How Professional Certifications Can Accelerate Your Federal Health Care Career Growth
The federal healthcare industry offers a lot of career opportunities, but it’s also a competitive field. One of the best ways to set yourself apart from the competition is by earning professional certifications. These credentials not only prove to employers that you have well-trained skills, but they also open doors to new job opportunities and career advancements.
In this guide, we’ll explore how professional certifications can accelerate your career, from expanding your knowledge to increasing your earning potential. We’ll also dive into some of the key certifications in federal healthcare, helping you figure out which ones can give you the edge in this rewarding field.
The Benefits of Earning Certifications in Federal Healthcare
The federal government is the largest provider of medical care in the country, covering over 100 million Americans through programs such as Medicare, the Veterans’ Health Administration, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.¹ Federal health care encompasses a wide range of professional work, from patient care to data management and compliance. Whether you’re directly caring for patients or working behind the scenes in administrative roles, federal employers expect a high level of competency and expertise from their staff.
Here are the benefits of earning certifications in federal healthcare:
Meet Federal Requirements
Many federal health care jobs require certain certifications as a bare-minimum credential. The federal government implements these regulations to ensure that medical institutions and professionals meet legal standards in safety, quality, and ethical practices. For example, only nurses with a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) certification are allowed to administer anesthesia in federal healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, jobs in health information management often require a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification to ensure that the employee has expertise in data security and following privacy laws.
Boost Your Credentials
Certifications help you qualify for higher and more specialized roles in federal health care. If you are aiming to get promoted or hired to a higher-level job, a professional certification will show that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for the more advanced position you want to have. For example, if you’re a registered nurse and you want to boost your career level, you can get a certification to be a Clinical Nurse Specialist, an advanced position that provides expert clinical practice, research, and education. Credentials like this also open the door to better-paying jobs and greater responsibilities, making career growth more achievable.
Increase Your Marketability
Certifications make your resume stand out. They show that you possess the skills, knowledge, and commitment needed to improve the quality of your work. For instance, clinical and administrative skills are common in health care services. However, certifications like the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) show that you care about going beyond the minimum level of required skills. When employers, hiring managers, or advanced medical professionals browse your resume, your certifications will tell them that your capabilities are competitive, increasing your chances of getting hired.
Raise Your Earning Potential
Certifications are not just for proving skills—they can also translate into real financial gains. In fact, studies show that healthcare workers who hold professional certifications earn, on average, 4.8% more in weekly income than those who don’t.² For instance, if you work as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse, having a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification proves your advanced expertise in the job. This can make employers more willing to offer you a higher salary compared to employees without this certification.
Expand Specialization and Focus
Professional certifications allow health care workers to specialize in a niche area, such as coding, emergency response, or public health. This can lead to more focused career paths and opportunities within those specialties. For example, if you are interested in working with medical imaging or diagnostic technology, you can get a certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This will help you qualify for federal roles in radiology or imaging departments.
Professional Certifications in Federal Health Care
There are numerous types of government-recognized certifications that can help you grow in your federal health care career. The right one will ultimately depend on the specialization or area of work that you want to do, whether it’s in common clinical roles or in specialized jobs like information technology and disaster response. Here’s a quick list of the top certifications you can consider.
Clinical Roles
Certifications for clinical roles involve jobs that provide direct patient care, such as doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists.
Nurse Practitioner (NP): This is an advanced certification that has various specializations, such as family care, adult gerontology, pediatric care, psychiatric mental health, oncology, and diabetes.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA): CMAs are equipped for both clinical and administrative tasks. This certification is usually required in Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and public health facilities.
Board Certifications for Physicians: The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) offers this certification for physicians who want to gain official recognition of their expertise in fields like internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery.
Board Certification in Clinical Specialty: The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) offers certifications for physical therapists who want to specialize in niche fields, including orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, geriatrics, and sports physical therapy.
IT and Technology Roles
These certifications train professionals in managing healthcare systems, conducting diagnostics, and improving patient care through technology.
Health Information Management (HIM) Certifications:
This includes the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Technician (RHIT), which are crucial certifications for professionals who handle patient data in federal systems.
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
An MLT certification proves a professional's ability to conduct tests on blood, urine, and other samples to help diagnose diseases. MLTs train in using tools like microscopes, automated machines, and molecular testing equipment.
Medical Technologist (MT)
The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) offers the MT certification, which is designed for professionals working in clinical laboratories. It includes two tracks: a generalist certification covering multiple disciplines, and an individual discipline type with options like molecular diagnostics and immunology.
Dentistry Roles
Dentistry certifications in federal healthcare cover roles from dental assistants and hygienists to oral surgeons and orthodontists.
Certified Dental Technician (CDT)
This certification shows a technician's expertise in dental technology by proving their knowledge and practical skills in a specific area, including ceramics, digital workflow, implants, dentures, and orthodontics.
Board Certifications for Dentists
These are advanced credentials that demonstrate a dentist’s expertise in a specific area of dentistry, such as pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics.
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
A CDA is proficient in assisting dentists with patient care, including tasks such as preparing instruments, taking X-rays, and providing patient education.
Specialized Roles
Many organizations also provide certifications for niche roles in federal healthcare, like emergency services, social work, and occupational therapy.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN):
The CEN certification shows a nurse’s proficiency in providing urgent and life-saving care, particularly in settings like emergency departments, trauma centers, stroke units, cardiac care units, and burn units.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): LCSWs are trained to address the psychological and emotional needs of veterans and underserved communities.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A CRNA is an advanced-practice nurse trained to safely administer anesthesia, monitor patients during procedures, and manage their care before and after anesthesia.
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
This certification trains occupational therapy assistants to help patients with exercises, teach daily living skills, and support the use of assistive devices.
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References:
1. Rovner, Julie. “Congress and the Executive Branch and Health Policy.” KFF, 28 May 2024, www.kff.org/health-policy-101-congress-and-the-executive-branch-and-health-policy/?entry=table-of-contents-the-federal-role-in-health-policy.
2. Dill, Janette, et al. “Professional Certification and Earnings of Health Care Workers in Low Social Closure Occupations.” Social Science & Medicine, vol. 303, June 2022, p. 115000, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10156129/.
3. Matrix Providers. “MATRIX PROVIDERS LAUNCHES MILITARY HEALTHCARE STAFFING EFFORTS for $43 BILLION GOVERNMENT CONTRACT.” PR Newswire, 22 May 2024, www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/matrix-providers-launches-military-healthcare-staffing-efforts-for-43-billion-government-contract-302152176.html.