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Best medical director certifications
Medical director certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an medical director to employers. However, not all medical director certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a medical director are Family Medicine, Certification in General Surgery, and Surgery.
Below is a list of the best medical director certifications. Obtaining an medical director certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
20 best certifications for medical directors
| Rank | Medical director certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine | ABMS |
| 2 | Certification in General Surgery | AOBS |
| 3 | Surgery | ABPS |
| 4 | Emergency Medicine | ABPS |
| 5 | Pediatrics | ABMS |
| 6 | Certification in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | ABPMR |
| 7 | Board of Certification in Family Medicine | ABPS |
| 8 | Certified Hospice Medical Director (HMD) | AAHPM |
| 9 | Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | NREMT |
| 10 | Certification in Occupational Medicine | ABPM |
| 11 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | ABMS |
| 12 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 13 | Certified in Public Health (CPH) | NBPHE |
| 14 | Clinic Instructor | CHA |
| 15 | Critical Care Medicine | ABIM |
| 16 | Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) | SOCRA |
| 17 | Physician Assistant - Certified (PA-C) | NCCPA |
| 18 | Certification in Pediatric Anesthesiology (PA) | ABA |
| 19 | Certified Medical Manager (CMM) | PAHCOM |
| 20 | Certification in Plastic Surgery | ABPS |
20 best medical director certifications
1. Family Medicine
A Family Physician is concerned with the total healthcare of the individual and the family and is trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages. The Family Physician receives a broad range of training that includes adult medicine and care of the aged, the care of children, women's health, maternity care, preventive medicine and behavioral science.
- 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 7 year(s)
2. Certification in General Surgery
The ABS considers certification in surgery to be based upon a process of education, evaluation and examination. The ABS holds undergraduate and graduate education to be of the utmost importance and requires the attestation of the residency program director that an applicant has completed an appropriate educational experience and attained a sufficiently high level of knowledge, clinical judgment and technical skills, as well as ethical standing, to be admitted to the certification process. Individuals who believe they meet the ABS' educational, professional and ethical requirements may begin the certification process by applying for admission to the Qualifying Examination (QE). The application is reviewed and, if approved, the applicant is granted admission to the examination. Upon successful completion of the QE, the applicant is considered a candidate for certification and granted the opportunity to take the Certifying Examination (CE). If the candidate is also successful at this examination, the candidate is deemed certified in surgery and becomes a diplomate of the ABS.
- 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 10 year(s)
3. Surgery
The ABPS surgery board certification exams enable successful candidates to present themselves to the public as qualified medical specialists in surgery. Completing the surgery board certification exams indicates mastery of surgery experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.
- 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 8 year(s)
4. Emergency Medicine
The ABPS's emergency medicine board certification exams enable successful candidates to present themselves to the public as qualified medical specialists in emergency medicine. Completing the emergency medicine board certification exams indicates mastery of emergency medicine experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.
- 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 8 year(s)
5. Pediatrics
A physician specializing in Pediatrics is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood.
- 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 10 year(s)
6. Certification in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
The intent of the certification process as defined by member boards of the ABMS is to provide assurance to the public that a certified medical specialist has successfully completed an accredited residency training program and an evaluation, including an examination, designed to assess the knowledge, experience, and skills requisite to the provision of high-quality patient care in that specialty. Diplomates of the ABPMR possess particular qualifications in this specialty. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also referred to as physiatry, is a medical specialty concerned with diagnosis, evaluation, and management of persons of all ages with physical and/or cognitive impairment and disability. This specialty involves the diagnosis and treatment of patients with painful or functionally limiting conditions, the management of comorbidities and coimpairments, diagnostic and therapeutic injection procedures, electrodiagnostic medicine, and an emphasis on prevention of complications of disability from secondary conditions.
- 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 10 year(s)
7. Board of Certification in Family Medicine
The ABPS's family practice board certification exams enable successful candidates to present themselves to the public as qualified medical specialists in family practice. Completing the family practice board certification exams indicates mastery of family practice experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.
- 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 8 year(s)
8. Certified Hospice Medical Director (HMD)
The Certified Hospice Medical Director examination assesses additional expertise in the unique competencies to perform the role of a hospice medical director, such as regulatory, administrative, legal, ethical competencies, and clinical skills appropriate for hospice patients.
