Top 10 Assistant Administrator Certifications

Certifications are important for an assistant administrator in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in the field. Certifications show employers that the individual has achieved a certain level of competency in their areas of expertise, which can be attractive to potential employers. Additionally, certifications can provide assistant administrators with access to professional development opportunities, networking events, and other resources that can help them advance their career. Finally, certifications can also give assistant administrators an edge when competing for positions against other candidates who do not have similar qualifications.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Assistant Administrators and explains how they can help advance an Assistant Administrator's career.

What are Assistant Administrator Certifications?

Assistant Administrator Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the administrative procedures and processes associated with running a successful organization. This certification is typically awarded to individuals who have completed an accredited training program or have acquired sufficient work experience in the field.

The Assistant Administrator Certification can help job seekers stand out from other applicants and gain recognition from employers for their level of expertise. It can also provide the skills necessary for advancement in the administrative field. Those who hold this certification can demonstrate a depth of knowledge about organizational operations, including budgeting, personnel management, customer service, problem resolution, and more. Additionally, assistant administrators who are certified may be eligible for higher salaries, increased responsibility levels, and better job opportunities than those without certification.

Pro Tip: When considering assistant administrator certification, make sure to research the available programs and certifications in your area to find the one that best suits your needs. Also, take advantage of any free resources or training materials offered by the organization providing the certification. This will help ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the material and can properly apply it to your job.

Related: What does an Assistant Administrator do?

Top 10 Assistant Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Assistant Administrators today.

1. Certified Administrator of Healthcare Information Systems (CAHIS)

Certified Administrator of Healthcare Information Systems (CAHIS) is a certification program offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The CAHIS credential is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of healthcare information systems. This certification program focuses on developing and maintaining an understanding of the principles, processes, and technologies related to healthcare information systems.

The CAHIS certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in the field of healthcare information systems. Applicants must also pass a written examination that covers topics such as system design, implementation, maintenance, and management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To obtain the CAHIS certification, applicants must first submit an application and pay a fee of $395 USD. After submitting their application, applicants will receive an email with instructions for scheduling their exam date and time. Once they have completed their exam, applicants will receive their results within two weeks. If successful, they will receive their official CAHIS certificate in the mail within six weeks from the date they passed their exam.

The cost for obtaining the CAHIS certification is $395 USD for AHIMA members or $495 USD for non-members.

2. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program designed to provide medical office managers with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage a medical office. The program is administered by the National Association of Medical Office Management (NAMOM).

The CMOM certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as medical office operations, financial management, personnel management, patient relations, and risk management. The exam is offered twice a year in April and October.

To be eligible for the CMOM certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a managerial role in a healthcare setting or equivalent education. Applicants must also complete an application form and pay an application fee of $150.

Once the application has been approved, applicants can register for the exam. The cost of the exam is $300 and it takes approximately three hours to complete. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CMOM certification within six weeks.

3. Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). The CPHQ credential is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in healthcare quality. The CPHQ credential is widely recognized as a mark of excellence in the field of healthcare quality, and it can open up career opportunities for those seeking to advance their careers in this field.

In order to become certified, an individual must meet certain requirements, including a minimum of two years of full-time experience in healthcare quality management or related fields. In addition, applicants must pass an exam administered by NAHQ that covers topics such as patient safety, risk management, performance improvement, and data analysis.

The cost to take the exam varies depending on whether you are a member of NAHQ or not. For members, the cost is $395; for non-members, it is $495. It typically takes about four weeks for results to be released after taking the exam.

4. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of medical administrative assistants. The CMAA credential is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) after successful completion of a comprehensive exam.

The exam covers topics such as medical terminology, insurance processing, healthcare law and ethics, billing and coding procedures, scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and other administrative duties. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of experience working in a medical office setting.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CMAA exam. During this time, applicants should review relevant course materials and practice with sample questions to become familiar with the format of the exam.

The cost of taking the CMAA exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $110-$150. Additionally, some employers may offer tuition assistance or reimbursement for employees who wish to pursue their CMAA certification.

5. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional certification for medical coders. It is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The certification is designed to demonstrate a professional’s knowledge and proficiency in coding medical services and procedures for reimbursement purposes.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CPC exam, depending on the individual's prior experience and knowledge. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding, HCPCS Level II procedure coding, and CPT® procedural coding.

To get the CPC certification, individuals must first join the AAPC as a member. After becoming a member they can register for the exam online or by mail. The cost of registration is $399 USD for members and $499 USD for non-members.

6. Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)

Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) is a professional certification program offered by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). The CPPS credential is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the core competencies in patient safety and quality improvement. This certification is intended for professionals who are actively engaged in patient safety and quality improvement initiatives, including those working in healthcare organizations, health systems, government agencies, consulting firms, and other related industries.

The CPPS program consists of two parts: an online assessment and an in-person proctored exam. The online assessment covers topics such as patient safety principles, risk management, quality improvement methods, communication skills, and leadership. The proctored exam requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the core competencies through multiple choice questions and case studies.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the CPPS program. To get started on the path towards becoming a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS), applicants must first submit an application form along with a fee of $350 USD. After submitting the application form, applicants will receive access to the online assessment which must be completed within six months of submission. Once the online assessment has been completed successfully, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for the proctored exam which must be taken within three months of completing the online assessment.

