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Having the right qualifications is the easiest way to show others that you have the required skills and knowledge to add value to their lives and be of service. This fact stands especially true for the healthcare sector, so you must be certified before you are allowed to join the ranks of health professionals.
You can get certified before joining the industry or upskill while working on setting yourself apart and showing that you are ready for more responsibility. A certification will distinguish you from your peers and enhance your expertise in any subject matter. The healthcare industry has many certificates to explore, but don’t let that overwhelm you.
Here are some valuable certificates worth looking into:
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
As an EMT, you will assess, investigate, and respond to various cases of emergencies outside the hospital. Your primary purpose will be to treat wounds and stabilize critical patients who may have had an accident, suffered a respiratory failure, or experienced a cardiac arrest. Along with the necessary treatment, you will need to safely transport urgent care patients to the hospital.
To begin this path and ensure you know what it takes to get patients to safety, start by enrolling in an online emt course and cultivating your skills and knowledge. An EMT certificate shifts you under the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) jurisdiction. You are their first ray of hope in a disaster for most patients.
- Benefits. Once you become an EMT, you can get free dental and medical coverage from the hospital you work for, which will help you keep your health in check. When it comes to job security, you will make an excellent median annual wage of about $36,000. Your certificate will also make you eligible for other potential job prospects such as an Emergency dispatcher and Emergency room technician. This profession will not go out of demand anytime soon, with a predicted growth of 11% for the next decade.
- Duration. An EMT program may take a minimum of three weeks with a maximum of two years with over 120 hours of instruction required. After completing the necessary credit hours, you must pass the EMT cognitive exam and get yourself registered on the National Registry Medical Technician (EMT). The exam and registration enable you to practice as long as your certificate is renewed every two years.
- Cost. The total cost of enrolling in an EMT certificate is between $800-$1,000, depending on your state. If you opt for a community college, the prices may be lower.
- Prerequisites. You will need to have a high school diploma or a GED equivalence and complete immunization records, including vaccinations for the coronavirus. You need to have at least two years of training or work experience post-diploma.
- Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
As a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), you will prepare all necessary healthcare resources to deal with large-scale emergencies. These can include natural disasters, a breakout of diseases, and scarcity of food and water. Therefore, your responsibilities include identifying the best way forward, making necessary preparations, preventing the situation from escalating, and minimizing collateral damage.
CEMs need to work with vulnerable communities, so a CEM certificate is necessary if you want to work in this challenging role. It equips you with the required skills, knowledge, and adaptability to bring any crises to a swift close and minimize the harm caused.
- Benefits. Once you get a CEM certificate, you can register with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). You will get to network with other emergency managers through your membership. You will also be able to work with the government on establishing new policies which can prove beneficial during emergencies. As a CEM, you will make an excellent average wage of approximately $60,000. Emergency Management is also a steady field with a predicted growth rate of over 6% for the next decade.
- Duration. You will have to appear for a two-hour CEM examination and prepare from the approved CEM study guide. You will get to learn at your own pace and continue your career unhindered as you upskill.
- Cost. The certificate will cost you about $415 if you have an IAEM membership. If you are not registered, it can cost up to $600.
- Prerequisites. The certificate has extensive requirements that include training and experience. You need at least 100 hours in emergency management training with an additional 100 in general management training. You will also need at least three years of work experience in the emergency management field and a four-year baccalaureate degree.
- Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
As a CPhT, you fill prescriptions and assist in the daily operations of your pharmacy. Your job is crucial since up to 80,000 Americans die annually from drug overdose alone, and strict diligence is required to not contribute to this figure. Prescriptions are quite intricate since you will need to know how to measure the exact dosage and the appropriate labeling to prevent any mishap. Your certificate will also prepare you for prescription purchases, inventory management, and processing insurance claims.
- Benefits. CPhT is a flexible certificate that will qualify you to work for major pharmaceutical companies and hospitals instead of standalone ones. Your work as a pharmacist will be active and not limited to the desk. As a pharmacy technician, you will be part of a growing sector with a steady growth rate of 4% well into the next decade. You will also secure an excellent average wage of $35,000 annually. You can also explore career paths in insurance billing and become a drug representative.
- Duration. The program usually lasts for two years, but accelerated pathways also exist, allowing you to get certified in as little as four months.
- Cost. The total cost of the certificate program is between $1,000 and $4,500.
- Prerequisites. You will need at least a high school diploma to be eligible for the certificate with no criminal records or restrictions from the board of Pharmacy.
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
If you choose to become a CCMA, you will work across different healthcare facilities assisting doctors, nurses, and patients. While you will not directly treat patients, you will assist in the treatment process. Your responsibilities will include drawing blood, changing bandages, recording vital signs, and charting patient data. You will also administer medicines, offer general medical advice, and monitor diagnostic processes.
- Benefits. A CCMA certificate quickly gives you the skills that help doctors manage different cases. The field will continue to grow at a high rate of 28% over the next ten years. You also make an excellent salary of $34,000 annually on average. Because of this certification, you may also find work as a medical office assistant and an EKG technician.
- Duration. The certification program takes less than a year to complete.
- Cost. Program costs are about $3,500 and can be higher depending on the state you get certified.
- Prerequisites. You will need to complete medical assistance training from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and have a high school diploma.
Final Thoughts
The healthcare sector has many options to explore once you get certified. If you choose to become a pharmacy technician, you will be able to guarantee the safe usage of medications. You can assist patients as an EMT, and as a CEM, you can prevent calamities from getting out of control.
If you enjoy working with doctors, consider becoming a medical assistant and participating in inpatient care. Use this list as a springboard and realize your passion for the healthcare field today.