- 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 8 year(s)
9. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- 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)
10. Certification in Occupational Medicine
Occupational medicine focuses on the health of workers, including the ability to perform work; the physical, chemical, biological, and social environments of the workplace; and the health outcomes of environmental exposures. Practitioners in this field address the promotion of health in the work place, and the prevention and management of occupational and environmental injury, illness, and disability.
- 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 10 year(s)
11. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A physician certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is often called a Physiatrist. The primary goal of the Physiatrist is to achieve maximum restoration of physical, psychological, social and vocational function through comprehensive rehabilitation. Pain management is often an important part of the role of the Physiatrist. For diagnosis and evaluation, a Physiatrist may include the techniques of electromyography to supplement the standard history, physical, x-ray and laboratory examinations. The Physiatrist has expertise in the appropriate use of therapeutic exercise, prosthetics (artificial limbs), orthotics and mechanical and electrical devices.
- 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 10 year(s)
12. 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)
13. Certified in Public Health (CPH)
The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) offers the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential as the only voluntary core credential for public health professionals. The CPH designation demonstrates that an individual graduate from a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health has mastered foundational competencies in public health. CPH professionals raise the bar and enhance the public health profession through their exemplary academic and leadership skills.
- 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)
14. Clinic Instructor
Minimum age 25; qualified to conduct CHA certification clinics and certify instructors with assistance from another CHA clinician. To become certifed as a CI, the instructor must first attain ACI certification and then assist at a certain number of CHA clinics to qualify as a CHA Clinic Instructor.
- 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 3 year(s)
15. Critical Care Medicine
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) offer triple Certification for candidates who complete a six-year (72-month) integrated, coherent program of combined training in internal medicine, emergency medicine and critical care medicine approved by both boards.
- 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 10 year(s)
16. Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP)
Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) come from a wide variety of backgrounds. CRPs may have backgrounds in nursing, pharmacy, medical technology, business administration, health record maintenance, statistics, biology, teaching, or in other areas. CRPs work in various settings such as cooperative research groups; academic and private institutions; private offices; pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies; Clinical Research Organizations (CROs); Site Management Organizations (SMOs); independent research and development organizations; or organizations involved in the management of clinical trials. These varying backgrounds and settings contribute to the unique knowledge and diverse expertise of CRPs.
- 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 3 year(s)
17. Physician Assistant - Certified (PA-C)
A PA is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. PAs practice medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers. They practice and prescribe medication in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the majority of the U.S. territories and the uniformed services.
- 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 6 year(s)
18. Certification in Pediatric Anesthesiology (PA)
The pediatric anesthesiology discipline includes the evaluation, preparation and management of pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in operative and critical care settings. In addition, this discipline also entails the evaluation and treatment of children with acute and chronic painful disorders.
- 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 7 year(s)
19. Certified Medical Manager (CMM)
Becoming a Certified Medical Manager means that you have Completed the process of certification, including submitting an application and passing a written examination that qualifies both your experience and knowledge within the ambulatory health care delivery environment. Made a commitment to the pursuit of excellence in health care office management through continual education and association within the profession of health care office management.
- 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)
20. Certification in Plastic Surgery
Maintenance of Certification (MOC-PS) is offered to all diplomates who voluntarily seek evidence of their continuing qualifications in the specialty of plastic surgery. ABPS is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties offering or developing an MOC Program. The MOC-PS Program is replacing Recertification in Plastic Surgery effective 2007.
- 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 10 year(s)
What is the best certification for a medical director?
The best medical director certification is Family Medicine. The Family Medicine is awarded by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this medical director certification:
- To become a certified Family Medicine, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 7 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for medical directors?
The most in-demand medical director certification is Family Medicine based on all active job postings. Having this medical director certification will give you access to more medical director jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a medical director career and salary?
The Certification in General Surgery certification will help you to secure a general surgeon position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A general surgeon's average salary is $351,357 whereas medical directors make an average salary of $230,317.
The most common combination of medical director certifications include: Family Medicine, Certification in General Surgery, and Surgery.
Online courses for medical directors to earn certifications
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