The cost for taking the CPPS exam is $400 USD for NPSF members or $500 USD for non-members. Upon successful completion of both parts of the program, applicants will receive their official certification from NPSF validating their expertise in patient safety and quality improvement initiatives.

7. Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE)

Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) is a professional certification program offered by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved excellence in the practice management field. The CMPE credential is awarded to those who demonstrate a mastery of business and operational skills, as well as an understanding of healthcare delivery systems.

The CMPE certification process consists of three parts: an application process, a written exam, and an oral examination. To apply for the CMPE certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in medical practice management and be members of ACMPE. The written exam covers topics such as financial management, operations management, legal and regulatory issues, human resources management, information technology, marketing and communications, and quality improvement. The oral examination assesses the applicant's knowledge in areas such as leadership skills, strategic planning, organizational development and change management.

It typically takes up to six months to complete the CMPE certification process from start to finish. The cost of the CMPE certification varies depending on whether you are already an ACMPE member or not; however it typically ranges between $1,000 - $2,500 USD.

8. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a professional who has been certified by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to provide patient care and administrative support in a clinical setting. CCMAs are responsible for taking vital signs, performing basic laboratory tests, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians with patient care. They also maintain medical records, schedule appointments, and manage patient flow.

It typically takes between six months to one year to become a CCMA. To get certified as a CCMA, individuals must complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the NHA's Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and clinical procedures.

The cost of becoming a CCMA varies depending on the type of program chosen and any additional fees associated with it. Generally speaking, the cost of certification ranges from $200-$400 USD.

9. Certified Professional Administrator in Healthcare Management (CPAHM)

The Certified Professional Administrator in Healthcare Management (CPAHM) is a credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of healthcare administrators in the field of healthcare management. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s mastery of the core competencies required for effective leadership and management in healthcare settings.

To become certified, applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in healthcare administration, hold a master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, and pass an examination administered by the National Association of Healthcare Administrators (NAHCA). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as healthcare policy, finance, operations, legal and regulatory issues, human resources management, and quality assurance.

The certification process typically takes between four to six months to complete. The cost for taking the exam is $400 for NAHCA members ($450 for non-members), plus any applicable taxes. Once certified, there are annual renewal fees associated with maintaining the credential.

10. Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR)

A Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals with expertise in the field of healthcare revenue cycle management. This certification provides employers with assurance that their employees have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage the financial aspects of patient care.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam administered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM). The exam covers topics such as medical coding, billing processes, collections, insurance reimbursement, and other related topics. The cost of the exam is $200 and it takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle management or a related field. Additionally, they must have completed a minimum of 20 hours of approved continuing education within the last three years prior to taking the exam.

The CRCR certification is valid for three years from the date it was earned. To maintain certification status, individuals must complete 10 hours of approved continuing education every year and pay an annual recertification fee of $50.

Do You Really Need a Assistant Administrator Certificate?

Whether you need an Assistant Administrator Certificate or not depends on your career goals and the requirements of the job you are applying for. An Assistant Administrator Certificate is a professional credential that shows employers that you have acquired specific knowledge and skills related to administrative and managerial roles in an organization.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as an assistant administrator, then having this certificate will be beneficial to your application. It will demonstrate to employers that you have taken the time to gain additional knowledge and training in order to be successful in the role. Additionally, it may also help open up more job opportunities since it will show employers that you are serious about your career and willing to invest in yourself.

On the other hand, if you are applying for jobs that do not require any specific credentials or certifications, then having an Assistant Administrator Certificate may not be necessary. In this case, an employer may look at other factors such as experience and personal qualities when making their decision.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Assistant Administrator Certificate depends on your individual situation and the job requirements of a particular position. If it is something that can help set you apart from other applicants, then it may be worth considering getting one.

Related: Assistant Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Assistant Administrator Certifications

1. What are the requirements for becoming an assistant administrator?

Answer: Generally, assistant administrators must have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field, as well as experience in administrative management. Depending on the organization, additional certifications may also be required.

2. How long does it take to get an assistant administrator certification?

Answer: The length of time it takes to obtain an assistant administrator certification varies depending on the type of program and your prior education and experience. In general, most programs can be completed within two years.

3. What are the benefits of obtaining an assistant administrator certification?

Answer: An assistant administrator certification can open up career opportunities in a range of industries, demonstrate expertise and knowledge in administrative management, and provide professional credibility. It can also lead to higher salary potential and better job prospects.

4. Are there any online courses available for assistant administrator certifications?

Answer: Yes, there are many online courses available for those seeking to obtain an assistant administrator certification. These courses typically include instruction in areas such as project management, budgeting, communication skills, risk management, customer service and more.

5. Is there a cost associated with obtaining an assistant administrator certification?

Answer: Yes, there is usually a cost associated with obtaining an assistant administrator certification depending on the program you choose and any additional materials that may be required (e.g., textbooks).