planners. In the University of Florida Life Care Planning Pre-Certification Program, you will receive the required and approved training for this certification, Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP).
In addition to completing the program, candidates for certification must:
- Meet the minimum academic requirements for their designated health care related profession and be certified, licensed, or meet the mandates of the candidate's respective state that allow him or her to practice service delivery within the definition of his or her designated healthcare related profession; and
- Complete a passing score on the Certified Life Care Planner Certification Examination
Complete details may be obtained from the ICHCC website.
LCP 1: Professional Orientation to Life Care Planning
Tuition: $550
This online course provides an overview of the life care planning process from initial patient referral to completion of the full report and life care plan with all the appropriate foundation and support. The course takes students through the steps of data development, analysis of medical and health-related professional records, research and review of clinical practice guidelines and relevant research literature and linking this information to recommendations in the plan.
LCP 2: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Spinal Cord Injury
Tuition: $550
This online course identifies the most up to date resources for remaining current on the medical and psychological consequences of spinal cord injuries. The primary focus is on the long-term consequences of paraplegia and tetraplegia as well as the combined effects of age and disability requiring phase changes in the life care planning process. Information on the care of ventilator-dependent spinal cord patients is included and the differences between providing care plans for the adult versus pediatric patient is outlined.
CP 3: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Brain Injury
Tuition: $550
This online course has a focus on the medical and psychological consequences of brain injuries and cerebral vascular accidents (CVA/stroke), including family, community, and vocational variables, with considerations for both Adult and the Pediatric cases. The course will be split between traumatic onset brain injury adult and pediatric and birth onset brain injury such a cerebral palsy. Because the nature of the etiology significantly impacts the nature of the outcome with respect to cognitive, psychological, social, behavioral and motoric deficits, the life care planning needs and recommendations are adjusted in each instance.
LCP 4: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Amputations
Tuition: $550
This online course identifies the most up to date resources for remaining current on the medical and psychological consequences of amputation. The primary focus is on the long-term consequences of the various types of amputation and the combined effects of age and disability requiring phase changes in the life care planning process. The impact of multiple amputation and the unique approaches made necessary by infant onset of amputation are also covered. Pediatric versus adult amputation and the differences in prosthetic considerations are also covered.
LCP 5: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Multiple Disabilities
Tuition: $550
This online course identifies the basic medical and psychological consequences of multiple disabilities. This information will lay the groundwork necessary to allow the trained professional to develop the foundations necessary for effective life care planning to use either in case management or consultation. The fundamental resources necessary to conduct effective research into data, clinical practice guidelines and relevant literature for each of these disabilities is provided.
LCP 6: Developing an Actual Life Care Plan (Day 1) / Forensic Aspects of Life Care Planning (Day 2)
Tuition: $550
This course comprised of two components.
The first component is an online assignment (approximately 4 hours of pre-work) which is to be completed prior to attending the on-site training.
The second component is the on-site training and the second component is an on-site training which will cover developing an actual Life Care Plan and the Forensic Aspects of Life Care Planning including depositions and testimony. On the first day of training participants will receive presentations from experts in the field and the training will cover fatal errors made when creating the life care plan. During the on-site training participants will learn how to review and critique Life Care Plans generated from the opposing side in a litigated, personal injury case.
November 3rd & 4th, 2012 (8am – 5 pm) Toronto, Ontario
Canadian Certified Life Care Planner (CCLCP)
The International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC) provides the certification for Life Care Planners. In the University of Florida Life Care Planning Pre-Certification Program, you will receive the required and approved training for this certification, Canadian Certified Life Care Planner (CCLCP).
In addition to completing the program, candidates for certification must:
- Meet the minimum academic requirements for their designated health care related profession and be certified, licensed, or meet the mandates of the candidate's respective state that allow him or her to practice service delivery within the definition of his or her designated healthcare related profession; and
- Complete a passing score on the Certified Life Care Planner Certification Examination
Complete details may be obtained from the ICHCC website.
CLCP 1: Professional Orientation to Life Care Planning
Tuition: $550
This course provides an overview of the life care planning process from initial patient referral to completion of the full report and life care plan with all the appropriate foundation and support. The course takes students through the steps of data development, analysis of medical and health-related professional records, research and review of clinical practice guidelines and relevant research literature and linking this information to recommendations in the plan.
CLCP 2: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Spinal Cord Injury
Tuition: $550
This course identifies the most up to date resources for remaining current on the medical and psychological consequences of spinal cord injuries. The primary focus is on the long-term consequences of paraplegia and tetraplegia as well as the combined effects of age and disability requiring phase changes in the life care planning process. Information on the care of ventilator-dependent spinal cord patients is included and the differences between providing care plans for the adult versus pediatric patient is outlined.
