Top 11 Patient Liaison Certifications

Certifications are important for a patient liaison in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise in customer service, communication, and healthcare. Certifications provide employers with assurance that a potential candidate is capable of carrying out their duties efficiently and effectively. Additionally, certifications give patient liaisons an edge over other applicants who may not have the same qualifications. Certifications also demonstrate to employers that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date on current industry trends and best practices. Finally, certifications can open up opportunities for career advancement as many organizations prefer to hire candidates who have proven themselves by obtaining certification.

This article reviews the top certifications for Patient Liaisons and explains how they can help to further a patient liaison's career.

What are Patient Liaison Certifications?

Patient liaison certification is a professional credential awarded to individuals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and experience in the field of patient advocacy. The certification is offered by the National Association of Patient Advocates (NAPA). It is designed to recognize those professionals who have achieved expertise in patient advocacy and are committed to upholding high standards of ethical practice.

Patient liaisons are responsible for providing support and assistance to patients and their families, advocating on their behalf, and helping them navigate complex healthcare systems. They act as an intermediary between patients, family members, physicians, insurance providers, and other medical professionals. A patient liaison’s goal is to ensure that every patient receives appropriate care and treatment based on their individual needs.

Having a patient liaison certification provides a mark of distinction that can help individuals stand out from other candidates when seeking job opportunities. It also demonstrates a commitment to advancing one’s knowledge and skills in the field of patient advocacy. With this certification, individuals can show potential employers that they are dedicated to providing quality care for patients and their families while adhering to best practices in the industry. Furthermore, it can open up new career opportunities within healthcare organizations or with private companies that specialize in patient advocacy services.

Pro Tip: When pursuing patient liaison certification, make sure to look into the specific requirements of the program you are interested in. Many programs require a certain amount of experience working in the field, or may have additional prerequisites such as a college degree. Taking the time to research and understand what is required will save you time and money when it comes to completing the certification process.

Related: What does a Patient Liaison do?

Top 11 Patient Liaison Certifications

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

1. Certified Patient Liaison (CPL)

Certified Patient Liaison (CPL) is a certification program designed to train individuals in the skills necessary to work with patients and their families in a healthcare setting. The CPL program is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC). It takes approximately four months to complete the CPL program. To get certified, you must complete an online application, pass an exam, and submit proof of continuing education credits. The cost for the CPL certification program varies depending on your state of residence, but typically ranges from $500-$800.

2. Certified Patient Advocate (CPA)

Certified Patient Advocate (CPA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient advocacy services. A CPA is an advocate for patients, providing assistance in navigating the healthcare system, advocating for their rights, and helping them make informed decisions about their care.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the requirements for certification. The requirements include completing a minimum of 60 hours of approved education and training, passing a comprehensive exam, and meeting additional criteria as outlined by the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC).

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the program chosen. Most programs range from $1,500-$2,500 USD. This cost includes tuition fees, textbooks, and other materials required for certification.

In addition to the educational requirements, candidates must also demonstrate experience in patient advocacy or healthcare-related work. This can be done through volunteer work or paid employment within the field. Candidates must also submit letters of reference from employers or colleagues attesting to their experience and qualifications as a patient advocate.

3. Certified Professional in Patient Advocacy (CPPA)

Certified Professional in Patient Advocacy (CPPA) is a credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide patient advocacy services. This certification is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC).

The CPPA certification requires applicants to demonstrate their understanding of healthcare systems, patient rights, and ethical considerations related to patient advocacy. The certification also requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate with patients and healthcare providers.

In order to obtain the CPPA certification, applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with proof of completion of a NAHAC-approved training program or equivalent experience. The application process also includes an online assessment and a final review by the NAHAC Certification Board.

The cost for obtaining the CPPA certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of NAHAC. For non-members, the cost is $450; for members, the cost is $350. It typically takes 4-6 weeks for applications to be processed and approved.

