Top 10 Surgery Scheduler Certifications
Updated 16 min read
Certifications are important for a surgery scheduler in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency in their field. Certification also shows employers that the individual has taken the time to invest in their own development and gain additional knowledge, which can be beneficial for both the employer and employee. In addition, certifications can help distinguish one candidate from another when applying for a job or promotion, as it shows that they have gone above and beyond what is expected of them. Finally, having certification can give a surgery scheduler an advantage over other candidates who do not have certification when interviewing for positions.
This article reviews some of the top certifications for Surgery Schedulers, and explains how they can enhance a scheduler's career and professional development.
What are Surgery Scheduler Certifications?
Surgery scheduler certification is a specialized credential that acknowledges an individual's expertise in the field of surgical scheduling. The certification program provides specific training and knowledge to individuals who work as surgery schedulers, helping to ensure they are knowledgeable about the industry’s best practices and procedures. This certification can help surgery schedulers become more efficient and effective, while also helping them stay up-to-date with the latest developments within their profession.
The certification helps to demonstrate an individual's commitment to their role and provides employers with peace of mind that their surgery schedulers have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care to patients. With specialized training, certified surgery schedulers can better manage the scheduling process for complex surgeries, help reduce wait times for patients, and maintain accurate records for all operations. Additionally, certified professionals may develop a greater understanding of medical terminology and coding systems which can help them better communicate with physicians and other healthcare staff when scheduling appointments. Ultimately, having a certified surgery scheduler on staff can result in improved patient satisfaction rates due to timely access to care.
Pro Tip: Make sure to thoroughly research the different certification options available for surgery schedulers to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Additionally, make sure to stay up-to-date on any changes or updates related to certification requirements so that you can remain compliant with standards and regulations.
Related: What does a Surgery Scheduler do?
Top 10 Surgery Scheduler Certifications
Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Surgery Schedulers today.
1. Certified Surgery Scheduling Professional (CSSP)
Certified Surgery Scheduling Professional (CSSP) is a certification program designed to recognize and promote the expertise of surgery schedulers. It is offered by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).
The CSSP certification requires candidates to complete an online course, pass an exam, and demonstrate their knowledge of scheduling principles and practices. The course takes approximately 16 hours to complete, and the exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.
To get certified as a CSSP, you must first register with AORN and pay the associated fee. The current fee for registration is $275 USD. After completing the course and passing the exam, you will be awarded your CSSP certificate.
2. Certified Medical Office Scheduler (CMOS)
Certified Medical Office Scheduler (CMOS) is a certification program designed to help medical office schedulers develop and demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the scheduling of patient appointments. The CMOS certification program was developed by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
The CMOS certification requires applicants to pass an online exam that tests their knowledge of medical office scheduling procedures and practices. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as appointment scheduling, patient access, insurance verification, billing processes, and other related topics. Applicants must also have at least one year of experience in a medical office setting.
The CMOS exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken at any AAPC testing center or online. The cost for the exam is $199 for members of AAPC or $299 for non-members.
Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their Certified Medical Office Scheduler certificate from AAPC. This certificate is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years by taking an updated version of the CMOS exam.
3. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program designed for medical office managers and other healthcare professionals who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a medical office. The certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
The CMOM certification requires candidates to have at least two years of experience in a medical office setting, as well as a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates must also pass an exam which covers topics such as patient relations, billing and coding procedures, insurance regulations, HIPAA compliance, and more.
The exam can be taken online or in person at an AAPC testing center. It takes approximately three hours to complete the exam, and it costs $299 USD. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their CMOM certification within 8-10 weeks.
The cost of the CMOM certification includes the exam fee and a one-time application fee of $50 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with books or study materials that are used to prepare for the exam.
4. Certified Ambulatory Care Coordinator (CACC)
A Certified Ambulatory Care Coordinator (CACC) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals who coordinate care for patients in ambulatory settings. The CACC credential is administered by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and is awarded to individuals who demonstrate expertise in ambulatory care coordination.
The CACC exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. In order to be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience in an ambulatory setting, as well as a current nursing license or other healthcare related degree.
To get the CACC credential, applicants must first register with the NCCA website and pay the $395 fee. Once registered, applicants can then download study materials from the website and begin studying for the exam. After studying, applicants can schedule their exams at any one of the testing centers located throughout the United States. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their CACC certificates within four weeks.
The cost to obtain a CACC credential is $395 which covers registration fees and study materials.
5. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
A Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) is a healthcare professional who works in the operating room and assists surgeons, nurses, and other medical personnel during surgical procedures. They are responsible for preparing the operating room, sterilizing instruments, setting up equipment, and passing instruments to surgeons during surgery.
It typically takes two years of formal education and training to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). This includes completing an accredited program from an accredited college or university that offers a degree in surgical technology. After graduating from an accredited program, candidates must pass the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam to become certified.
To get certified as a CST, individuals must first complete an accredited program from an accredited college or university that offers a degree in surgical technology. After graduating from this program, they must then take and pass the NBSTSA exam. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where it is taken; however, most exams cost around $200-$300.
Once certified as a CST, individuals must maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses every two years. The cost of these courses varies depending on what type of course is taken; however, most courses range from $50-$100 per course.
6. American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certification in Surgery Scheduling
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certification in Surgery Scheduling is a certification program designed to equip medical coders with the skills and knowledge needed to accurately schedule surgeries. This certification is ideal for individuals who want to specialize in surgery scheduling, as it focuses on the specific coding requirements associated with this specialty.
It typically takes between six and twelve months to complete the AAPC Certification in Surgery Scheduling. The program consists of three components: an online course, an exam, and continuing education credits. The online course covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding principles, and reimbursement processes. Once the course has been completed, students must pass a comprehensive exam to receive their certification. Finally, continuing education credits are required every two years in order to maintain certification status.