CLCP 3: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Brain Injury
Tuition: $550
This course has a focus on the medical and psychological consequences of brain injuries and cerebral vascular accidents (CVA/stroke), including family, community, and vocational variables, with considerations for both Adult and the Pediatric cases. The course will be split between traumatic onset brain injury adult and pediatric and birth onset brain injury such a cerebral palsy. Because the nature of the etiology significantly impacts the nature of the outcome with respect to cognitive, psychological, social, behavioral and motoric deficits, the life care planning needs and recommendations are adjusted in each instance.
CLCP 4: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Amputations
Tuition: $550
This course identifies the most up to date resources for remaining current on the medical and psychological consequences of amputation. The primary focus is on the long-term consequences of the various types of amputation and the combined effects of age and disability requiring phase changes in the life care planning process. The impact of multiple amputation and the unique approaches made necessary by infant onset of amputation are also covered. Pediatric versus adult amputation and the differences in prosthetic considerations are also covered.
CLCP 5: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Life Care Planning with Multiple Disabilities
Tuition: $550
This course identifies the basic medical and psychological consequences of multiple disabilities. This information will lay the groundwork necessary to allow the trained professional to develop the foundations necessary for effective life care planning to use either in case management or consultation. The fundamental resources necessary to conduct effective research into data, clinical practice guidelines and relevant literature for each of these disabilities is provided.
CLCP 6: Developing an Actual Life Care Plan (Day 1) / Forensic Aspects of Life Care Planning (Day 2)
Tuition: $550
This course comprised of two components.
The first component is an online assignment (approximately 4 hours of pre-work) which is to be completed prior to attending the on-site.
The second component is the on-site training and the second component is an on-site training which will cover developing an actual Life Care Plan and the Forensic Aspects of Life Care Planning including depositions and testimony. On the first day of training participants will receive presentations from experts in the field and the training will cover fatal errors made when creating the life care plan. During the on-site training participants will learn how to review and critique Life Care Plans generated from the opposing side in a litigated, personal injury case.
November 3rd & 4th, 2012 (8am – 5 pm) Toronto, Ontario
Faculty
Developed and taught by some of the most respected names in Life Care Planning, the University of Florida Life Care Planning Pre-Certification Program's academic team brings a wealth of real-life experience an knowledge to the course.
Instructors
- Horace W. Sawyer, Ed.D., CRC, CLCP, UF Life Care Planning Director
- Paul M. Deutsch, Ph.D., CLCP, Training Development Coordinator
Training Curriculum Development Team
- Paul M. Deutsch, Ph.D., CRC, CLCP
- Roger Weed, Ph.D., CRC, CLCP
- Susan Riddick Grisham, R.N., M.S., CCM, CLCP
- William R. Goodrich, CRC, CCM, CLCP, ABVE-D, NCC, AAPM-F
- Patti McCollum, R.N., M.S., CCM, CLCP
- Terry Winkler, M.D., CLCP
- Richard Bonfiglio, M.D.
- Julie Kitchen, CLCP
- Debra Berens, M.S., CRC, CLCP
- Horace W. Sawyer, Ed.D., CRC, CLCP
Textbooks
Required Textbooks
Policies
Attendance at Required On-Site Training
Once a participant enrolls in course 6 they are automatically enrolled in the next regularly scheduled on-site training. They will be notified about the scheduled dates and logistics at the time of enrollment in course 6. If for some reason the participant is unable to attend the online training the participant will be allowed to attend an alternative future course. Please note that an administrative fee of $250 will be charged for attending the alternative date.
Withdrawal Policy
A tuition refund will be granted after written request for withdrawal from a course within 30 days of enrollment. This request must be in writing, and may be sent by fax, email, or U.S. mail. All requests will receive written responses. Refunds will be the amount of tuition, less a $100.00 processing charge. Allow four to six weeks for refund checks. No refunds are granted after 30 days.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of the program and what is the amount of time allowed to complete each course.
Our program consists of 6 courses at a cost of $550 per course, which would total $3,300 for all the courses. You only pay for one course at a time. The program also requires two textbooks, which you may purchase from our website. The courses are set up as open enrollment, which means you register for the courses at your own convenience. You have 90 days to complete each course. Ex: If you finish the first course in 60 days, you may go ahead and register for the 2nd course.
What is the eligibility criteria for enrollment and certification?
While many different health and legal professionals can participate in our program, most students want to be certified upon completion. To determine if you will be professionally eligible for LCP certification, please contact ICLCP at http://www.ichcc.org/ (804-378-7273), review the Standards and Guidelines Manual, or consult with them directly.
How long does it take, on average, to complete a course and also the entire program of six courses for the certificate?
In our program at UF, we usually recommend students complete the program within a year, but there is no time limit. This is difficult to estimate and depends on individual effort. We have individuals who complete a course in 1-2 weeks and others take the entire three months. The average completion time is 1-2 months. Completing the program in 6-8 months is certainly reasonable and many professionals complete the program in less than one year.
Does UF certify Life Care Planners and how do I know if I will be eligible for certification with your certificate?
What is a Precertification training program?
