Top 11 Intake Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for an intake specialist in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the role. Certifications provide employers with evidence that the applicant is qualified and competent, which can help them stand out from other applicants. Certifications also serve as a way for employers to gauge an applicant’s commitment to their chosen field, as certification programs often require a certain amount of time and effort to complete. Furthermore, certifications can help an intake specialist stay up-to-date on any changes or developments in the field, which can be beneficial when it comes to providing quality care.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Intake Specialists and explains how they can help to advance an intake specialist's career.

What are Intake Specialist Certifications?

Intake specialist certification is a form of professional credentialing that provides specialized training and validation of knowledge and skills in the field of intake services. Intake specialists are responsible for coordinating the process of assessing, documenting and providing support to individuals who are entering into an organization’s service system. This may involve gathering data from clients, completing paperwork, evaluating eligibility for services, and referring clients to other programs or agencies when appropriate.

The certification provides evidence that an individual has successfully completed a program or training course related to intake services. This can help employers ensure that their staff have the necessary qualifications to provide effective services for their clients. It also serves as recognition for professionals who have dedicated significant time and effort to improving their understanding and expertise in this area.

Having intake specialist certification helps those who work in social services demonstrate their commitment to quality care, enhance their credentials, increase job opportunities, and gain access to more advanced positions within the field. Furthermore, it can be used as a tool for career advancement by allowing individuals to show potential employers that they possess the necessary qualifications required for certain roles within the organization.

Pro Tip: Get certified as an Intake Specialist so you can be more knowledgeable about different types of intakes and patient care. To do this, research the certifications available in your area and make sure to get the necessary training and experience to qualify for the certifications. Additionally, stay up-to-date on any new developments or changes in the field.

Related: What does an Intake Specialist do?

Top 11 Intake Specialist Certifications

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

1. Certified Intake Specialist (CIS)

A Certified Intake Specialist (CIS) is a professional who helps clients understand their legal rights and options when facing a legal issue. The CIS assists with the intake process, which includes gathering information from the client and providing advice on how to proceed.

The certification process typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete, depending on the individual’s experience and knowledge. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as legal terminology, court procedures, interviewing techniques, ethics and more. The exam is administered by a third-party organization such as the National Association of Legal Professionals or the American Bar Association.

In order to take the exam, applicants must first register with one of these organizations and pay a fee for registration and testing materials. The cost of certification varies depending on the organization but can range from $100-$500. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their official CIS certification from the organization they registered with.

2. Certified Professional Intake Specialist (CPIS)

Certified Professional Intake Specialist (CPIS) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of intake services. The CPIS credential is awarded by the National Association of Intake Professionals (NAIP), and it is the only nationally recognized certification for intake professionals.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain criteria, including having at least two years of professional experience in an intake-related role or related field. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by NAIP. The exam consists of multiple choice and essay questions that cover topics such as intake processes, client assessment and referral services, risk management, ethics, legal issues, and professional standards.

The cost to take the CPIS exam is $250 USD. It typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive results from the exam after it has been taken. Once certified, CPIS holders must recertify every three years to maintain their credentials. Recertification requires completion of continuing education credits and payment of a fee.

3. Certified Intake Coordinator (CIC)

A Certified Intake Coordinator (CIC) is a professional who specializes in the intake process for healthcare facilities. CICs are responsible for managing patient intake, verifying insurance coverage and eligibility, collecting payments, and providing customer service to patients. The CIC certification program is offered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM).

To become certified as a CIC, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient registration, insurance verification, payment collection, customer service, and other related topics. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of the CIC certification exam varies depending on the AAHAM chapter where you take it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $125 to $250. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CIC certificate within 4-6 weeks.

In addition to taking the exam and paying the associated fees, applicants must also have at least one year of experience working in a healthcare setting prior to applying for certification.

4. Certified Patient Access Professional (CPAP)

Certified Patient Access Professional (CPAP) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). The CPAP certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of patient access services, including registration, scheduling, insurance verification, and financial counseling.