To get certified by AAPC in Surgery Scheduling, individuals must first become a member of AAPC by paying an annual fee of $99. After becoming a member, individuals will need to purchase the online course for $299 and then register for the exam at a cost of $250.
In total, it costs approximately $648 to obtain AAPC Certification in Surgery Scheduling.
7. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification in Surgery Scheduling
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification in Surgery Scheduling is a nationally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of surgery scheduling. This certification is designed to validate an individual’s ability to accurately schedule surgeries and other medical procedures, ensuring that patients receive timely care.
It typically takes around six months to complete the requirements for this certification. The process begins with completing a course on surgery scheduling from AHIMA or an accredited college or university. After completing the course, individuals must pass a written exam with a score of at least 75%. Once the exam has been passed, individuals must submit an application to AHIMA for review and approval.
The cost of obtaining the AHIMA Certification in Surgery Scheduling varies depending on the institution offering the course and the type of exam taken. Generally, it can range from $500-$1,000 USD for both the course and exam fees combined.
Once all requirements have been met, individuals will be awarded their AHIMA Certification in Surgery Scheduling which is valid for two years from date of issue. After two years, individuals must renew their certification by submitting proof of continuing education credits earned during that time period.
8. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certification in Surgery Scheduling
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers a certification in Surgery Scheduling to help healthcare professionals advance their careers. This certification is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of individuals who are responsible for scheduling surgeries and related activities.
To obtain this certification, applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience in surgery scheduling or related activities, such as pre-operative/post-operative care coordination, patient education, or medical records management. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as scheduling procedures, managing patient information, and understanding the legal and ethical considerations involved in surgery scheduling.
It typically takes about six months to complete the certification process. During this time, applicants must complete all the required coursework and pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Once they have done so, they will be awarded their NHA Certification in Surgery Scheduling.
The cost for taking the exam varies depending on the location of the testing center but generally ranges from $150-$200 USD.
9. American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Certification in Surgery Scheduling
The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Certification in Surgery Scheduling is a certification program designed to recognize healthcare professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage surgery scheduling operations. The certification provides evidence of an individual’s professional competence and commitment to the highest standards of practice.
To obtain ACHE Certification in Surgery Scheduling, individuals must meet the following criteria: hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university; have at least three years of full-time experience in surgery scheduling; and pass an examination administered by ACHE. The examination consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as patient scheduling, resource management, and communication with surgeons and other healthcare providers.
It typically takes approximately six months to complete the certification process. During this time, individuals must complete all required coursework, submit their application materials, and take the examination. Once they have successfully completed all requirements, they will receive their ACHE Certification in Surgery Scheduling.
The cost for obtaining ACHE Certification in Surgery Scheduling varies depending on the individual’s circumstances. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 for members of ACHE and $750 for non-members.
10. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Certification in Surgery Scheduling
The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Certification in Surgery Scheduling is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform surgery scheduling tasks. This certification is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
To qualify for RHIT Certification in Surgery Scheduling, applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience in surgery scheduling or related activities. In addition, applicants must pass an exam administered by AHIMA that covers topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, data analysis, and other aspects of surgery scheduling.
It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for RHIT Certification in Surgery Scheduling. During this time, applicants must complete a series of courses and exams that cover topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, data analysis, and other aspects of surgery scheduling.
To get RHIT Certification in Surgery Scheduling, applicants must first register with AHIMA and pay the required fees. They then need to complete all of the required courses and exams within six months. Upon successful completion of these requirements, applicants will receive their RHIT Certification in Surgery Scheduling from AHIMA.
The cost for RHIT Certification in Surgery Scheduling varies depending on the number of courses taken and exams completed. The total cost can range from $500-$1,000 USD depending on individual circumstances.
Do You Really Need a Surgery Scheduler Certificate?
The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and goals. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a surgery scheduler, then having a certificate in the field may be beneficial. A certificate can demonstrate to employers that you have specialized knowledge and skills related to the job. It may also show that you have taken the time to gain an understanding of the industry, which could help you stand out from other applicants.
On the other hand, if you are already employed as a surgery scheduler and just want to brush up on your knowledge or stay current with industry trends, then attending classes and earning a certificate may not be necessary. You might instead choose to read articles or books about scheduling surgeries or take online courses that offer continuing education credits.
Ultimately, it is important to consider your own goals when deciding whether or not to pursue a surgery scheduler certificate. With the right training and credentials, you can become even more qualified for the job and stand out from other candidates in the hiring process.
Related: Surgery Scheduler Resume Examples
FAQs About Surgery Scheduler Certifications
1. What is a Surgery Scheduler Certification?
Answer: A Surgery Scheduler Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of surgery scheduling. It is designed to certify individuals who have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to effectively manage the scheduling of surgical procedures.
2. What are the benefits of having a Surgery Scheduler Certification?
Answer: Having a Surgery Scheduler Certification can help demonstrate expertise in the field, provide career advancement opportunities, and increase job security. Additionally, it can help build credibility with employers and clients, as well as provide a basis for professional development.
3. How do I obtain a Surgery Scheduler Certification?
Answer: To obtain a Surgery Scheduler Certification, you must first pass an exam administered by either the American College of Surgeons or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from either organization.
4. How long does it take to become certified?
Answer: The time it takes to become certified varies depending on your level of knowledge and experience with surgery scheduling. However, most people are able to complete their certification within one year or less by studying for and taking the required exams.
5. Are there continuing education requirements for maintaining my certification?
Answer: Yes, both organizations require continuing education credits in order to maintain your certification status. Depending on which organization you are certified through, you may be required to complete specific continuing education courses or attend conferences in order to stay up-to-date on best practices in surgery scheduling and coding standards.