Top 10 Clinical Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for clinical coordinators in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that is above and beyond what most applicants can offer. They show potential employers that the applicant has taken the initiative to gain additional training and education, which can make them more attractive to hiring managers. Certifications can also help clinical coordinators stand out from other applicants and distinguish themselves as qualified candidates. Additionally, certifications may be required for certain positions or may provide access to higher-paying roles. Ultimately, certifications can give clinical coordinators an edge over other applicants when it comes to finding employment in their field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Clinical Coordinators and explains how they can enhance a Clinical Coordinator's professional development and career prospects.

What are Clinical Coordinator Certifications?

Clinical coordinator certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to serve in a clinical coordination role. Clinical coordinators are responsible for overseeing clinical operations, managing patient care, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. A clinical coordinator certification demonstrates that an individual has the necessary qualifications and experience to successfully manage these responsibilities.

The certification provides recognition of an individual's knowledge of the principles, practices, and standards of healthcare management. It also indicates that an individual has achieved a level of expertise beyond that obtained through formal education or on-the-job training. Certification provides evidence of an individual’s commitment to continuing professional development, as well as their dedication to excellence in their field.

By earning a clinical coordinator certification, individuals can demonstrate their competency in areas such as patient safety, quality assurance, risk management, communication skills, and more. This can help them stand out among other job applicants when applying for positions in the healthcare industry. In addition, having this credential may help individuals obtain higher salaries due to increased job security and recognition from employers.

Pro tip: Before pursuing a clinical coordinator certification, research and understand the requirements for the particular certification you are interested in. Different certifications may have different prerequisites for eligibility, such as specific coursework or experience. Additionally, look into the cost of the certification and any renewal fees that may be required.

Related: What does a Clinical Coordinator do?

Top 10 Clinical Coordinator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Clinical Coordinators today.

1. Certified Clinical Coordinator (CCC)

A Certified Clinical Coordinator (CCC) is a professional certification that demonstrates a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of clinical coordination. This certification is offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ).

The CCC credential is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and understanding of the principles, processes, and practices related to clinical coordination. It also validates an individual’s commitment to quality patient care and safety.

To obtain the CCC credential, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having at least two years of experience in healthcare quality or clinical coordination. Additionally, applicants must pass a written exam that covers topics such as patient safety, performance improvement, risk management, and data management.

The exam fee for the CCC credential is $295 for NAHQ members and $395 for non-members. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

Once all eligibility requirements have been met and the exam has been successfully passed, individuals will receive their CCC certificate from NAHQ. The certification is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

2. Certified Nursing Home Administrator (CNHA)

Certified Nursing Home Administrator (CNHA) is a professional certification for those who manage nursing homes. It is awarded by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). The certification requires applicants to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health care administration or related field, as well as at least two years of experience in a long-term care setting.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete the application process and receive the CNHA certification. Applicants must submit an application, provide proof of educational qualifications and work experience, and pass an exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as regulations, ethics, management principles, financial management, personnel management, and resident rights.

The cost of obtaining the CNHA certification varies depending on the state in which you are applying. Generally speaking, it can range from $200-$600 for the application fee and exam fee combined.

3. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a certification program for medical office managers. It is designed to provide recognition of the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a successful medical office. The program is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

It takes approximately six months to complete the CMOM program. The program consists of four courses: Medical Office Management, Medical Coding, Human Resources Management, and Financial Management. Each course requires a passing score on an exam in order to earn the certification.

To get started, you must first become a member of AAPC and pay an annual membership fee of $99. You can then register for the CMOM program online and pay the registration fee of $295. After registering, you will receive access to all four courses and exams. Once you have completed all four courses and passed all four exams, you will be eligible to receive your CMOM certification.

The total cost for obtaining the CMOM certification is $394 ($99 + $295).

4. Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a professional certification offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). The CPHQ certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in healthcare quality and performance improvement.

The CPHQ certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to healthcare quality and performance improvement. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient safety, risk management, data analysis, quality management systems, and process improvement.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. The exam costs $495 for NAHQ members and $595 for non-members.

To prepare for the exam, applicants are encouraged to review the CPHQ Exam Content Outline which outlines the topics covered on the exam. In addition, NAHQ offers study materials such as practice exams and webinars to help candidates prepare for the exam.

Once an applicant has passed the exam they will receive their CPHQ certification from NAHQ which is valid for three years. Renewal of the certification requires completion of 45 hours of continuing education credits within three years prior to renewal date.

5. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in medical coding. This certification is one of the most sought-after credentials in the healthcare industry, and it is a requirement for many positions in medical coding.

The CPC exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, HCPCS Level II codes, CPT codes, and other related coding guidelines. The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete and can be taken at any AAPC testing center or online.

In order to qualify for the CPC exam, applicants must have either completed an accredited training program or have two years of professional experience in medical coding. Applicants must also pass a background check and submit a valid ID before taking the exam.

The cost of the CPC exam varies depending on whether you are an AAPC member or not. For non-members, the cost is $399; for members, it is $299. The fee includes access to an online practice test and study materials as well as an application fee and proctoring fees if you take the exam at a testing center.

Once you have successfully passed the CPC exam, you will receive your certification within 6 weeks and will be able to use the designation “CPC” after your name on all official documents.

6. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is a healthcare professional who works in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. They perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office running smoothly. CMAs are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, taking vital signs, preparing patients for examinations and procedures, collecting laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, administering medications as directed by physicians or nurse practitioners, recording patient information in medical records, and providing patient education.

The certification process typically takes about six months to complete. The first step is to complete an accredited medical assistant program at an accredited college or university. After completing the program you must then pass the CMA exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you have passed the exam you will be awarded your CMA certification.

