Top 10 Patient Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for patient coordinators in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and knowledge in their field. Certifications can also prove to employers that the candidate is committed to professional development and staying up-to-date on industry trends. Additionally, certifications can help to differentiate candidates from other applicants who may not have the same level of education or experience. Finally, having a certification can give patient coordinators an edge over others when it comes to salary negotiations and career advancement opportunities.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Patient Coordinators and explains how they can contribute to a patient coordinator's career, providing insight on how these certifications could help them advance their profession.

What are Patient Coordinator Certifications?

Patient coordinator certification is a type of professional credential offered to individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of patient care coordination. This certification is designed to help healthcare professionals better understand the complexities of coordinating patient care, including scheduling appointments and coordinating referrals, as well as communicating with patients, families and other healthcare providers. Patient coordinators are expected to possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, an understanding of medical terminology, knowledge of insurance regulations and reimbursement policies, and the ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment.

The certification program provides training on a range of topics related to patient care coordination. This includes instruction on how to organize patient records, manage electronic health records (EHRs), coordinate referrals between providers and facilities, facilitate follow-up appointments, review insurance claims and verify benefits eligibility. Additionally, this program also provides training on how to communicate effectively with patients and their families about treatment plans.

Overall, obtaining patient coordinator certification can provide valuable insight into the complexities of coordinating patient care while also demonstrating a commitment to professional development. The certification can help provide healthcare professionals with the skills they need to become more effective in their roles as patient coordinators. Furthermore, having this credential may qualify individuals for higher salaries or positions within healthcare organizations or facilities that require specialized knowledge in this area.

Pro Tip: When considering patient coordinator certification, make sure to research the requirements for your specific state or region. Depending on where you live, there may be additional certifications that you need to obtain in order to practice as a patient coordinator. Additionally, it is important to consider any continuing education that may be required to maintain your certification.

Related: What does a Patient Coordinator do?

Top 10 Patient Coordinator Certifications

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

1. Certified Patient Care Coordinator (CPCC)

A Certified Patient Care Coordinator (CPCC) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual's expertise in patient care coordination. The CPCC credential is designed to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who are responsible for coordinating the care of patients across multiple healthcare settings.

The CPCC certification is offered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM). To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of experience in patient care coordination and must pass a written examination. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient rights and responsibilities, communication strategies, healthcare reimbursement systems, and quality improvement initiatives.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CPCC exam. Candidates should plan to study for approximately 10 hours per week during this time period. Resources such as practice tests and study guides are available from AAHAM to help with preparation for the exam.

The cost to take the CPCC exam is $395 for AAHAM members and $495 for non-members. This fee includes access to online study resources as well as one retake if necessary.

2. Certified Medical Office Assistant/Patient Care Coordinator (CMOMA/PCC)

A Certified Medical Office Assistant/Patient Care Coordinator (CMOMA/PCC) is a professional who provides administrative and clinical support to healthcare providers. They are responsible for managing patient records, scheduling appointments, coordinating patient care, and providing customer service. CMOMA/PCCs also assist with medical billing and coding, insurance claims processing, and other office duties.

The certification process typically takes 4-6 months to complete. To become certified as a CMOMA/PCC, individuals must pass the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam. The exam consists of two parts: a written portion and an oral assessment. Candidates must complete both portions in order to be eligible for certification.

In order to prepare for the NHA exam, candidates can take online or in-person courses offered by various organizations such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). These courses provide instruction on topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, insurance claims processing, and more.

The cost of the NHA exam varies depending on where you take it and which organization you are taking it through. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $150-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking courses or purchasing study materials in preparation for the exam.

3. 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). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved excellence in healthcare quality management. The CPHQ credential demonstrates an individual's commitment to the highest standards of healthcare quality and provides evidence of their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The CPHQ certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in healthcare quality management and passing an exam that covers topics such as performance improvement, risk management, patient safety, data analysis, and regulatory compliance. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within four hours.

To obtain the CPHQ certification, applicants must submit an application to NAHQ that includes documentation verifying their work experience and education. Once approved, applicants can register for the exam through NAHQ’s website or by calling its customer service center.

The cost for the CPHQ certification exam is $395 for NAHQ members and $495 for non-members. Additionally, there are fees associated with maintaining the credential on an annual basis which range from $50-$100 depending on membership status.

4. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification for individuals who work in administrative roles within the healthcare industry. This certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage medical office operations.

The CMAA certification requires applicants to have at least one year of experience in a medical office setting, as well as successful completion of an exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, coding and billing, scheduling, insurance processing, and other administrative duties.

The cost of the exam is $125, and it can be taken at any NHA-approved testing center. It typically takes around two hours to complete the exam. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your CMAA certification within 4-6 weeks.

The cost of obtaining the CMAA certification varies depending on where you take the exam and whether or not you need additional training or materials to help prepare for it. Generally speaking, it should cost between $200-$400 to obtain your CMAA certification.

5. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a healthcare professional who has completed an accredited medical assistant program and passed the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification exam. CCMAs are responsible for performing clinical and administrative tasks in a variety of healthcare settings, including doctor's offices, hospitals, and clinics.

The length of time it takes to become a CCMA depends on the individual's educational background, experience level, and the type of program they choose. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the NHA certification exam.

To become a CCMA, individuals must first complete an accredited medical assistant program that is approved by either the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). After completing their education, individuals must then pass the NHA certification exam which consists of 160 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, patient care skills, and medical office procedures.

