Healthcare is a vast and complex field, encompassing a multitude of specializations and a flexible ecosystem where professionals can advance their careers and even change their career paths with the right certifications. Getting certified in the modern medical sector is of the utmost importance if you are to set the foundation for a thriving career, and the majority of career paths require that you earn the right certifications before being legally eligible to practice medicine in that particular field.

This should tell you enough about the importance of certifications in the healthcare profession, whether you’re pursuing a nursing career or looking to become an EMT. What’s more, you should know what some of the most popular certifications are that can help you ascend the medical field faster. After all, your goal should be to advance quickly in order to fulfill your career goals, earn higher pay, get a better job, and help more people around you. With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at a few certifications that will help you achieve all of this and more. 

Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) 

Patient care is one of the most sought-after professions nowadays, as certified patient care technicians have a variety of roles to play and can provide care to a variety of patient types. From hospital patients to administering continuous and sporadic at-home care, obtaining the CPCT status allows you to become a successful nursing assistant. This certification is provided by the NHA (National Healthcare Association) and it requires you to attend the appropriate classes and training to gain the necessary skills.

You will also need to perform various tasks in real-life situations to gain this certification. These include any tasks in which you assist in patient care and physical examinations, administering medication, as well as feeding and bathing patients when necessary. You may also be instructed to assist patients with lab work and answer any treatment-related question they might have.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) 

Becoming a certified phlebotomy technician is another interesting career path that will allow you to work in almost any medical institution and partake in various healthcare projects, such as a blood drive or anything that has to do with blood analysis. The job of a certified phlebotomy technician is to gather blood specimens for testing purposes in a clinical laboratory and label them properly before being taken to the lab. 

The certification process will ensure you learn the proper procedures for extracting blood and communicating with patients regarding specific procedures. You only need an equivalent of a high school diploma to apply for this certification, allowing you to start your career early on. 

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification

The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched the resources of the global healthcare system too thin and has created a need for certified medical professionals who are equipped to handle COVID-related symptoms, particularly cardiopulmonary emergencies. This is why getting certified online for ACLS has become one of the most important and promising career paths for medical professionals, as this certification is one of the most highly sought-after certificated currently in the industry.

Because ACLS is a vast and comprehensive certification encompassing many skills, it has become indispensable to healthcare institutions around the world. This certification will take you through Basic Life Support and all its elements, all Advanced Cardiac Life Support techniques and theory, the principles of early defibrillation, various systems of care, ACLS cases, and much more. You can use the ACLS certification to become an important part of the fight against COVID and secure a successful career in the years to come.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) 

Much like the aforementioned CPCT, the CCMA certification encompasses a variety of skills that help with patient care but also assisting doctors in their work. Whether you are caring for and prepping patients undergoing cancer treatment or if you are instructing patients of preventative measures to avoid certain illnesses or exacerbate their condition, the life and work of a certified clinical medical assistant are versatile and colorful. To become eligible for this certification, you will need a high school diploma and at least one year of experience working in a healthcare institution.

Registered behavior technician (RBT) Certification

The RBT certification is a very special one in that you will address a specific field of medicine pertaining to patient behavioral issues before and during treatment. The role of a registered behavior technician is to carefully examine and note patient disorders that may impact their medical treatment as well as their quality of life. 

You will also be administering treatment to patients and monitoring their behavioral patterns, talking to them, and assessing their needs and mental state to find ways to improve the effectiveness of the treatment. To become eligible, you need a high school diploma, but you will also need to complete a background check as well as a competency assessment aside from getting proper training and education. 

Wrapping up

There are many medical certifications that can advance your career, and it’s important to choose the ones that will be in demand over the long term. Consider adding one the certifications to your resume in order to ensure a thriving career in your field.