The cost of obtaining a CMA certification varies depending on where you take the course and how long it takes you to complete it. Generally speaking, the cost can range from around $500 to over $2000 depending on the institution and length of time required to complete the program.

7. Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)

A Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) is a professional who has been trained and certified to coordinate clinical research studies. The CCRC is responsible for ensuring that the study is conducted in accordance with all applicable regulations and guidelines, as well as any protocol established by the sponsor. They are also responsible for maintaining accurate records, collecting data, and reporting results to the sponsor.

It typically takes between one and two years of experience in clinical research to become eligible for certification. In addition, applicants must pass an exam administered by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). The cost of taking the exam varies depending on the country where it is taken, but usually ranges from $400-$600 USD.

8. Certified Case Manager (CCM)

Certified Case Manager (CCM) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of case managers who work with individuals, families, and groups to assess needs, develop plans, coordinate services, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes. This certification is offered by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC).

In order to become a Certified Case Manager (CCM), an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having a minimum of two years of full-time case management experience in the past five years or three years of part-time experience in the past five years; holding a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university; and passing the CCMC exam.

The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that are designed to measure an individual’s knowledge and understanding of case management principles, practices, and ethics. The exam typically takes four hours to complete.

The cost for taking the CCMC exam varies depending on whether you are a member of CCMC or not. If you are not a member, it costs $395 USD to take the exam. If you are a member, it costs $295 USD to take the exam.

Once you have passed the CCMC exam, you will receive your official Certified Case Manager (CCM) credential from CCMC. You will also be required to renew your certification every five years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the examination.

9. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional certification for individuals who have completed an accredited associate's degree program in health information technology. This certification is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The RHIT certification requires that applicants have successfully completed an accredited two-year associate’s degree program in health information technology and passed the AHIMA-administered Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. The RHIT exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as data analysis, coding and classification systems, legal and ethical issues, healthcare reimbursement methods, and quality improvement processes.

It typically takes two years to complete an associate’s degree program in health information technology, although some programs may offer accelerated options. After completing the degree program, applicants must then pass the RHIT exam before they can become certified.

The cost of taking the RHIT exam varies depending on where you take it and which version of the test you choose. The standard fee for taking the RHIT exam is $299; however, there are discounts available for members of AHIMA or those who are enrolled in an approved educational institution.

10. American Academy of Professional Coders Certification (AAPC-CPC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC-CPC) certification is a nationally recognized credential that recognizes medical coding professionals for their expertise in coding and reimbursement. This certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of coders who work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, insurance companies and other healthcare organizations.

To obtain the AAPC-CPC certification, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, CPT codes and HCPCS Level II codes. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions with a four hour time limit.

In order to take the exam, applicants must first become a member of the AAPC. Membership fees vary depending on your location and range from $50-$150 per year. Once you have become a member you will be able to register for the exam which costs $399 for members or $449 for nonmembers.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the exam; however this can vary depending on individual experience levels. During this time it is important to study hard using resources such as textbooks, practice exams and online courses. Once you have successfully passed the exam you will receive your CPC certification which is valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

Do You Really Need a Clinical Coordinator Certificate?

Whether you need a clinical coordinator certificate or not depends on what kind of job you are looking for and the requirements of that job. Clinical coordinators typically work in the healthcare field, managing patient care and overseeing clinical staff. Many employers prefer to hire those with a clinical coordinator certificate, as it demonstrates a level of knowledge and proficiency in the field.

The most common way to obtain a clinical coordinator certificate is through an accredited program or course. These programs typically involve classroom instruction, online training, and hands-on experience in a medical setting. The curriculum usually covers topics such as medical terminology, health care administration, patient safety protocols, and team building skills. Completing this type of certification program allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of the field and your commitment to improving patient care.

Although having a clinical coordinator certificate can be beneficial when applying for certain jobs, it is not always necessary. In some cases, employers may accept applicants who have relevant experience or education in other areas, such as nursing or healthcare administration. Additionally, some organizations may offer on-the-job training that can help you develop the skills necessary for the job without needing to take additional courses or earn a certification beforehand.

Ultimately, whether you need a clinical coordinator certificate depends on your individual situation and goals. It’s important to consider what type of job you are looking for and research the requirements for that role before deciding if earning a certification is necessary for you to pursue that career path.

Related: Clinical Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Clinical Coordinator Certifications

1. What is a Clinical Coordinator Certification?

Answer: A Clinical Coordinator Certification is a credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the field of clinical coordination. These certifications are typically awarded by professional organizations or associations and they demonstrate an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to clinical coordination.

2. How do I become certified as a Clinical Coordinator?

Answer: To become certified as a Clinical Coordinator, you must first meet certain educational and experience requirements, then successfully complete an approved certification exam. Depending on the organization offering the certification, additional requirements may include letters of recommendation and/or completion of continuing education credits.

3. What topics are covered in the Clinical Coordinator Certification exam?

Answer: The topics covered in the Clinical Coordinator Certification exam vary depending on the organization offering the certification; however, some common topics may include patient safety, quality assurance, data management and analysis, risk management principles, communication strategies with patients and other healthcare providers, health care regulations and policies, project management skills, clinical documentation standards and practices.

4. How long does it take to receive my Clinical Coordinator Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to receive your Clinical Coordinator Certification varies depending on the organization offering the certification; however it usually takes 4-6 weeks after completing all necessary requirements to receive your certificate in the mail.

5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Clinical Coordinator Certification?

Answer: Yes - most organizations offering a Clinical Coordinator Certification require applicants to have at least two years of relevant work experience in addition to completing approved educational courses related to clinical coordination before applying for certification.