A career in the healthcare industry is among the most rewarding and lucrative. Because public health is concerned, companies and organizations that hire healthcare administrators often have high standards. With this in mind, it is essential for motivated employees to earn the best certifications for healthcare administrators to acquire new skills and level up their credentials.
Read on to learn what valuable certifications to obtain as well as the eligibility requirements for healthcare administrator certifications. We’ll also share the benefits of becoming a certified healthcare administrator as well as a list of some free certification courses in this field.
What Is a Healthcare Administrator Certification?
Professional certifications are credentials that demonstrate skills, experience, knowledge, and competencies. These in particular are provided by healthcare organizations for professionals who want to level up their careers. Students must pass the certification exams and meet the eligibility requirements which include work experience and educational attainment.
How Much Can You Earn With a Healthcare Administrator Certification?
According to PayScale, the average annual salary of a healthcare administrator is $73,119. This may vary based on years of experience. Those with one to four years of experience can earn an average salary of $65,047. Healthcare administrators with five to nine years of work experience can earn an average annual wage of $79,927.
Why Is Healthcare Administrator Certification Important?
Certifications are important to healthcare professionals because they show employees are qualified and credible to do the job. Certifications can help those who hold them get their desired jobs in the healthcare industry. As we continue in this section, we will dive deeper into the importance of getting healthcare administrator certifications.
Certifications Can Increase Your Credibility and Competencies
The best certifications for healthcare administrators demonstrate your competencies in the healthcare field. It shows your healthcare experience because certifications require intensive work experience before medical professionals are eligible to take the exam.
Certifications Prove That You Are Up-to-date With Healthcare Standards
Certified healthcare administrators follow the healthcare standards and best practices. This leaves a good impression on employers when they apply for jobs in the healthcare administration field. Healthcare workers must be updated with the protocols and standards in this field as they play a critical role in society.
Certifications Offer Great Career Opportunities
The level of education is important in a job application. However, employers also require professional experience in healthcare operations. Certifications prove that you have the experience and skills they are looking for. It is also a great opportunity to join the healthcare organizations which can help you grow your network and find jobs in several healthcare companies that are part of the organization.
Best Certifications for Healthcare Administrators at a Glance
| Certification | Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) | $225 | Candidates must be a member of ACHE, hold an advanced degree, and presently work in healthcare management with five years of experience in this field |
| Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) | SCCE or HCCA member: $275 Non-member: $375 |
Candidates must be a compliance professional |
| Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) | AHA members:$275 Non-members: $425 |
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, at least five years of work experience in the field, and 3,000 hours of experience in risk management within the past three years. |
| Certified Medical Manager (CMM) | Physician admin members: $385 Non-members: $770 |
Candidates must have at least two years of experience in healthcare and at least 12 post-secondary education credits in healthcare or business. |
| Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) | HIMSS Organizational Member: $449 HIMSS member, corporate member, or student member: $499 Non-member: $599 |
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree must have at least five years of experience in information and management systems which include three years in a healthcare setting while candidates with a graduate degree must have at least three years of experience in information and management systems which include two years in a healthcare setting |
| Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) | NAHQ members: $423 Non-members: $529 |
Candidates must pass the certification exam |
| Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (cHAP) | AHCAP members: $150 Non-members: $350 |
Candidates must meet the professional, education, and elective requirements given by AHCAP in a traditional program or fast track. |
| Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP) | $199 | Candidates must be a member of National AAHAM and have at least two years of experience in healthcare or a degree from an accreditated college. |
| Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) | AHIMA members: $229 Non-members:$299 |
Candidates should have at least one of the following: A bachelor’s degree or higher in a health information management program, or hold an RHIT certification. |
| Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE) | $299 | Candidates must be a member of the National AAHAM with at least four years of experience in healthcare. Those who have a degree from accredited schools should have at least two years of experience. |
Top Healthcare Administrator Certifications: A Closer Look
Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)
This certification program provided by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) tests knowledge in healthcare management using the Healthcare Executive Competencies Assessment Tool. Certification is intended for those who want to be leaders in healthcare management. ACHE also offers prep materials to help prepare for the exam.
Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)
CHC is one of the best certifications for healthcare administrators offered by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA). Students can choose from two exam formats that include computer-based (CBT) or paper and pencil. A practice exam is offered to those who choose the CBT format. This certification must be renewed every two years.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)
CPHRM offered by American Hospital Association (AHA) is intended for healthcare risk management professionals. The exam covers essential skills in risk management such as patient safety, risk financing, patient care, and healthcare operations. Web tests and the ASHRM CPHRM Exam Preparation Guide help prepare for the exam. There is no online option.
Certified Medical Manager (CMM)
CMM, one of the best certifications for healthcare administrators, is administered by the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM). The examination is based on the nine domains of medical administration which include revenue management, clinical performance reporting, and patient clinical education.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)
CPHIMS is one of the healthcare administrator certifications offered by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). This exam evaluates skills in healthcare IT. HIMSS provides prep materials like books, webinars, and courses. The CPHIMS Candidate Handbook also contains an explanation of the exam content.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) offers this certification that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. This exam evaluates skills in healthcare quality and safety practices. CPHQ prep products and the CPHQ content outline provide the necessary information about the exam.
Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (CHAP)
This is one of the best certifications for healthcare administrators offered by the Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals (AHCAP). The examination validates administrative experience in healthcare governance, software, healthcare regulations, grammar, and more. This certification must be renewed every three years.
Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP)
CRCP is offered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) to those who want to pursue an executive level of certification. This is an online exam that covers patient access, billing, and revenue cycle management, and demonstrates competency as a revenue cycle manager. The exam fee includes the CRCP study outline.
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
RHIA is one of the healthcare administrator certifications provided by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This certification works in different healthcare settings. Examinees will have four hours to finish the test which includes data analytics, revenue management, informatics, and more. AHIMA also offers an RHIA Exam Prep book.
Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE)
This is another certification from AAHAM for healthcare administrators. Candidates should complete the exam within eight hours. The CRCE study outline is covered in the exam fee and the CRCE Exam Study Manual can help with exam preparation. Students can also take the practice exams to determine the area to focus on while studying.
Free Healthcare Administrator Certifications Worth Your Time
- Planning for Health and Safety. This is an online self-paced course that offers certificates after completion. In this course, students learn how to write health and safety procedures, the process of controlling risks, and how to identify hazards and inform employees. This course is intended for business owners and employers.
- First Aid. This free online course by Oxford Home Study Centre will teach some basic first-aide topics such as first-aide kits, first-aid supplies, fire safety, and preventive measures at the workplace.
- Certificate in Diet and Nutrition. Those who want to learn basic nutrition, balanced diets, and proper weight-loss methods may consider this online, self-paced course that offers certificates for completing the program.
Are Healthcare Administrator Certifications Worth It?
Yes, healthcare administrator certifications are worth it. Healthcare administrator certifications will help healthcare professionals find the right career path. Earning certifications will allow you to assess your skills and knowledge in this field. Many job opportunities are also waiting for certified healthcare administrators since most employers prefer applicants with credibility and high qualifications.
Best Certifications for Healthcare Administrators FAQ
Some of the most common skills required for healthcare administrators are an understanding of best practices, organizational skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, ability to work under pressure, and communication skills. Proper candidates should also possess management skills, technology skills, and legal knowledge, and be open to professional development.
Yes, there is a positive job outlook for healthcare administrators. The demand for healthcare services and professionals is projected to increase by 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
To apply for a certification for healthcare administrators, go to the official website of the certificate provider you want to apply to. Carefully read the qualifications which may include eligibility requirements, experience requirements, educational attainment, and admission requirements. Several professional organizations only accept applicants who are members.
Many career opportunities are available for healthcare administrators. Some of these are clinical managers, health information technology specialists, health insurance managers, nursing home administrators, assistant administrators, and pharmaceutical project managers. You can look for job openings at several job sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