The CPAP certification requires completion of an online exam that consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as customer service, communication skills, medical terminology, patient rights and responsibilities, insurance verification and billing processes. It typically takes about 4-6 hours to complete the exam.

In order to be eligible for the CPAP certification, you must have at least one year of full-time experience in a healthcare setting or two years of part-time experience within the past three years. You must also submit proof of your current professional membership in NAHAM.

The cost for the CPAP certification is $300 for non-members and $250 for members. This fee includes the application fee and examination fee.

5. Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize healthcare access professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to manage the patient access process. The CHAM certification is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).

The CHAM certification is a two-part exam that tests a candidate’s knowledge of healthcare access management principles, practices, and regulations. The first part consists of multiple-choice questions while the second part consists of an essay-style question. Candidates must pass both parts in order to become certified.

In order to take the CHAM exam, candidates must have at least two years of experience in healthcare access management or related fields. They also need to complete an application and pay an application fee. Once they are approved, they can register for the exam and pay an additional fee.

The cost for the CHAM exam varies based on whether you are a NAHAM member or non-member. For NAHAM members, it costs $395 for both parts of the exam; for non-members, it costs $495 for both parts. The cost does not include any study materials or preparation courses that may be necessary for success on the exam.

It typically takes about four weeks from when you apply until you receive your results from taking the CHAM exam.

6. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification for medical office managers. It is designed to recognize the unique skills and knowledge required to effectively manage a medical office. The CMOM certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for the CMOM certification. To be eligible, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a medical office setting and must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient care, billing and coding, management of personnel and resources, and compliance with applicable laws.

The cost of the CMOM certification varies depending on whether you are taking the exam online or in person. The online exam costs $299, while the in-person exam costs $399. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain locations.

Once certified, CMOMs are required to maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses every two years.

7. Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP)

Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP) is a professional certification program offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in all aspects of healthcare revenue cycle management.

The CRCP program consists of two parts: an online examination and a comprehensive case study. The online examination covers topics such as patient access, coding, billing, collections, accounts receivable management, and reimbursement. The case study requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the areas of financial analysis and decision-making related to revenue cycle operations.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CRCP program. During this time, applicants must complete the online exam and submit their case study for review by HFMA's Certification Board.

To get certified as a CRCP, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least three years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle operations or a related field. Applicants must also pass the online exam with a score of 80% or higher and successfully complete the case study.

The cost for the CRCP program varies depending on whether you are an HFMA member or non-member. For members, it costs $595 for the application fee plus $395 for each part of the exam (online exam and case study). For non-members, it costs $795 for the application fee plus $495 for each part of the exam (online exam and case study).

8. Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)

A Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) is a professional who specializes in medical billing and coding. This certification is designed to demonstrate a mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary to accurately process medical claims for reimbursement from insurance companies, government agencies, and other payers.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to obtain the CMRS certification. The process starts with completing an accredited training program that covers all aspects of medical reimbursement, including coding, billing, collections, appeals, and more. After completing the coursework, applicants must pass an exam administered by the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA).

The cost of obtaining the CMRS certification varies depending on the training program chosen. Most programs range from $1,500-$3,000 for tuition and materials. In addition to tuition costs, there may be additional fees associated with taking the AMBA exam.

Once certified as a CMRS specialist, individuals can pursue career opportunities in healthcare organizations such as hospitals or physician practices where they will be responsible for ensuring accurate reimbursement for services provided by healthcare providers.

9. Certified Health Information Technician (CHIT)

A Certified Health Information Technician (CHIT) is a professional who specializes in the management, analysis, and maintenance of patient health information. CHITs are responsible for ensuring that patient records are accurate, secure, and up to date. They also help ensure compliance with federal regulations such as HIPAA and HITECH.

To become a CHIT, an individual must complete a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The program typically takes two years to complete and includes coursework in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, coding systems, data analysis, healthcare reimbursement methods, electronic health record systems, privacy and security regulations, quality assurance measures, and more.

