Top 10 Patient Service Specialist Certifications

Certifications are an important way for Patient Service Specialists to demonstrate their knowledge and ability in the job market. Certifications help employers to identify qualified candidates and also provide a way for specialists to stand out from other applicants. A certification can prove that an individual has the necessary skills and competencies required to succeed in a particular role. Additionally, certifications can help employers assess a candidate’s knowledge base before hiring them, reducing the risk of making a wrong decision. Furthermore, certifications can lead to higher salaries as they show employers that an individual is committed to their career and is willing to invest time and resources into their professional development. Finally, certifications may open up new opportunities for advancement or specialization within the field of patient service specialist.

This article reviews the top certifications for Patient Service Specialists and explains how they can enhance career prospects, providing valuable information for those interested in this field.

What are Patient Service Specialist Certifications?

Patient Service Specialist Certification is a professional credential designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals who work in direct contact with patients. The certification program focuses on the core competencies essential to providing outstanding customer service, patient care, and overall satisfaction. This includes topics such as communication and interpersonal skills, patient education and advocacy, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving techniques, customer service principles, health insurance terminology and processes, practice management, medical office protocols and procedures, and more.

By becoming certified as a Patient Service Specialist (PSS), healthcare professionals are able to demonstrate their commitment to quality care and gain recognition for their expertise. It also provides a way for employers to easily identify individuals with the necessary qualifications for providing excellent patient services. Additionally, this certification can help those interested in advancing their careers by increasing job opportunities within the field. Finally, it can also provide valuable networking connections that lead to new career paths or additional training opportunities.

Pro Tip: Before signing up for a patient service specialist certification program, make sure to research the specific requirements and qualifications of the program. Different certifications may have different prerequisites, so it is important to ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria before enrolling in a program.

Related: What does a Patient Service Specialist do?

Top 10 Patient Service Specialist Certifications

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

1. Certified Patient Service Professional (CPSP)

Certified Patient Service Professional (CPSP) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). The CPSP certification is designed to recognize healthcare access professionals who demonstrate excellence in providing patient services. It is the only national certification specifically designed for healthcare access professionals.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. Eligibility requirements include having a minimum of two years of full-time experience in a healthcare access role and completing at least 30 hours of continuing education related to healthcare access management within the past three years.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as patient registration, insurance verification, financial counseling, customer service, and compliance with regulatory standards.

The cost for the CPSP certification varies depending on whether you are a NAHAM member or non-member. For members, the cost is $250 for the application fee and $350 for the exam fee; for non-members, it is $450 for both fees combined.

Once you have passed the exam, your CPSP certification will be valid for three years before you need to renew it. Renewal requires completion of 30 additional hours of continuing education related to healthcare access management within those three years and payment of a renewal fee ($150 for NAHAM members; $250 for non-members).

2. Certified Medical Customer Service Representative (CMCSR)

A Certified Medical Customer Service Representative (CMCSR) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in providing customer service to patients and healthcare providers. The certification is designed to ensure that individuals have the necessary skills to effectively handle patient inquiries, provide accurate information, and handle billing issues.

To become certified as a CMCSR, individuals must complete a comprehensive training program that covers topics such as medical terminology, customer service techniques, HIPAA regulations, and other relevant topics. After completing the training program, applicants must pass an exam administered by the National Association of Medical Customer Service Representatives (NAMCSR). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering various aspects of medical customer service.

The cost of becoming certified as a CMCSR varies depending on the organization offering the certification. Generally speaking, the cost of obtaining a CMCSR certification ranges from $100-$500 USD. Additionally, some organizations may require additional fees for renewing or maintaining their certification status.

Overall, it typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete all requirements for obtaining a CMCSR certification. However, this time frame can vary depending on an individual’s experience level and how quickly they are able to complete the required coursework and exams.

3. Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) is a professional certification program that provides healthcare access professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively manage patient access services. This certification is offered through the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).

The CHAM certification requires applicants to have at least one year of experience in healthcare access management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. The cost of the exam is $295 for NAHAM members and $395 for non-members.