4. Certified Medical Liaison (CML)

Certified Medical Liaison (CML) is a professional certification that recognizes the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals who specialize in medical liaison roles. CMLs are responsible for bridging the gap between healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations involved in patient care. They provide support to healthcare providers by facilitating communication between them and their patients, as well as providing education about medications and treatments.

It typically takes two years to become certified as a CML. The first step is to complete an accredited program from an accredited institution such as a college or university. After completing the program, you must then take and pass the Certified Medical Liaison Exam administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Once you pass the exam, you will receive your CML certification.

The cost of becoming certified as a CML varies depending on the institution offering the program and any additional fees associated with taking the NBME exam. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 to become certified as a CML.

To get started with becoming certified as a CML, research accredited programs offered by colleges or universities in your area that offer this certification. Make sure to read up on any additional fees associated with taking the NBME exam before signing up for any courses or programs. Once you have completed all of your coursework and passed your exam, you will be officially certified as a CML!

5. Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). The CHAM certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in healthcare access management and patient registration.

The CHAM program consists of three components: an online application, a written exam, and a practical experience requirement. The online application requires applicants to provide information about their educational background, work experience, and professional development activities. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from healthcare professionals who can attest to their knowledge and abilities.

The written exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as patient registration processes, customer service techniques, financial management principles, and HIPAA regulations. The exam must be taken at an approved testing center and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The practical experience requirement requires applicants to have at least two years of full-time employment in a healthcare setting or equivalent part-time experience within the past five years. This requirement can be fulfilled through volunteer work or internships as long as they are related to healthcare access management.

The cost for the CHAM certification program is $400 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. It typically takes up to six weeks for applicants to receive their results after taking the written exam.

6. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the skills and knowledge necessary for managing a medical office. The CMOM program is administered by the National Association of Medical Office Management (NAMOM).

The program consists of three parts: an online course, a written exam, and a practical exam. The online course covers topics such as patient relations, medical coding, billing, insurance claims processing, and practice management. It takes approximately 8-12 weeks to complete the online course.

To get certified as a CMOM, you must first complete the online course and pass the written exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have passed the written exam, you can then register for the practical exam which consists of role-playing scenarios that test your ability to apply what you have learned in the online course in real-world situations.

The cost to become certified as a CMOM varies depending on whether or not you are an NAMOM member. Non-members pay $495 for both exams while members pay $395 for both exams.

7. Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE)

Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) is a certification program offered by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of medical practice executives.

To become certified as a CMPE, an individual must have at least five years of experience in medical practice management and complete a series of courses and exams. The courses cover topics such as financial management, human resources management, operations management, information systems, marketing and strategic planning. The exams are administered by ACMPE and assess the candidate’s knowledge in each area.

The process typically takes six to nine months to complete. There is no set cost for the certification program; however, it usually costs around $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the number of courses taken and exams taken.

8. Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a professional certification program for healthcare quality and safety professionals. It is offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). The CPHQ certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in healthcare quality and safety.

To become certified, individuals must pass an exam consisting of 175 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as healthcare quality management, patient safety, risk management, performance improvement, data analysis and reporting, accreditation and regulatory compliance, leadership and communication. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the CPHQ exam, applicants must meet certain educational requirements. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university; hold a current license or certification in a related field; have at least three years of full-time experience in healthcare quality; or have completed an approved NAHQ training program.

The cost of taking the CPHQ exam varies depending on whether you are a member of NAHQ or not. For non-members, the cost is $395 USD; for members it is $295 USD. In addition to the exam fee, there may also be additional fees associated with registering for the exam and obtaining study materials.

9. Certified Professional Coder-Patient Advocate (CPC-PA)

Certified Professional Coder-Patient Advocate (CPC-PA) is a certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize coders who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient advocacy services in addition to coding and billing.

The CPC-PA certification requires that applicants have at least two years of coding experience, pass an exam, and complete a background check. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical coding guidelines, and patient advocacy.

The cost of the CPC-PA certification varies depending on the applicant's membership status with AAPC. For nonmembers, it costs $399 for the exam fee plus $100 for the background check. For members of AAPC, it costs $299 for the exam fee plus $100 for the background check.