The cost of the program varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking though you can expect to pay anywhere from $5-10K for tuition fees alone. Additionally there will be additional costs associated with books/materials and other miscellaneous fees.

Once you have completed your CAHIIM accredited program you will need to pass the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam administered by AHIMA in order to become certified as a CHIT. The cost of the exam is $199 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees.

10. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been certified by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to demonstrate competency in the use of electronic health records systems. The CEHRS certification is designed to ensure that healthcare professionals have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively use electronic health record systems.

The CEHRS certification requires candidates to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of electronic health records systems and related topics such as medical coding, privacy and security, and data management. Candidates must also complete an approved training program prior to taking the exam. The NHA offers several online programs that can be completed in as little as three months.

To become a CEHRS, candidates must first register with the NHA and pay a fee of $179 for the exam. After registering, candidates will receive instructions on how to prepare for the exam and access study materials. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their certification from the NHA.

The cost of becoming a CEHRS varies depending on which training program you choose; however, most programs range from $500-$1000. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or travel expenses if you need to take it at a testing center outside of your area.

11. Professional in Patient Access Management (PPAM).

Professional in Patient Access Management (PPAM) is a certification program designed to provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage patient access within their organization. The PPAM program is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

The PPAM certification program consists of four courses: Patient Access Foundations, Patient Access Systems, Patient Access Processes, and Patient Access Compliance. It takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete all four courses.

In order to get the PPAM certification, you must first become a member of AAPC. Membership costs $199 for one year or $299 for two years. Once you have joined AAPC, you can then register for the PPAM program and purchase the course materials. The cost of the course materials varies from $400-$600 depending on which package you choose.

Once you have completed all four courses and passed the final exam, you will receive your PPAM certification from AAPC. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking additional continuing education courses or retaking the exam after two years.

Do You Really Need a Intake Specialist Certificate?

The answer to this question ultimately depends on your individual career goals and objectives. An Intake Specialist Certificate can be a valuable asset for those looking to pursue a career in the healthcare field, as it can provide additional knowledge and skills that may be required for certain positions. For example, an Intake Specialist Certificate may provide training in patient intake procedures, medical coding and billing, customer service skills, and more.

In addition to providing specialized knowledge of the healthcare industry, a certificate in Intake Specialization can also demonstrate that you have a dedication to your chosen profession. This can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions. Furthermore, some employers require their employees to have certifications in order to qualify for certain positions or roles. Therefore, having an Intake Specialist Certificate could be beneficial if you are seeking employment in this field.

Overall, whether or not you need an Intake Specialist Certificate will depend on your own personal goals and ambitions. If you feel that having this certification could give you an edge over other applicants or potentially open up opportunities within the healthcare industry, then it may be worth considering obtaining one.

Related: Intake Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Intake Specialist Certifications

1. What is an intake specialist certification?

Answer: An intake specialist certification is a designation that certifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of intake and admissions of patients into healthcare facilities. It is designed to help ensure that individuals have the appropriate training and understanding of the processes involved in patient intake and admissions.

2. How do I become certified as an intake specialist?

Answer: To become certified, you must complete a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Care Management Education (CAHME). The program must include coursework in healthcare management, patient intakes, and admissions process. Additionally, you may need to pass an examination administered by CAHME or another approved organization.

3. What are the benefits of becoming an intake specialist?

Answer: Becoming certified as an intake specialist can provide various benefits such as increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security. Furthermore, it demonstrates to employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills required to work in this field effectively.

4. How long does it take to get certified as an intake specialist?

Answer: The length of time it takes to become certified depends on your individual situation and which accrediting body you choose to go through for certification. Generally speaking, most programs take at least six months to complete with additional time needed for study and preparation for any examinations that may be required.

5. Is there continuing education required after certification?

Answer: Yes, continuing education is often required in order to maintain your certification status as an Intake Specialist. This can involve taking courses or attending workshops related to patient intakes or other healthcare topics throughout your career in order to stay up-to-date with current trends in the industry.