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Best direct support associate certifications
Direct support associate certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an direct support associate to employers. However, not all direct support associate certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a direct support associate are Medical Assistant, Medication Aide Certification (MACE), and Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med).
Below is a list of the best direct support associate certifications. Obtaining an direct support associate certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
11 best certifications for direct support associates
| Rank | Direct support associate certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 2 | Medication Aide Certification (MACE) | NCSBN |
| 3 | Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med) | CSA Group |
| 4 | Direct Support Professional- Certified (DSP-C) | NADSP |
| 5 | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | NHA |
| 6 | Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) | American Red ... |
| 7 | HIPAA Professional (HIPAAP) | HIAA |
| 8 | Basic Life Support (BLS) | AHA |
| 9 | Patient Care Technician | APA |
| 10 | AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) | HANCB |
| 11 | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) | NHA |
11 best direct support associate certifications
1. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
2. Medication Aide Certification (MACE)
The Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) is a national medication aide certification examination administered to nurse aides who choose to receive additional training to become certified medication aides. NCSBN develops the MACE examination and administers the exam with the contractual assistance of Pearson VUE. Once certified, these medication aides serve an important role in hospitals and long-term care facilities by helping distribute medications and monitoring for adverse reactions.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med)
Certifies minimum performance criteria for personnel maintaining medical gas pipeline systems in hospitals and health care facilities.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required?
4. Direct Support Professional- Certified (DSP-C)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
5. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS)
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) uses a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills that drive better patient outcomes. Consistent with AHA Guidelines for CPR/ECC. Covers breathing and cardiac emergencies - including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway - for adult, child, and infant patients. Free, two-year digital "Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers" certificate upon course completion..
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
7. HIPAA Professional (HIPAAP)
The Center's HIPAAP designation imparts the knowledge you'll need to attain the goal of becoming a HIPAA privacy officer-focusing in on the administrative simplification provisions, particularly the policies and procedures that providers and organizations need in place to comply with privacy and security standards. This program will provide you with a solid grounding in HIPAA terminology, as well as the implications of HIPAA for the insurance industry.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
8. Basic Life Support (BLS)
The Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Classroom Course is designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
9. Patient Care Technician
1. Completion of an Approved Patient Care Technician Program 2. Minimum of 80 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Phlebotomy 4. Must Be Certified Nursing Assistant 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
10. AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN)
In 1996, ANAC supported the creation of a separate corporation, the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB). The purpose of the new entity was to develop and administer an HIV nursing certification examination.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
11. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a direct support associate?
The best direct support associate certification is Medical Assistant. The Medical Assistant is awarded by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this direct support associate certification:
- To become a certified Medical Assistant, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What certifications can impact a direct support associate career and salary?
The Medical Assistant certification will help you to secure a medical assistant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A medical assistant's average salary is $32,314 whereas direct support associates make an average salary of $29,934.
The most common combination of direct support associate certifications include: Medical Assistant, Medication Aide Certification (MACE), and Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med).
Online courses for direct support associates to earn certifications
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