To obtain the CHAM certification, applicants must first submit an application online, which includes a fee and proof of experience in healthcare access management. Once approved, applicants will receive their exam eligibility letter along with instructions on how to register for the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CHAM certificate and may use the “CHAM” credential after their name.

4. Certified Patient Advocate (CPA)

A Certified Patient Advocate (CPA) is a professional who works to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. They act as an advocate for their clients, providing support and guidance throughout their healthcare journey. CPAs work with healthcare providers to ensure that their clients receive the highest quality of care, while also advocating for the patient’s rights and interests.

In order to become a CPA, individuals must complete an accredited certification program. These programs typically require at least 200 hours of coursework and can take up to two years to complete. The curriculum includes topics such as medical terminology, insurance coverage, legal issues, and patient advocacy principles.

To get certified as a CPA, individuals must pass an exam administered by the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC). This exam covers all aspects of patient advocacy and requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge in areas such as communication skills, problem solving abilities, ethical decision making processes, and understanding of healthcare systems.

The cost of becoming a CPA varies depending on the program chosen. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,500 - $3,000 USD for tuition fees alone. Additional costs may include textbooks or other materials needed for the program.

5. Certified Medical Office Administrator (CMOA)

Certified Medical Office Administrator (CMOA) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the administrative operations of a medical office. The certification is awarded by the American Association of Medical Office Professionals (AAMOP).

To be eligible for the CMOA certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in medical office administration and must pass an examination administered by AAMOP. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient records, insurance billing, coding and reimbursement, healthcare compliance, and other administrative functions.

The cost to take the CMOA exam is $250 for members of AAMOP and $350 for non-members. The exam can be taken online or at designated test centers. It typically takes about four hours to complete the exam. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your CMOA certification within 4-6 weeks.

6. Certified Health Care Quality Specialist (CHCQS)

Certified Health Care Quality Specialist (CHCQS) is a certification program offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in healthcare quality and performance improvement. The CHCQS credential is awarded to those who have met the required criteria, including completion of an approved training program, successful passage of the NAHQ certification exam, and a minimum of two years of experience in healthcare quality or performance improvement.

The CHCQS credential typically takes around six months to complete. To become certified, applicants must first complete an approved training program, which can be done online or through a traditional classroom setting. After completing the training program, applicants must pass the NAHQ certification exam with a score of at least 70%. Once they have passed the exam, they are eligible to apply for their CHCQS credential.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on how you choose to pursue your certification. If you choose to take an online course, it typically costs between $500 and $1,000. If you decide to take a traditional classroom course, it will cost more but may include additional benefits such as mentorship and networking opportunities.

In addition to the cost of taking the training program and passing the exam, there is also an annual fee associated with maintaining your CHCQS certification status. This fee ranges from $50-$100 per year depending on your membership level with NAHQ.

7. Certified Patient Experience Professional (CPXP)

Certified Patient Experience Professional (CPXP) is a certification program designed to recognize healthcare professionals who have demonstrated expertise in improving the patient experience. The CPXP credential is offered by the Patient Experience Institute, an international organization dedicated to advancing the science and practice of patient experience.

The CPXP certification program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Master. To become certified at each level, applicants must demonstrate knowledge and skills related to patient experience through an online assessment and a portfolio review. The assessment tests for knowledge in areas such as understanding customer service principles, developing effective communication strategies, and leading improvement initiatives. The portfolio review evaluates applicants’ ability to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete all three levels of the CPXP certification program. During this time, applicants should expect to spend several hours studying for the assessments and completing their portfolios.

To get started on the CPXP certification program, applicants must first register with the Patient Experience Institute and pay a registration fee of $195 USD. After registering, they will be able to access study materials and take practice assessments in preparation for the official exams. Once they have completed all three levels of the program, they will receive their CPXP credential from the institute.

The total cost of obtaining a CPXP credential varies depending on how long it takes an individual to complete all three levels of the program; however, it usually ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD.

8. Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR)

Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated competency in the field of revenue cycle management. The Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) certification is offered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM).

