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Why National Healthcareer Association Certifications Are Important

Do you need a healthcare training program that provides you with marketable hands-on skills, classroom instruction, and an externship and prepares you for industry-specific certification* exams? If this sounds like you, East Ohio College has healthcare programs for you!

Continue reading to learn why attending a healthcare training program that prepares you to sit for National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification* exams should be your priority!

What is the National Healthcareer Association?

The National Healthcareer Association is a nationally recognized independent certification agency granting allied healthcare professionals certifications since 1989. The NHA has awarded over one million certifications to professionals in the following eight industries:

  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
  • EKG Technician
  • Electronic Health Records Specialist
  • Billing and Coding Specialist
  • Patient Care Technician

The National Healthcareer Association’s certification exams prove that the candidate’s skills have met nationally recognized standards for each healthcare industry. The National Commission accredits the NHA’s exams for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Therefore, it has been designed to test candidates’ competence in their certifying field. Because the NHA’s certification exams demonstrate a candidate’s competence in applying their knowledge and skills, 75-93% of employers either require or recommend potential employees in certain allied healthcare fields to obtain an NHA certification, according to an industry and outlook trends blog from NHA.

Why are NHA certifications important?

Employers widely recognize NHA certifications, so obtaining them along with a degree can show employers that you not only possess the necessary skills and knowledge but can also apply them situationally in the workplace. In addition, earning a certification for your specific industry can also give you a leg-up in the job hunt process compared to your peers who may have yet to earn a certification. 

An industry certification combined with your degree from East Ohio College could provide you with confidence, career opportunities, financial stability, and job security.

How can you prepare for NHA certification exams?

There are many ways to prepare to sit for your certification exam, both during your time as an East Ohio College student and independently. Your education experience at East Ohio has been designed to provide you with classroom instruction, hands-on training, and an externship experience to prepare you to sit for your industry certification* exam and enter the workforce upon graduation.

The National Healthcareer Association also offers study tactics to help you prepare for the exam, including online practice exams and printable study guides. In addition, students who would like extra practice before their exam can download the NHA Mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play to practice material on flashcards and track their content mastery. 

How does East Ohio College put you ahead?

East Ohio College’s process will guide students during their educational journey. This process allows students to plan their education, learn valuable skills, gain hands-on experience, then apply their education to a real-world environment during clinical experiences and an externship with a local healthcare facility. 

East Ohio students will also work closely with our career management team to assist with placement in an externship, career preparation, academic and personal support, and more. As a result, East Ohio College and OVCT alums have continued access to the career management department and the ability to return to East Ohio for refresher courses as their industry evolves at no extra tuition cost to them.

East Ohio College currently offers hybrid-online healthcare training programs with virtual classroom instruction and hands-on clinicals at the East Ohio campus in East Liverpool, Ohio. Current healthcare program offerings include Clinical Medical Assistant, Medical Office Administration, Medical Coding, and Dental Assisting. Students in these programs can expect to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be prepared to sit for their certification exam. 

Get started on your career journey today!

Take the first step in your journey to a career in healthcare by attending one of East Ohio College’s accelerated programs! 

Contact the East Ohio admissions team by calling 833-EASTOHIO or Requesting Information to get started.