The cost to become a CCMA varies depending on the type of program chosen. Generally speaking, tuition for an accredited medical assistant program ranges from $2,000-$20,000 depending on whether it is online or in-person. Additionally, there is also a fee associated with taking the NHA certification exam which currently costs $125.

6. Certified Patient Representative (CPR)

Certified Patient Representative (CPR) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of patient relations. The CPR credential is awarded by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ).

The CPR certification program requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas such as customer service, communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, and medical terminology. To earn the credential, applicants must pass an exam that covers these topics. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CPR certification program, applicants must have at least one year of experience working in a healthcare setting or related field. Applicants must also submit a completed application form and fee payment before taking the exam.

The cost of the CPR certification program varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of NAHQ. For members, the cost is $250 and for non-members it is $400.

Once you have successfully passed the exam and met all other requirements, you will receive your official Certified Patient Representative certificate from NAHQ within four weeks of passing the exam.

7. Certified Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC)

Certified Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC) is a certification program offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The CHUC credential is designed to recognize individuals who possess knowledge and skills in the areas of medical office management, patient care coordination, and health information technology.

The CHUC program consists of an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, medical office procedures, patient communication, insurance processing, and more. Once the course is completed, students must pass a proctored exam to earn their certification.

The cost for the CHUC program varies depending on the provider. On average, it costs around $400-$500 for the entire program. It typically takes about three months to complete the program and obtain your certification. To get started with the program, you can contact AAMA or find an approved provider online.

8. Certified Practice Manager (CPM)

Certified Practice Manager (CPM) is a professional certification offered by the National Association of Medical Office Management (NAMOM). The CPM credential is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of practice managers in the medical field.

To become certified, applicants must have at least three years of experience in medical office management or related fields, such as health care administration or business management. They must also pass an exam administered by NAMOM that covers topics such as financial management, human resources management, compliance and risk management, operations management, and leadership.

The exam typically takes about four hours to complete and costs $400 for members of NAMOM and $450 for non-members. Once certified, CPMs must renew their certification every two years by completing at least 24 hours of continuing education credits in areas related to medical office management.

9. American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Exam for Patient Care Coordinators (AAMA-CPCCE)

The American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Exam for Patient Care Coordinators (AAMA-CPCCE) is an exam that tests the knowledge and skills of medical assistants who are responsible for coordinating patient care. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as patient assessment, documentation, communication, and health care management. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the AAMA-CPCCE, applicants must have completed a medical assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Applicants must also submit proof of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS).

The cost to take the AAMA-CPCCE is $200. This fee includes a study guide and practice test. After passing the exam, applicants will receive a certificate from the American Association of Medical Assistants that verifies their successful completion of the exam.

10. National Healthcareer Association Patient Care Technician Certification Exam (NHA-PCTE).

The National Healthcareer Association Patient Care Technician Certification Exam (NHA-PCTE) is a comprehensive exam that tests the knowledge and skills of patient care technicians. The exam covers topics such as medical terminology, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, patient assessment, vital signs, and more. It is designed to ensure that patient care technicians have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality care in a variety of healthcare settings.

The NHA-PCTE exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam is $125 for members of the National Healthcareer Association and $150 for non-members. To take the exam, you must register with NHA by completing an online application form. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule your exam date and time.

In order to pass the NHA-PCTE exam, you must score at least 70% on all sections of the exam. After passing the exam, you will receive a certification card from NHA that indicates your successful completion of the test. This certification can be used to demonstrate your qualifications in various healthcare settings and can help you advance your career in patient care technology.

Do You Really Need a Patient Coordinator Certificate?

The answer to this question will depend on a few factors, including your current job prospects and the type of career you are looking for. If you are interested in becoming a patient coordinator, then a certificate may be beneficial. A patient coordinator certificate can provide you with the skills necessary to effectively manage patient care, coordinate medical services and resources, and ensure compliance with regulations. Additionally, having a certification can help to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the profession, which may give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs.

On the other hand, if you already have experience as a patient coordinator or have taken courses related to the field, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary. It is important to consider your current level of knowledge and experience before deciding whether or not it is worth investing in a certification program.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a patient coordinator certificate will depend on your individual circumstances. It is important to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of obtaining a certification before making any decisions about furthering your education.

Related: Patient Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Patient Coordinator Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a patient coordinator?

Answer: To become a patient coordinator, you will typically need at least a high school diploma or GED, plus some experience working in the healthcare field. Depending on your employer's requirements, you may also need to be certified as a patient coordinator.

2. How long does it take to get certified as a patient coordinator?

Answer: The length of time it takes to get certified as a patient coordinator depends on the certification program you choose. Most programs require that you complete some form of classroom-based training and an online examination. The total amount of time required can range from several weeks to several months.

3. Where can I find patient coordinator certification programs?

Answer: Patient coordinator certification programs are offered by various organizations, including the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You can find more information about these organizations and their respective certification programs online.

4. Are there any prerequisites for taking the patient coordinator certification exam?

Answer: Yes, most organizations offering patient coordinator certification exams require that applicants meet certain prerequisites before they are eligible to take the exam. These may include completing an approved course of study or having at least one year of relevant work experience in the healthcare field. Be sure to check with your chosen organization for specific requirements before registering for an exam.

5. Is there any continuing education required after becoming certified as a patient coordinator?

Answer: Yes, many organizations require that certified patient coordinators complete continuing education courses in order to maintain their certifications and stay up-to-date on industry developments and best practices.