The University of Florida does not certify Life Care Planners. Our program is a Precertification program, which means once you complete our program you qualify to sit for the LCP Certification Examination. This UF program has been approved as an educational provider by ICHCC to provide a 120-hour training program needed for certification (International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC, http://www.ichcc.org/ ). Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) certification exam after completing an approved applied life care plan project. A certificate of completion is presented to graduates which is submitted to ICLCP, qualifying them to take the exam.
Is this an online program, when do the courses begin, and how many courses are in your program?
The program consists of five online programs and one on-site scheduled course, totaling six required courses for a completed certificate. Professionals may register at any time as the program is automated and formatted for “open enrolment” and you may register for the first course at any time
How do I complete registration for your program, register for the first course, and actually begin the course?
You may use the following link to view our website and register for the LCP courses: http://lcp.dce.ufl.edu/certified In addition, you may use the link to purchase your textbooks for the courses. Select “Certified LCP” to view the courses and enroll in a course. You can receive immediate access once you register and the text books usually arrive within a few days of the order that is placed. Upon completion of each course, you may register for the next course.
Remember: You have 90 days to complete a course and there are no extension options.
Are there instructors available for questions and also is there someone I can contact for other course questions?
Yes, you will always have the instructor’s email address to direct course questions or concerns. Additionally, you may email Amanda if you ever have technical issues.
Could you give me some information about the onsite Course 6 or residential requirement?
Course 6 (Onsite Training) is a two day training course held in Orlando, Fl. The next US Course 6 is going to be held May 19th & 20th, 2012. The Canadian Life Care Planning Onsite Training Course is held in Toronto, Ontario (November. 2012). Students are more than welcome to attend either training. In order to qualify to take this course and attend the onsite training, you only need to complete Courses 1 and 2 and 1 additional course (3, 4, or 5). Please visit our website at http://lcp.dce.ufl.edu (select “Certified LCP” to view Course 6) to register for Course 6.
This course is offered for two reasons: 1) it is required for certification (Certified Life Care Planner), and 2) training content for forensics and developing and evaluating Life Care Plans is most effective through interaction between trainers and participants. As indicated, this course includes a forensics emphasis and also, we include an in-depth focus on the process of planning, developing, and evaluating life care plans. It also involves networking with experienced life care planners, active discussion, and small group working sessions appropriate to the group of participants. The onsite course is 2 days (16 hours - usually Friday and Saturday) plus a 4 hour homework assignment prior to coming to the course. For Canadian students, the second day is focused in Canadian law, forensic practices, and vocational issues (our trainer from Canada is an experienced, qualified, and certified life care planner).
Are there any loan programs available for this program?
We are not aware of any loan or scholarship programs available for this program. These courses are non credit courses which means they will not show up on a UF transcript, so it will be unable to utilize loans for this professional training program.
What are the backgrounds of participants in your program?
Most of the professionals enrolled in our program are practicing their own profession (nurses, rehabilitation counselors, occupational therapists, social workers, physical therapists, physicians, psychologists, etc.). As a result, they bring a great deal of experience to the life care planning professional specialty. Therefore, the online training courses in Life Care Planning are being completed on a part-time basis in most cases.
I am unfamiliar with Life Care Planning. Could you briefly describe LCP as a professional specialty.
LCP is a consultation specialty for many health professionals. If you are unfamiliar with the Practice of Life Care Planning, the following is some primary information for your consideration. A Life Care Plan is a dynamic document based upon published standards of practice providing an organized and concise plan for current and future needs with associated costs, for individuals who have experienced a catastrophic injury or have a chronic health care needs. The methodology used in Life Care Planning is designed to be a comprehensive evaluation and analysis strategy that integrates evaluation, analysis, conclusions and recommendations, and a comprehensive report. This consistent methodology relates to an analysis of the needs made necessary by the onset of a disability or chronic health condition through the life expectancy of the patient.
What kind of consultation or professional positions or jobs would this training and certification qualify me to perform and what is the potential market for this specialty?
This question is often asked. Life Care Planning is a professional specialty for Health Professionals representing many areas of practice. Individuals who are CLCP generally have an individual or group practice of life care planning, work in an agency developing life care plans, or combine life care planning with other consultation services. Life Care Plans are used most commonly as a litigation tool; to settle cases or to set medical reserves for the insurance carriers. As a result, your market would most likely include Personal Injury Attorneys, Medical Malpractice Attorneys, Health Care Attorneys or Rehabilitation Providers and Insurance Carriers.
I am a professional who, due to training and background, would not be eligible for certification in LCP. Can I still enroll and complete the program?
Yes, you could enter and complete the program. Remember, you would be responsible for consulting with ICLCP (http://www.ichcc.org/ ) prior to participation to determine whether or not you would qualify for certification. We have had professionals take the UF LCP program under these circumstances.
Can an established life care planner or someone interested in learning more about life care planning take one of the courses for reasons of professional maintenance credits or for increased knowledge?
Yes, as long as the individual understands that a course must be completed in 3 months to stay enrolled in the course.