An "MSSP" is a medical staff services or provider credentialing professional. MSSPs coordinate the credentialing process and are significantly involved in supporting the accreditation status of their healthcare organization.

Throughout the country in hospitals, managed care plans, physician groups, medical societies, and other healthcare facilities, MSSPs are working each day to ensure that only qualified individuals are providing healthcare services. As part of their responsibilities, MSSPs investigate and confirm the credentials, training and backgrounds of physicians and other health providers who apply for privileges to provide care for patients or to participate in managed care plans.

MSSPs play a vital role in protecting patient safety and upholding the quality of care. Not only are they responsible for verifying information on credentialing applications, credentialing professionals are integral in developing credentialing and privileging criteria, spearheading quality improvement initiatives, facilitating communication between administration and providers, and much, much more.

In 1992, George Bush, then President of the United States, issued a proclamation designating the first week of November as “National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week.” In his proclamation, President Bush acknowledged the efforts of these professionals who “direct or manage medical staff services, from hospital communications to the accreditation of physicians and nurses” as playing “an important role in our nation's healthcare system.”

Certification is the industry standard for provider credentialing professionals, serving as a measure of knowledge and experience in the field. Certification gives employing healthcare facilities a means to identify qualified candidates for available positions.