5 Certifications to Look Into When You Are in the Health Field

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Are you looking for a way to make your skills more marketable and appealing to potential employers? You don’t necessarily have to get another degree, which could take years to complete. There are hundreds of different certifications that cover all areas of health care, such as IT, insurance, and medical management. Some of these programs only require a few days of your time. The best thing about them is that you will maximize your current knowledge in the health field and demonstrate expertise in specific areas once you get certified. Keep reading to learn about our 5 top health certifications that will take your career to the next level.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

CNAs help doctors and nurses with day-to-day tasks like feeding, bathing, and dressing patients. They also answer patient calls, measure and record vital statistics, and help keep doctors, nurses, and patients on schedule by reminding them of upcoming procedures or appointments.

Most CNAs work in hospitals or long-term care facilities like nursing homes, although others work in private homes. They work closely with doctors and nurses to provide the best care possible for their patients, who may have anything from minor illness or injury to complete loss of mobility, memory, or other bodily functions.

Because they are often in close contact with sick people, they should be prepared to wear protective clothing such as masks and gloves when necessary. They must also be emotionally stable since they may see patients at their worst: suffering, weak, and sometimes dying. Occasionally, nursing assistants also can include a certification in their inventory in combination with CNA.

Coach Certifications

If you are a health coach, then you will want to get a health coach certification in order to further your career. This can be very beneficial to a professional who is looking to become the best health coach that they can be. Becoming a health coach can take as little as six months so it is achievable in a very short period of time.

Furthermore, sometimes you can find a great program that also teaches you how to run your health business as well. There are many benefits that can come with a great program that you are confident about. Look online to find great reviews so that you can narrow down what type of program you would like to do. Also decide what would be best for what you are looking to do in the future.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

You can work in various healthcare environments when you become a phlebotomist. You might be working in a hospital, medical clinic, or doctor’s office. Someone in this position may draw blood from patients, even children, and infants. You will learn how to collect blood from the vein with a needle and syringe or a finger stick. You will also learn about the different ways of collecting urine and stool samples. Yet, there is some risk of exposure to infectious diseases when working as a phlebotomist. So you need to ensure protection all the time.

Several courses usually last six months to get your certification as a phlebotomist. These courses include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, the tube system used in laboratories for testing, CPR training, and more. Plus, you will do hands-on training. For anyone who doesn’t want to work all day behind a desk, this is a great option because it allows you to be more active throughout your day.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is intended for medical assistants who work in clinical settings. Although the NHA does not require applicants to have formal medical assistant training, most CCMAs have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must pass an exam that tests their clinical and administrative medical assisting knowledge.

Passing this exam earns the candidate the title of CCMA, which must be renewed every two years with 20 hours of continuing education. CCMAs are prepared to perform clinical duties that include measuring vital signs, drawing blood, administering injections, and performing EKGs. They also have the skills to perform basic administrative tasks such as billing and coding, and maintaining patient records. This can be a great option for people who like to keep organized.

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

The Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a designation given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Candidates must complete a training program and pass a national certification exam to be certified. This designation may help a pharmacy tech stand out from other job applicants. Pharmacy technicians who work in retail or mail-order pharmacies have various responsibilities, depending on state rules and regulations.

For instance, they receive written prescription requests from patients and perform medication reconciliation. They also may be involved with data entry tasks to update patient records and fill prescription orders. This can be a very fulfilling career option for many.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a certification that would benefit someone who has been in the health field for a while and is looking to step into a managerial role. The certification requires two years of coding experience and passing an exam. Those who obtain the certification are recognized as having exceptional knowledge in medical coding, which can help with career advancement opportunities. This is one of many great certificate options that are available for you to try out. Even better, they are typically affordable and do not take as long as getting a college degree.

Conclusion for Health Certifications

While CPT and CPC certifications aren’t required to get started in health coding, it is a great way to quickly understand the system expected of you as you advance in your career. Before getting certified, however, it’s a good idea to get your foot in the door with some basic health coding classes. As with most things, before you can get certified, you need to know what you are getting yourself into. Fortunately, there are plenty of sites to help introduce newcomers to the system.