If you’re ready to make a career move, here are the top five high-paying healthcare certifications that are eligible for workforce grants.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Certification
The Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification training takes three months to complete. The average starting salary is between $30,000 and $32,000 per year, with an expected growth rate of over 24% over the next 10 years.
Potential job opportunities for graduates include Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Specimen Processor and Phlebotomy Technician.
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician (CCS-P) Certification
The Certified Coding Specialist-Physician (CCS-P) certification training takes just over five months to complete. It’s one of our top five high-paying healthcare certifications with an average starting salary of $41,000.
With nationally-recognized credentials, you’ll be prepared for multiple positions, including Medical Coder, Coding Specialist and Professional Fee Coder.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical billing and coding field is projected to grow by 7% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Mental Health Technician (MHTC) Certification
The Mental Health Technician (MHTC) certification is offered through the American Medical Certification Association. With an average starting salary of $40,760 and several different career pathways, including Psychiatric Technician, Mental Health Specialist or Behavioral Health Aide/Technician, it’s a fantastic way to break into the field of mental health care.
Employment for these professionals is also expected to grow by as much as 16% from 2032 to 2034.
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Certification
If you’re looking for a short-term training program, the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification training is only 14 weeks long and boasts an average starting salary of $36,000.
With this certification, you can build a career as a Sterile Processing Technician, Central Processing Technician, Sterile Preparation Technician, Central Sterile Supply Technician and more.
These professionals prepare, sterilize, install or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment, and demand for them is expected to grow by as much as 11.1% over the next decade.
Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) Certification
The Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) certification training program takes just under six months and offers an average starting salary of $34,000. As one of the top high-paying healthcare certifications that’s eligible for workforce grants, it also allows you to choose from several different career paths.
Whether you opt to be a Home Health Aide, Nursing Assistant or Personal Care Aide, you can make a difference and get paid well for it. Demand for these professionals is expected to grow by up to 17% over the next decade. If you’re ready to make a positive career change and plan to use workforce grants to do so, MedCerts can help you train for one of these high-paying healthcare certifications and kickstart your new career.
Why Employers Are Dropping Degree Requirements
Employers are prioritizing competence over college degrees for one key reason: High performance doesn’t always require a four-year education. This is becoming more and more apparent as the education space changes and as companies look to fill critical roles. Many skills are as easy to develop through non-university training, such as MedCerts’ credential-focused programs.
In many fields, workers from skills-based programs often perform as well as degree holders. They may even have more up-to-date skill sets, particularly in evolving industries such as IT. This shift has happened alongside the growth of high-quality online education, making it easier to eliminate degree requirements.
Another contributing factor is that many industries, including healthcare and IT, are facing serious labor shortages. Companies need to fill gaps quickly or risk priorities like patient safety. Skills are the top priority.
What Types of Jobs Use Skills-First Hiring
Employers use skills-based hiring for high-potential, well-paying roles. This includes many entry-level healthcare roles, such as:
- Medical assistant: Provide clinical and administrative support in hospitals and healthcare offices
- Phlebotomy technician: Perform blood draws and non-blood specimen collection for diagnostic testing
- Patient care technician: Attend to patients’ basic needs and assist with procedures
These positions can be rewarding lifelong careers or stepping stones to more senior positions. The same is true for numerous IT and technology support roles, such as:
- IT support professional: Set up and maintain company systems
- Help desk administrator: Configure, maintain and troubleshoot networks
- PC technician: Maintain and troubleshoot Windows-based computers
A foundation in technology basics can serve as a launchpad for numerous careers, some of which may not even exist yet.
How Workforce Funding Can Pay for Training
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other government funding options have made skills development more accessible than ever. Short-term funding can reduce, and even eliminate, out-of-pocket costs for career training, enabling more people to train for in-demand jobs.
You may be eligible for this kind of funding and not even know it. If you’re unemployed or underemployed, a workforce grant could change your life. Don’t let the lack of a college degree keep you from achieving your dreams. Make an appointment at an American Job Center or talk with a MedCerts Education Consultant to find out how you can train for a promising career in months, not years.