The CRCR certification program consists of a series of courses and exams that must be completed in order to become certified. The courses cover topics such as billing, coding, reimbursement, patient access, accounts receivable, collections, and other related topics. Upon completion of the coursework and exams, candidates will receive their CRCR certification.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the program and become certified. Candidates must first register for the program with AAHAM and pay an application fee. After registration, candidates must then complete all required coursework and exams within 6-12 months.

The cost for the CRCR certification program varies depending on whether you are an AAHAM member or not. For non-members, the cost is $1,495 plus any applicable taxes; for members it is $1,295 plus any applicable taxes.

9. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been trained and certified to use electronic health records (EHRs) in healthcare settings. The certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To become a CEHRS, individuals must first complete an NHA-approved training program. This program typically takes about six months to complete, depending on the program chosen. After completing the training program, applicants must pass an exam administered by NHA to earn their certification.

The cost of becoming a CEHRS varies depending on the program chosen and any additional materials needed for study. Generally, the cost ranges from $500-$1,000.

Once certified, CEHRS professionals are qualified to work with EHR systems in healthcare settings and use them to document patient care and manage patient information. They may also be responsible for maintaining EHRs according to legal and regulatory standards, as well as helping physicians with data entry tasks.

10. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in medical office administration. The CMAA certification validates an individual's ability to perform administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, filing medical records, managing patient accounts, and other administrative duties.

The CMAA certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, insurance billing procedures, privacy regulations, and customer service. The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

To become certified as a CMAA, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least one year of experience in a medical office setting or completing an approved training program in medical office administration. Applicants must also submit an application form along with the required fee of $125.

Once the application is accepted, applicants will receive a registration packet with instructions on how to schedule their exam date and time. After successfully passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CMAA certificate in the mail within four to six weeks.

The cost of becoming certified as a CMAA is approximately $125 for the application fee plus any additional costs associated with preparing for and taking the exam.

Do You Really Need a Patient Service Specialist Certificate?

No, you do not necessarily need a Patient Service Specialist Certificate in order to work as a patient service specialist. While having the certificate may make you more competitive for certain jobs, employers will also consider your experience and qualifications when making hiring decisions.

In many cases, employers are looking for candidates with strong customer service skills and knowledge of medical office policies and procedures. Employers may also look for individuals who have some sort of formal education in healthcare or related fields. If you have the necessary experience and qualifications, then you may be able to find a job without obtaining a Patient Service Specialist Certificate.

However, if you are serious about pursuing a career as a patient service specialist, then obtaining the certificate can certainly help your chances of getting hired. The certificate is designed to give you an edge over other applicants by demonstrating that you have the required knowledge and skills to excel in this role. It can also help build your confidence in performing your duties as it provides proof that you’ve completed specialized training specifically tailored to this field.

Ultimately, whether or not you should pursue a Patient Service Specialist Certificate is up to you. If you feel like it would be beneficial for your career goals then it is certainly worth considering; however, if not then there are still plenty of other ways to demonstrate your qualifications for this role.

Related: Patient Service Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Patient Service Specialist Certifications

1. What is the Patient Service Specialist Certification?

Answer: The Patient Service Specialist Certification is a nationally recognized credential for healthcare professionals who provide exceptional customer service and patient care. It demonstrates competency in patient relations, communication, medical terminology, and other skills required to excel in a healthcare environment.

2. What topics are covered in the Patient Service Specialist Certification?

Answer: The Patient Service Specialist Certification covers topics such as medical terminology, HIPAA regulations, customer service, patient rights and responsibilities, problem solving and conflict resolution, communication techniques, and more.

3. How do I become certified as a Patient Service Specialist?

Answer: To become certified as a Patient Service Specialist you must successfully complete an approved training program or have at least one year of experience working in a healthcare setting. After completing your training or gaining experience you can apply to take the certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

4. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The process of becoming certified usually takes around 3-6 months depending on your availability for courses and exams.

5. What are the benefits of having a Patient Service Specialist Certification?

Answer: Having a Patient Service Specialist Certification can give you an edge when applying for jobs in the healthcare industry because it demonstrates your commitment to providing excellent customer service and patient care. It also allows you to expand your knowledge base and stay up-to-date with current best practices in the field of healthcare customer service.