How NHA Certifications Can Open Doors to a Career in Healthcare

Healthcare is the fastest-growing job field in the U.S. and offers excellent benefits, job security and the opportunity to make a difference.

Most healthcare employers are looking for either certification or prior experience, so getting that first healthcare job can be a challenge. NHA certification can help you get your foot in the door of a healthcare career so you can start impacting your community sooner.

What Is an NHA Certification?

Certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a way to stand out to potential employers, they show that you have the knowledge and skills a healthcare position requires, and it means you’ve been given the training you need to get started right away.

The NHA offers nationally-recognized certifications for eight healthcare specialties:

1. Medical assistant
2. Medical administrative assistant
3. Phlebotomy technician
4. EKG technician
5. Pharmacy technician
6. Patient care technician/assistant
7. Billing and coding specialist
8. Electronic health record specialist

After completing a training program in their chosen field, a candidate can earn NHA certification by taking a standardized exam. In passing this test, the candidate demonstrates their grasp of the information and skills necessary to succeed in their new career.

Benefits of NHA Certification

A certification from the NHA offers many benefits for your long-term career advancement.

Excellent Job Prospects

Earning NHA credentials places you in a different category than an entry-level candidate with no training. It shows that you have already mastered the technical skills and knowledge needed for the job. It also speaks volumes about your dedication to the profession as well as your perseverance, work ethic, and commitment to excellence.

Increased Earning Potential

A small medical office may be willing to provide on-the-job training, but recruiters for more lucrative jobs at the best hospitals and clinics will be looking for the most qualified candidate out of a large applicant pool. NHA certification gives you a competitive edge when applying for highly desirable positions.

Faster Career Advancement

An online training program from MedCerts takes only a few months to complete. On-the-job training takes much longer and doesn't always result in certification. Without a formal training program, a candidate must have a minimum of a year's experience in the field to be eligible for a certification exam and is less likely to pass it. With NHA certification, you'll be fully qualified on day one of your first job.

Possible Careers with NHA Certification

From Medication Care Coordinator to Medical Billing Specialist, NHA certification can open the door to dozens of professions. Here are just a few of the career opportunities available to you once you complete your training.

Medical Assistant

Able to provide both hands-on care for patients and administrative assistance, a certified medical assistant is a valuable asset to a doctor’s office or health clinic. Medical assistants can administer injections and medications, take vital signs, perform EKGs, draw blood, and assist doctors with exams and procedures. They may also schedule surgeries, work in the electronic health record, inventory and order medical supplies, and perform preventative maintenance on medical equipment.

With so many job seekers applying for medical assistant positions, applicants with multiple national certifications tend to stand out. Today's Medical Assistants are expected to take on additional responsibilities – chief among them related to and around the practices of Phlebotomy and Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG). 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.

EKG Technician

EKG technicians help diagnose heart conditions by administering EKGs, stress tests, and Holter monitoring. They edit the test results, deliver them to the physician for analysis, and transcribe the doctor’s interpretations.

The EKG Technician training program at MedCerts is reasonably priced and takes only 11 weeks. It prepares you to sit for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam. After you complete the online program, MedCerts will help you find an experiential learning placement where you can administer the 10 EKGs required for NHA exam eligibility.

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians receive prescriptions, measure, package and label medications, file insurance claims, and manage inventory. It’s a critical role in healthcare, and it requires a professional who is knowledgeable, thorough, detail-oriented, and accurate, to ensure patient safety and compliance with state and federal regulations.

MedCerts offers two programs that prepare candidates for a career as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. The Pharmacy Technician Specialist program is only 16 weeks long but is packed with a wealth of information about the top 200 medications, dosage calculations, and pharmacy law. The Pharmacy Technician Professional program is ASHP/ACPE accredited and includes an 8-week externship in a pharmacy.

The Key to a Rewarding Career

NHA certification can help you start a career in healthcare and fast-track you to a job you love. A MedCerts online program can provide you with the knowledge, technical skills, and confidence you need to pass the NHA exam and embark on a fulfilling career in healthcare.