8 Certificates in Online Healthcare You Can Get Fast

Certificate vs. Certification: What You Need to Know

Although you may hear the two words used interchangeably sometimes, understanding the difference between a certificate and certification is important, especially in healthcare. A healthcare certificate program is a type of educational or training program in which participants receive a certificate upon graduation and/or passing an exam. It indicates the completion of a course or program with a specialized focus but is different from a program that results in a degree. On the other hand, professional certification involves a process in which an organization awards an individual a credential after verifying they’ve met specific, standardized criteria. A simple way to think about it is that the goal of a certificate program is for participants to acquire specialized knowledge or skills, while the purpose of professional certification is to validate an individual’s competency through a set assessment system.

For example, you might graduate from a dental assistant certificate program and receive your certificate of completion, but to begin working, you’ll still have to obtain professional certification through the Dental Assisting National Board.

It’s important to keep in mind the distinct difference between the two as you continue reading. In the section below, we talk about both certificates as well as the benefits of professional certification.

1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, work in hospitals and other clinical settings. As a CNA, you’ll be helping nurses and physicians complete physical and administrative tasks. These can include feeding, bathing, and transporting patients, stocking medical supplies, and monitoring and recording patient vital signs. A CNA is often an entry-level role with low barriers to access, which can lead to pursuing further education and a career in nursing or medical administration. A CNA certificate will often help prepare you for licensure with your state before you begin working.

Average Duration: 2-12 weeks

Average Cost: $500-$2,000

2. Phlebotomy Technician

If you never flinch at the sight of blood, you might be well-suited to work as a phlebotomy technician. Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for drawing blood samples from patients in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other clinical settings. The phlebotomy technician must also ensure that the samples are properly labeled, stored, and ready for testing. Many phlebotomy technicians are also responsible for explaining procedures to patients, and calming down patients who are afraid of needles.

Average Duration: 4-8 weeks

Average Cost: $700-$2,000

3. Medical Assistant

Medical assistants work in clinics, hospitals, and private practices, where they provide assistance in the front office with clerical tasks, or in the back office, where they provide basic patient care such as checking vital signs. Becoming a medical assistant means you might have an expanded scope of duties, depending upon the rules in their state. Some medical assistants may specialize in a particular field of medicine, like pediatrics, and cultivate special skills needed for their role.

Average Duration: 4-9 months

Average Cost: $1,500-$3,600

4. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Emergency Medical Technicians, commonly known as EMTs, are at the very front lines of patient care. When someone calls an ambulance, the people who will arrive at their home or other location will be EMTs. EMTs provide onsite emergency care including stabilizing wounds, measure vitals like heart rate and blood oxygen levels, assess patient condition, and safely transport patients in need of more extensive care to a hospital or other medical facility.

Average Duration: 1-3 months

Average Cost: $1,000-$1,750

5. Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician

An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a machine that measures heart rate and is used to check for certain cardiovascular issues, such as arrhythmia. An EKG technician is a professional who operates an EKG to check patient heart rates. An EKG technician will generally require certification, but not a specific educational program. In addition to certification courses, many EKG technicians can acquire a large amount of relevant training on the job.

Average Duration: 1-3 months

Average Cost: $400-$,1000

6. Dental Assistant

Dental assistants work with dentists and dental hygienists to provide dental care to patients. Dental assistants perform duties such as scheduling appointments, keeping detailed records, assisting dentists in procedures, and taking x-rays. This is a role that blends hands-on patient care in dental offices and other dental care settings with medical administrative work, meaning the ideal dental assistant should have a versatile skillset. Other duties might be expected of dental assistants depending on their work environment.

Average Duration: 6-9 months

Average Cost: $3,000-$6,000

7. Patient Care Technician (PCT)

Patient care techs, sometimes known as nursing assistants, look after patients in the hospital or nursing home settings. They work under the supervision of LPNs and RNs, handling day-to-day duties for patients that can include helping with feeding and toileting, turning bedridden patients to prevent pain and bedsores, measuring vital signs, and reporting any concerns to nurses. This is an entry-level role that can often lead to further education in nursing.

Average Duration: 3-6 months

Average Cost: $1,000-$3,000

8. Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists in filling prescriptions, compounding treatments, verifying insurance information, counseling patients, and otherwise handling the day-to-day responsibilities in a pharmacy. To become a successful pharmacy technician, you should be highly detail oriented, as mistakes can lead to incorrect prescriptions which can potentially endanger patients. Pharmacy technicians work in drugstores, grocery stores, and private pharmacies, as well as hospital onsite pharmacies.

Average Duration: 4-9 months

Average Cost: $3,000-$4,000