As a quickly-growing sector, the healthcare industry is in constant need of skilled professionals to fill a variety of clinical and administrative roles. If you’re hoping to fill one of these openings, earning certification is a great way to jumpstart your medical career. Certifications provide the knowledge and hands-on training needed to qualify for many entry-level positions, often in less time than traditional degree programs.
In this post, we’ll take a look at nine medical certifications that can help you enter the healthcare field quickly. Whether you’re interested in patient care, medical administration, or a more specialized role, there’s a certification program that’s right for you.
Why Should I Earn a Healthcare Certificate?
Top 9 Quick Medical Certifications
Start Your Medical Career With Advanced eClinical Training
Why Should I Earn a Healthcare Certificate?
If entering the medical field as soon as possible is your goal, earning a healthcare certification is one of the fastest ways to start your career — with many programs taking only a few months to complete. Certifications demonstrate that you’re qualified to perform the essential tasks of a specific role, whether it’s in patient care, medical administration, or technical support.
Certification programs often include hands-on training, giving you valuable practical experience before you begin working. This experience helps to bridge the gap between learning and doing, preparing you to hit the ground running once you enter the field. It also ensures that you’re familiar with the latest technology, procedures, and regulations governing healthcare today.
In many cases, certification is a minimum requirement for entry-level positions. From medical assistants to phlebotomists, employers look for these certifications to ensure their staff is competent and prepared to provide quality care. By earning a healthcare certificate, you’ll have the qualifications you need for your chosen career path.
Top 9 Quick Medical Certifications
If you’re eager to start your healthcare career, these ten certifications offer both quick completion times and high earning potential. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
1. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
A certified clinical medical assistant provides support to doctors and other healthcare professionals by performing both clinical and administrative duties.
- Program Length: Eight weeks with Advanced eClinical Training
- Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Employment: CCMAs work in Outpatient care facilities, physician offices, healthcare clinics, and hospitals
- Salary: The median wage for CCMAs is $42,000 per year, with the potential to earn more depending on location and employer
2. Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT)
Certified patient care technicians work directly with patients, providing hands-on care and assisting with daily activities such as bathing, feeding, and ambulation assistance.
- Program Length: Eight weeks with Advanced eClinical Training
- Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Employment: CPCTs work in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers
- Salary: On average, CPCTs make $38,476 per year, with the highest earners bringing home up to $58,000
3. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Certified pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists in dispensing medications, preparing prescriptions, and providing customer service in both retail and hospital pharmacies.
- Program Length: 12 weeks with Advanced eClinical Training
- Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Employment: Pharmacy technicians typically work in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, online or mail-order pharmacies, and nursing homes
- Salary: The median annual wage for CPhTs is $40,300, but individuals in this role have the potential to earn as much as $57,130 or more depending on location and employer
4. Certified Physical Therapy Technician (PTTC)
Physical therapy technicians assist physical therapists with helping patients recover from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions by setting up equipment, preparing treatment areas, and guiding patients through exercises.
- Program Length: Eight to 12 weeks with Advanced eClinical Training
- Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Employment: PTTCs commonly work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient physical therapy clinics, and sports medicine facilities
- Salary: The average salary for PTTCs is $35,161 annually, though some professionals earn upwards of $59,000
5. Medical Terminology Certification
A medical terminology certification provides a strong foundation in the language of healthcare, preparing individuals to work in a variety of medical settings, from patient records management to billing to clinical environments.
- Program Length: Four weeks with Advanced eClinical Training
- Eligibility Requirements: N/A
- Employment: Medical terminology certification is ideal for anyone pursuing administrative roles, such as medical billing, coding, or office administration
- Salary: Exact salary will depend on the role, but positions such as medical records specialists earn a median salary of $48,780, with some individuals making as much as $77,810
6. Certified EKG Technician (CET)
Certified EKG technicians specialize in performing echocardiograms, which monitor the electrical activity of the heart to detect heart conditions.
- Program Length: Length varies across programs, but typically between three and six months
- Eligibility Requirements: Programs typically require a high school diploma or equivalent
- Employment: EKG technicians work in hospitals, cardiology offices, outpatient care centers, and diagnostic labs
- Salary: The average annual salary for EKG technicians is $57,162, with some technicians making up to $86,891, depending on where they work
7. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
Certified phlebotomy technicians are responsible for drawing blood from patients for tests, donations, and transfusions.
- Program Length: Between four and six months, depending on the program
- Eligibility Requirements: Most phlebotomy training programs require a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, a minimum age of 18, passed criminal background check, and CPR certification may also be mandatory.
- Employment: Phlebotomists work in hospitals, clinical labs, blood donation centers, doctors’ offices, and outpatient care facilities
- Salary: The median annual salary for phlebotomists is $41,810, with the highest paid individuals making upwards of $55,330
8. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Certified Nursing Assistants provide direct patient care in assistance of nurses, including helping with daily living activities and monitoring patient health.
- Program Length: Many programs last between four and 12 weeks, with others taking six months or more to complete
- Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and a clean background check
- Employment: CNAs are typically employed by hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and in-home healthcare providers
- Salary: The median CNA salary is $38,200, with the highest earners making more than $48,780 per year
9. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified professional coders specialize in medical coding, translating medical procedures and diagnoses into standardized codes for billing and insurance purposes.
- Program Length: Program lengths vary, but you can expect anywhere between a four month up to a year and a half-long commitment
- Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Employment: CPCs work in a variety of healthcare-related settings, including at hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, insurance companies, and billing agencies
- Salary: The median yearly salary for CPCs is $61,205, with the highest earners making $78,590 or more
Start Your Medical Career With Advanced eClinical Training
Earning a medical certification is one of the best ways to fast-track a rewarding career in healthcare. With a variety of programs to choose from, you can easily find one that fits your interests and professional goals, while also opening the door for immediate employment opportunities.
Ready to take the next step? Explore our complete catalog of online medical training programs to find the right certification for you. These affordable, accelerated, online healthcare certifications make it possible to acquire the clinical skills and earn the qualifications and credentials you need to enter the field of medicine in as little as eight to 12 weeks.
If you have questions, feel free to contact us — our team is always here to help — or download your free copy of our eBook: 34 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Medical Training Program.
