Top 10 Health Care Specialist Certifications

Certifications are a valuable asset for any health care specialist in the job market. They demonstrate to employers that the individual has the knowledge and experience necessary to perform their job successfully. Certifications also provide evidence of commitment to professional development, which can make an individual stand out from other applicants. Additionally, certifications may give access to exclusive resources or networks that can help advance one's career. Finally, some organizations require certain credentials as a prerequisite for hiring, so having certifications can be critical for obtaining certain jobs.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Health Care Specialists and explain how they can enhance their professional career.

What are Health Care Specialist Certifications?

Health care specialist certification is a professional credential that demonstrates expertise in a specific area of health care. It is usually awarded after a person has completed an intensive course of study, and demonstrates that the individual has the knowledge and skills to provide quality patient care. Certification can help health care specialists demonstrate their competence, gain credibility with patients, employers, and colleagues, and advance their career. It also provides them with an opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in their field. For employers, certification can be beneficial as it ensures that they have staff members who are qualified and knowledgeable about their specialty. In addition, certified health care specialists often have access to resources such as continuing education opportunities, professional organizations, and networking events that can help them further develop their skills.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different health care specialist certifications available before deciding on one. Each certification requires different qualifications and has different requirements, so make sure to find one that best fits your needs and experience.

Related: What does a Health Care Specialist do?

Top 10 Health Care Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Health Care Specialists today.

1. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is a professional who provides clinical and administrative support to healthcare providers. They are responsible for taking vital signs, administering medications, preparing patients for exams, collecting laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, and providing patient education. The CMA must also be knowledgeable about medical terminology and have excellent communication skills.

It typically takes between one and two years to become a Certified Medical Assistant. To become certified, individuals must complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) certification exam. Many programs offer both classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience in a clinical setting.

The cost of becoming a Certified Medical Assistant varies depending on the type of program you choose. Most programs range from $1,000 - $4,000 for tuition and fees. Additionally, there is an exam fee of $125 that must be paid before taking the AAMA certification exam.

In addition to completing an accredited program and passing the AAMA certification exam, CMAs must also maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every two years in order to remain certified.

2. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic care to patients in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other medical settings. CNAs are supervised by Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses and work closely with patients to provide assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.

It typically takes 6-12 weeks to become a CNA depending on the program you choose. Most programs include classroom instruction as well as hands-on clinical experience. After completing the program, students must pass a state certification exam before they can begin working as a CNA.

The cost of becoming a CNA varies depending on the program you choose and your location. Many community colleges offer affordable programs that range from $500-$2,000. In addition to tuition fees, there may be additional costs associated with books, supplies, and uniforms.

Once certified, CNAs must maintain their certification by renewing it every two years and completing continuing education courses as required by their state board of nursing.

3. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is a certification that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills to safely perform venipunctures, capillary punctures, and other related laboratory procedures. It is typically obtained through a training program or course offered by a college, university, or other accredited institution. The program typically takes between 4-6 months to complete, depending on the institution and the student's ability to complete the coursework.

In order to receive CPT certification, individuals must pass an exam administered by either the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The cost of the exam varies depending on which organization administers it; however, it generally ranges from $100-$200. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining a CPT certification such as tuition fees for the training program or course.

4. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a medical assistant who has completed an accredited program and passed the national certification exam. CCMAs are trained to perform both administrative and clinical duties in a variety of healthcare settings, including doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

The length of time it takes to become certified as a CCMA varies depending on the individual's educational background and experience. Generally, it takes between six months and one year to complete the necessary coursework and training in order to become certified.

In order to become a CCMA, individuals must first complete an accredited medical assisting program or equivalent coursework. After completing the program, they must then pass the national certification exam administered by either the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or American Medical Technologists (AMT).

The cost of becoming a CCMA varies depending on the specific program chosen. Generally speaking, programs range from $500-$2,000 for tuition alone. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with textbooks and supplies as well as fees for taking the certification exam.

5. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional who specializes in managing and analyzing healthcare data. RHITs are responsible for maintaining accurate and complete medical records, coding diagnoses and procedures, and ensuring the privacy of patient information.

To become an RHIT, you must complete a two-year associate degree program in health information technology from an accredited college or university. The curriculum typically includes courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding systems, health information management systems, legal issues related to healthcare data, and other topics related to the field.

Once you have completed your degree program, you must pass the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Passing this exam will earn you the credential of RHIT.

The cost of tuition for an associate degree in health information technology can vary depending on the school and state. Generally speaking, tuition costs range from $5,000 to $20,000 per year. Additionally, there is a fee associated with taking the RHIT exam which is currently set at $199 for AHIMA members or $299 for non-members.

6. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a certification offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed for individuals who are interested in coding and billing for medical services. The CPC certification is the most widely recognized and accepted credential in the health care industry.

It typically takes between six to nine months to complete the necessary coursework and pass the exam, depending on how much time an individual can dedicate to studying. The AAPC offers self-study courses, online classes, and live classroom sessions. The cost of these courses varies depending on which type of course an individual chooses.

In order to earn the CPC certification, individuals must successfully complete a 150-question multiple-choice exam that covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, coding guidelines, reimbursement methodologies, ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, CPT procedure codes, HCPCS Level II codes, and modifiers. Individuals must also obtain a passing score on a practical exam that tests their ability to code from actual patient records.

