Are you ready to leave behind an unfulfilling job to take on a career that pays well and makes a difference?
The healthcare field is full of opportunities for high-paying, quick-to-complete certifications that can set you on a new path in months—not years.
Healthcare is booming, with the demand for skilled professionals growing rapidly. Medical certifications will open the door to a rewarding career with real earning potential. These roles require certifications rather than degrees, so it’s an affordable way to launch a career quickly.
If you’re looking to make a smart career shift into a high-paying healthcare role, this list of quick medical certifications is the perfect place to start.
Why Get a Medical Certification?
It’s the perfect time to pursue a medical certification. With a job outlook of 15% or higher, the healthcare industry is growing rapidly.
With numerous career options—from medical billing to patient care technician—you’ll be set up for in-demand roles that offer stability in a field that’s continually expanding.
Healthcare certifications are a smart investment. They offer strong earning potential and job security, with the cost of certification quickly offset by higher salaries and opportunities for career advancement.
How to Choose the Right Medical Certification
With so many medical certifications available, it can be challenging to decide where to start. Here are some key questions to help you find the perfect certification to boost your healthcare career.
What excites you most about healthcare?
Are you passionate about patient care, medical technology, or administrative roles? Pinpoint your interests and choose a certification that aligns with your passion and will keep you motivated throughout your career.
How much time can you commit to studying?
Assess your current schedule. If you’re balancing work and family commitments, look for flexible, self-paced programs that fit your lifestyle. Knowing how much time you can dedicate to studying will help you pick a certification that matches your availability.
What are your long-term career goals?
Identify your career ambitions—do you want an entry-level position or a more established role? Choose certifications that align with your goals so you can map out a clear path to your dream healthcare career.
7 Incredibly Fast Online Healthcare Certificate Programs
If you’re tired of waiting for your dream career and are ready to take control of your learning, these 7 quick online healthcare certification programs are right up your alley.
1. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
Training time: 11 weeks
Median pay: $34,480 per year
Top pay: $49,060+
As a phlebotomist, you draw blood for transfusions, tests, or blood donations. This role is critical to the healthcare industry as doctors request blood work for patients daily. Empathetic individuals do well in this role as they may need to keep patients calm while taking blood samples.
Where do they work? You may work in labs, hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices as a CPT.
Learn how to prep for and pass the NHA CPT Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam.
2. Professional Coder (CPC)
Training time: 20 weeks
Median pay: $44,751 per year
Top pay: $51,752+
In less than 6 months, you can become a professional coder and work in busy healthcare offices. As a Professional Coder, you organize and review patient medical records and assigns codes for each diagnosis and treatment. You also prepare coded information for use by health care insurers or for research.
Where do they work? Professional billers usually work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Learn how to prep for and pass the CPC Certified Professional Coder exam.
3. Pharmacy Technician Professional (CPhT)
Training time: 25 weeks
Median pay: $30,753 per year
Top pay: $36,604+
Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist to help prepare and fill medical prescriptions. This job is great for communicators as you handle most customer interaction – except explaining medications, that’s handled solely by the pharmacist. You could be involved in anything from pricing medication to processing insurance claims and dispensing prescriptions to patients.
Where do they work? Pharmacy Technicians work in either a retail pharmacy or a healthcare facility.
Learn how to prep for and pass the CPhT Certified Pharmacy Technician exam.
4. Medical Assistant (CCMA, CMAA)
Training time: 27 weeks
Median pay: $33,610 per year
Top pay: $47,250+
If being in an operating room isn’t for you, there’s always the option of becoming a certified medical assistant. As a medical assistant, you may provide clinical care in addition to administrative tasks. In this role, you may take vital signs, prep patient rooms, document medical histories, offer patient education, and more. Of all the quick certifications that pay well, this one has the highest anticipated job growth, too.
Where do they work? You may find work in outpatient facilities, specialists’ offices, and hospitals.
At MedCerts, we offer multiple programs where you can earn more than one certification. If you’re hoping to move into a career as a Medical Assistant, we offer three online Medical Assistant programs depending on what certifications you are interested in.
Learn how to prep for and pass the CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) exam, and the CMAA (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant) exam.
5. Medical Front Office Administration Specialist (CMAA)
Training time: 13 weeks
Median pay: $30,000 per year
Top pay: $38,378+
Front Office Administrative Specialists are an essential part of any medical practice. They act as the first point of contact for patients checking in at the front desk and perform a variety of administrative tasks. This includes compiling medical records, scheduling appointments, transferring lab results, and operating office equipment. This position is perfect for organized individuals with great people skills.
Where do they work? Medical Front Office Administration Specialists can find work in hospitals, clinics, and physician offices.
Learn how to prep for and pass the CMAA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam.
6. Behavioral Technician Specialist (RBT)
Training time: 11 weeks
Median pay: $31,522 per year
Top pay: $43,000+
A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) works in clinical settings under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) to provide treatment plans for patients like autistic children. As a behavior technician, you’ll work under a BCBA to create the most impactful changes for an individual patient. You could teach children language and communication skills, daily living skills, and more while recording and analyzing data.
Where do they work? Behavioral Technician Specialists typically work in mental health facilities, medical centers, school districts, and childhood development centers.
Learn how to prep for and pass the RBT Registered Behavior Technician Specialist certification exam.
7. Patient Care Technician (PCT, CPCT)
Training time: 23 weeks
Median pay: $36,605 per year
Top pay: $67,872+
Due to an aging population, the need for Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) is growing quickly. The role is vital to healthcare facilities, as PCTs work closely with nurses by assisting patients in managing food intake, administering IVs, drawing blood, and much more. This is a great first step in moving toward a career as a Registered Nurse and is an opportunity to work closely with patients and build a bedside manner.
Where do they work? PCTs can find work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities.
Learn how to prep for and pass the CPCT Certified Patient Care Technician exam.
The MedCerts Difference: Why MedCerts Online Certification Programs Stand Out
Want to learn more about going back to school for quick medical field certifications that pay well?
MedCerts provides comprehensive training in many high-demand healthcare careers, utilizing interactive and engaging learning methods to ensure a thorough understanding of the material. See here for a full list of healthcare certification programs offered.
Interactive Learning Methods
MedCerts’ online courses employ interactive and engaging learning techniques. This approach ensures students learn the material and understand how to apply it in real-world scenarios.
Flexible Payment Options
MedCerts offers flexible payment plans. These include options to pay in full, installment plans and access to government grant funding, thus making the course accessible to all. Plus, MedCerts is more affordable than many traditional programs.
If you’re a military spouse, be sure to reach out to an education consultant today to learn more about using your MyCAA scholarship benefit to get a certification!
Post-Program Career Assistance
MedCerts instructors go beyond just training for the exam. They provide extensive post-program support, including access to a Career Center and Career Coaches for a year. This ongoing support is invaluable in navigating the competitive job market.
Quick Online Healthcare Certificate Programs: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest healthcare certification to get online?
The easiest healthcare certification to obtain online is the Medical Billing and Coding certification. This certification is offered online as a self-paced learning program and does not require a healthcare background.
What is the shortest medical certification?
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is often one of the shortest medical certifications, taking as little as 4-12 weeks to complete. Another fast option is the Phlebotomy Technician certification, which can be earned in 8-10 weeks, depending on the program.
Get a Fast Online Healthcare Certification with MedCerts’ Online Programs!
There’s no better time to earn a healthcare certification!
Enroll in MedCerts’ healthcare online certificate programs and take the next step toward a rewarding career in the medical field. With flexible learning options, expert instruction and dedicated career support, your future in healthcare is within reach.
