The Soaring Demand for Healthcare Certificate Programs

Ready for some good news? Healthcare occupations are projected to add the most new jobs—5 million—between now and 2022. Even better? Many of these healthcare careers do not require years and years of training. Healthcare certificate programs, which are essentially short-term, career-oriented training courses, are becoming more and more popular and available. If you are considering a career in healthcare, check out a certificate program; you’ll find it a quick road to a great career.

Popularity and benefits
Certificate programs are designed to quickly lead to well-paying jobs at a fraction of the cost of a college degree. More and more people are discovering how great a certificate program can be; over 1 million certificates are awarded nationwide each year, and they are the second most common post-secondary award according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

The study goes on to say that, on average, certificate holders earn 20% more than those who possess only a high school diploma. On top of the increased salary, most of the programs can be completed in a matter of months! It’s a great way to start a new career within one year and for working individuals to change their career trajectory.

Healthcare Certificates
The healthcare industry is booming with excellent employment opportunities that can be started with just certificate training—not all of which demand direct patient care. If you want an in-demand career free of blood and disease, check out our top certificate training picks.

• Medical transcription certification: You can become a medical transcriptionist in as little as 4 months. In this career, you transcribe doctor dictations into written patient reports and records, and thanks to the growing volume of healthcare services, this career is sticking around. Professionals in this field report earning $35,580 per year.

• Medical coding certification: Medical coders assign standardized codes to diagnoses and procedures for treatment, billing, and insurance purposes. In just 4 months, you can train to be a medical coding professional and to start earning an average salary of $38,860 per year.  Use your basic certification as a stepping-stone for additional certifications and qualifications—with each specialization you increase your earning potential. (For more details on possible medical coding career paths, check out our infographic.)

• Pharmacy technician certification:  A 3-month online training program is all that stands between you and becoming a pharmacy technician, which is a flexible career with an average pay of $31,090 per year. Pharmacy techs help run a pharmacy smoothly and assist the pharmacist in tasks like filling prescriptions, taking orders, and cataloging inventory. Lots of businesses hire pharmacy technicians, including retail and in-hospital pharmacies, grocery stores, and online pharmacies.

• Medical administrative assistant certification:  It takes all of 3 months to become a medical administrative assistant trained in modern technologies like electronic health record software. With a projected employment growth of 29% (that’s 189,000 new jobs!) and average salaries of $33,530 per year, it’s one of the most attractive occupations in the healthcare industry.

When it comes to bang for your buck, certificate programs can be the best, and fastest, way to a new career. Be sure to do your research before deciding on a certificate program as they can be flexible or strict, on campus or online, etc.—so find a training that best fits you.

Above all, you want a program that has great employer relationships, provides graduate resources, and gives you real-world experience along with all the knowledge necessary to pass your certification exam. Some programs even provide free certification exam vouchers, such as CareerStep’s pharmacy technician program. Already working on earning a certificate in the healthcare industry? Help spread the word about the value of certificate training programs: they’re the perfect way to achieve your career goals and achieve them fast!