FIVE TECH CERTIFICATIONS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS

Health Information Professionals Tech Certifications

• Medical Administrative Specialist
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Medical Technologist
• Certified Laboratory Consultant
• Allied Health Instructor

Over the last few years, health informatics has played an important role in the reform of America's healthcare system. The field involves the acquisition, storage, retrieval and use of healthcare-related information; in particular, it is concerned with patient information, and the ability of multiple healthcare providers to access a patient's information with the greatest possible efficiency. The general idea is to foster legitimate use of a patient's information, while simultaneously making illegitimate access more difficult to acquire. Through the acquiring of tech certifications for health information professionals, a professional combines the development of their practical skills with the accreditation of an authoritative agency. Certifications raise trust in a professional's abilities, while simultaneously allowing new career opportunities.

Here are five tech certifications for health information professionals:

Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS Certification)

The medical administrative specialist works within a hospital, clinical or other healthcare setting. This highly skilled individual is specifically trained in the handling of patient information and healthcare records. They facilitate the appropriate communication of information between a healthcare provider and an insurance agency, and they process billing information. Generally speaking, they are responsible for the coordination of healthcare information-related processes within a medical or other healthcare office: all patient-related information passes through the medical administrative specialist.

Phlebotomy Technician (PT Certification)

Phlebotomy involves the drawing of a patient's blood for testing, as well as its appropriate labeling, and the transport of samples to a laboratory where testing will be conducted. While it was once folded into other laboratory certifications, the practice of phlebotomy involves such sensitive and important information that it has since become its own advanced professional certification. Not only is the patient's personal medical information involved in the collection, transport and processing of a sample, but their tissue itself must also be handled and secured appropriately, as a mix-up in a laboratory can result in dire medical and legal consequences.

Medical Technologist (MT Certification)

Medical technologists are sometimes known as laboratory, or medical laboratory technologists. They perform complex and sensitive tests on blood and other bodily fluids and tissues. They work with extremely sensitive equipment, either in hospitals or independent laboratory facilities, and have access to confidential patient information. They must manage the flow of information appropriately in either direction, while ensuring that test results are completed accurately and efficiently.

Certified Laboratory Consultant (CLC Certification)

The certified laboratory consultant is an independently operating laboratory professional, someone who has an in-depth understanding of how hospital and other medical laboratories work. They provide guidance in the implemenetation of new testing procedures, and help to streamline the flow of information into and out of the lab, without sacrificing patient confidentiality. There are generalist CLC professionals, as well as individuals operating within a much more specialized capacity (such as focusing their expertise on laboratories that handle cancer testing, or which investigate the spread of infectious diseases).

Allied Health Instructor (AHI Certification)

An allied health instructor requires up-to-date education in healthcare managemenet or healthcare administration, as well as a significant amount of technical expertise, all of which must be relevant to current training programs. Typically, their qualifications cannot be more than 5 years old at the point where they are pursuing certification, and several letters of recommendation will be required prior to their being accepted for the exam. An allied health instructor is a highly accredited healthcare administration and information professional, working to ensure the propagation of efficient and secure policies within the field of healthcare informatics.

By acquiring the right tech certifications, such as those offered through the American Medical Technologists professional association, health information professionals can stay up to date on the latest information within their fields. They also acquire that added degree of professional accreditation in their trustworthiness, concerning their access to confidential patient information, and in their abilities.
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