The cost of taking the CPC exam is $399 for members of AAPC and $499 for nonmembers.

7. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of medical office managers. It is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CMOM certification is a voluntary credential that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in medical office management.

To become certified, applicants must complete an application and pass a written exam. The exam covers topics such as medical office operations, patient relations, billing and coding, legal issues, and other related topics. It typically takes about 6-8 months to prepare for the exam, depending on the individual’s background and experience.

The cost of obtaining the CMOM certification varies depending on which AAPC membership level you choose. The basic membership fee is $199 per year plus an additional $195 for the CMOM certification fee. There are also discounts available for those who qualify based on their current employment status or educational background.

Overall, obtaining the CMOM certification can be an excellent way to demonstrate your commitment to excellence in medical office management and increase your credibility among colleagues and employers alike.

8. Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of medical assisting. An RMA is a healthcare professional who performs administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. These tasks may include taking patient histories, preparing patients for examinations, recording vital signs, performing basic laboratory tests, administering medications, providing patient education and more.

It typically takes between 6 months to 1 year to become an RMA depending on the program you choose. To become an RMA you must complete a formal medical assistant training program that is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). After completing your training program you must then pass an exam administered by either the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

The cost of becoming an RMA varies depending on which program you choose and what type of certification you are seeking. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2000 for tuition alone. Additional costs such as books, supplies and exam fees should also be taken into consideration when budgeting for your certification.

9. Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B)

A Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) is a healthcare professional who provides pre-hospital care to patients with illnesses or injuries. They are trained to assess the condition of patients and provide basic treatments such as CPR, splinting, oxygen administration, and bleeding control. EMT-Bs also transport patients to medical facilities for further treatment.

To become an EMT-B, you must complete a state approved program that includes both classroom instruction and clinical experience. Depending on the state, programs can range from 120 to 150 hours in length and usually take between four and six months to complete.

In order to be certified as an EMT-B, you must pass both a written exam and a practical exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The cost of the exams vary depending on the state but typically range from $70-$100 each. After passing these exams, you will need to apply for licensure through your state's health department in order to practice as an EMT-B.

The total cost of becoming an EMT-B can vary depending on the program you choose and your state's requirements but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 including tuition fees, textbooks, supplies, exams fees, licensure fees etc.

10. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

A Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a professional who has completed an accredited training program and passed a national certification exam. CPhTs are responsible for assisting pharmacists in providing medication and health care products to patients. They may also be responsible for preparing medications, maintaining patient records, billing insurance companies, and answering customer questions.

It typically takes about six months to complete the necessary training to become a CPhT. This includes completing an accredited pharmacy technician program, which can be done at a community college or vocational school. After completing the program, students must pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The cost of becoming certified as a CPhT varies depending on the type of program you choose to take and whether or not you need to purchase any additional materials such as textbooks or study guides. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$1,000 for tuition and fees plus any additional materials needed.

Once you have successfully completed your training and passed the PTCE exam, you will receive your CPhT certification from the PTCB. This certification is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years in order to remain active.

Do You Really Need a Health Care Specialist Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no. A Health Care Specialist Certificate is not required to work in the health care field, but it may be beneficial depending on the type of job you are pursuing.

If you are looking for a job as a medical assistant or a nurse's aide, then having a Health Care Specialist Certificate can give you an edge over other applicants. It shows that you have taken the time and effort to gain specialized knowledge in the field of health care. This can help you stand out from the competition and make you more attractive to potential employers.

However, if you are looking for a higher level position such as a registered nurse or physician assistant, then having a Health Care Specialist Certificate may not be necessary. In these cases, employers will usually require that applicants have at least an associate degree in nursing or a related field of study. Depending on the state in which you live, some employers may also require that applicants hold certification from an accredited program such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

In conclusion, whether or not you need a Health Care Specialist Certificate depends largely on what type of job you are seeking in the health care field. If you want to increase your chances of getting hired for certain positions, it can be beneficial to obtain additional certifications and credentials that demonstrate your commitment to professional development and expertise in health care.

Related: Health Care Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Health Care Specialist Certifications

1. What certifications do health care specialists need?

Answer: Health care specialists typically need a variety of certifications, such as those related to medical assisting, nursing, pharmacy technology, and medical coding. Depending on the specific specialty area, additional certifications may be required.

2. How do I obtain a certification as a health care specialist?

Answer: Obtaining a certification as a health care specialist requires meeting the eligibility requirements and passing the necessary exams. Generally, you must have some related work experience and/or education in order to qualify for certain certifications.

3. Are there any prerequisites for health care specialist certifications?

Answer: Yes, depending on the type of certification you are seeking, there may be prerequisites that must be met in order to qualify for the certification exam. These can include completing an accredited program or having previous work experience in the field.

4. What is the cost of obtaining a health care specialist certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a health care specialist certification will vary depending on the type of certification you are seeking and whether or not you are taking an online or in-person course. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 - $1,000+ for most certifications.

5. How long does it take to receive my health care specialist certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to receive your certification will depend on several factors including your chosen method of study (e.g., online vs in-person), whether or not you are taking practice exams prior to taking the actual exam, and how quickly you complete all necessary requirements such as coursework and exams. On average, it can take anywhere from two weeks up to several months depending on these factors.