Even before this year, the roles of „essential workers“ were among the most fulfilling and lucrative career paths in the United States. However, many people who consider pursing healthcare positions are unaware how many specialty roles can be filled with a multitude of employment needs. Various certifications can be obtained to add valuable accreditations to a position, and more and more healthcare workers choose to better their career paths with additions to their nursing specialty. Here, we will look at three different types of worthwhile specialty certifications for healthcare workers to pursue that increase their value as healthcare team members.
Certified Nursing Assistant
In the U.S. healthcare industry, nursing certifications demonstrate a given worker’s qualifications to perform numerous crucial routine tasks for a diverse range of patients. One of the most popular roles for aspiring healthcare workers (especially those in school for future career as a registered nurse) is that of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). This job requires a specific certification, but also permits the CNA to assist medical doctors and RNs with such daily responsibilities as patients‘ personal hygiene and other related basic procedures. Such a certification requires at least 75 hours of training and hands-on clinical hours in a hospital setting, as well as a two-part exam with a writing portion and a demonstration of skills.
CNAs are always in high demand throughout the healthcare industry, especially in hospitals and as caregivers within nursing facilities. As such, CNAs can benefit greatly from the experience as they work towards their own nursing career. Like all specialty certifications, being a CNA does, ultimately, require recertification every year to remain current and in good standing. With that renewal, a CNA can go on to diversify their specialty with additional certifications as an attachment.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
In recent years, new studies regarding the mental health and behavior problems of adolescents have given rise to career paths pertaining to autism spectrum disorder. For many parents, raising a child with behavioral needs can be a daunting task, and new positions in the healthcare industry have addressed those needs. For example, the need for Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) workers has risen considerably.
Not only is this position in-demand and also lucrative, but is a perfect job for those medical workers interested in long-term careers within the psychiatric and behavioral science fields. Due to the specialized nature of working with patients with behavior disorders, the RBT certification is coupled with a mandatory background check and competency assessment, although experience with mental health and adolescents, in general, can be a worthwhile bonus. This is also a unique experience to work with young children with special needs.
The certification process can also benefit from an interest in working with patients with disability needs, as well as an interest in learning each child’s development. A good RBT is in a unique position to study and positively influence the parenting style of a younger patient’s family and, ultimately, is a great way to become a positive force in the child’s life.
Certified EKG Technician
Many of those aspiring towards a nursing career or related position in healthcare may want to seek out more hands-on clinical tasks. An excellent first step would be to consider a specialty certification for administering heart health exams. Known as a Certified EKG Technician (CET), these healthcare workers specifically focus on EKG tests, and are responsible for determining irregularities that can lead to heart disease or possible heart attacks, ultimately increasing the person’s lifespan. As many people get into later adulthood, heart health can be a serious issue, and CETs are required to explain all of the important details of an EKG procedure to each patient prior to their meeting with the cardiologist. For example, checking blood pressure, stress tests, and other vitals are all part of a CET’s normal routine. Like the other certifications mentioned, this path also requires a high school diploma, as well as some advanced practice as an EMT or are currently working towards a career path in long-term healthcare, such as a nursing career or already having a RN license.
As with all forms of healthcare certification, there are different ways to earn the experience needed for administering critical care. Your academic performance is important in earning each individual certificate, but a genuine interest in Pediatrics, Oncology, Autism, and handling individual patient outcomes is the best way to remain motivated as you work though the certification program. In the end, your expert knowledge will prove to be the most effective way to choose your eventual specialization in the healthcare industry, and as you learn the different requirements, your career path will become all the more attainable.