It typically takes four to six weeks to receive results from the CPC-PA exam. Once an applicant has passed the exam and completed their background check they will be eligible to use their CPC-PA credentials.

10. Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)

Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and competency in the field of healthcare compliance. The CHC certification is offered by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting ethical practices and standards for healthcare organizations.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements, as well as pass an examination administered by HCCA. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience in healthcare compliance or a related field, such as health law, risk management or internal auditing. Applicants must also possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

The CHC exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as legal and regulatory requirements, organizational structure and governance, risk management and mitigation strategies, monitoring and auditing processes, data privacy and security measures, enforcement actions, ethics and compliance programs. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost for taking the CHC exam is $695 for HCCA members or $795 for non-members. Additionally, there is an annual renewal fee of $175 for HCCA members or $225 for non-members. The certification is valid for three years from the date it was earned before needing to be renewed.

11. Certified Professional in Health Information Technology (CPHIT).

Certified Professional in Health Information Technology (CPHIT) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the health information technology field. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in managing, analyzing, and protecting patient data.

The CPHIT certification requires applicants to pass an exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as health information systems, data analysis, privacy and security, coding and reimbursement, and legal and ethical issues. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CPHIT certification, applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience working with health information technology or a related field. Applicants must also submit documentation verifying their experience as well as their education history.

The cost for the CPHIT certification exam varies depending on whether you are an AHIMA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $300; for non-members it is $400. After passing the exam, there is an annual maintenance fee of $50 for members and $100 for non-members.

In total, it typically takes around six months from start to finish to become certified in CPHIT – this includes studying for the exam as well as submitting all required paperwork and fees.

Do You Really Need a Patient Liaison Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and career aspirations. If a person is interested in becoming a patient liaison, then it is likely that obtaining a certificate or degree in the field would be beneficial. A patient liaison certificate can provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate with patients, families, healthcare staff, and other stakeholders. It can also help individuals gain an understanding of medical terminology, regulations and standards related to patient care, and how to develop effective relationships with patients and their families.

In addition to providing a foundation of knowledge for those interested in pursuing a career as a patient liaison, having a certificate or degree may also be advantageous when seeking employment in the field. Employers may view applicants more favorably if they have completed formal training in the field and are knowledgeable about industry regulations and standards. Furthermore, many employers require certification or licensure for certain positions within healthcare settings. Having such credentials may increase an applicant's chances of being hired for various roles within the healthcare sector.

Ultimately, whether or not an individual needs a patient liaison certificate will depend on their specific goals and aspirations within the field. While obtaining formal training may provide potential benefits when applying for jobs or advancing one's career, it is important to consider all options carefully before making any decisions regarding certifications or degrees.

Related: Patient Liaison Resume Examples

FAQs About Patient Liaison Certifications

1. What is a Patient Liaison Certification?

A Patient Liaison Certification is a certification program designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively interact with patients, families, and other healthcare providers. The certification provides education on communication techniques, patient rights and responsibilities, problem solving strategies, and conflict resolution.

2. Who should pursue a Patient Liaison Certification?

The certification is ideally suited for healthcare professionals who have direct contact with patients such as nurses, social workers, medical assistants, front desk staff, patient advocates, or any other healthcare professional who interacts with patients on a daily basis.

3. What are the requirements for becoming certified?

In order to become certified as a Patient Liaison, individuals must complete an approved training program and pass an examination administered by an accredited certifying organization. Training programs vary in length depending on the certifying organization but typically include topics such as communication techniques, patient rights and responsibilities, problem solving strategies, and conflict resolution.

4. How long does it take to complete the certification process?

The amount of time needed to complete the certification process will depend on the certifying organization but typically takes between six months to one year from start to finish depending on individual progress and dedication.

5. Is there continuing education associated with maintaining a Patient Liaison Certification?

Yes - most certifying organizations require that individuals maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every few years in order to stay up-to-date on changes in the field of patient liaison services.