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Best medical social worker certifications
The best certifications for a medical social worker are Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW), Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW), and Medical Assistant.
Medical social worker certifications demonstrate your competency as a medical social worker to employers. However, not all medical social worker certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best medical social worker certifications. Obtaining a medical social worker certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
11 best certifications for medical social workers
| Rank | Medical social worker certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
| 2 | Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW) | NASW |
| 3 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 4 | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | American Red ... |
| 5 | Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) | NASW |
| 6 | Basic Life Support (BLS) | AHA |
| 7 | Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) | National Boar... |
| 8 | Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) | NASW |
| 9 | National Clinical Supervision Endorsement (NCSE) | NAADAC |
| 10 | Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW) | NASW |
| 11 | Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker (CHP-SW) | NASW |
11 best medical social worker certifications
1. Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW)
Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to the law and legal system, both criminal and civil. Forensic social workers help children and families involved in custody issues, including but not limited to separation, divorce, neglect, and the termination of parental rights. The social workers also deal with the implications of child and spouse abuse. Forensic social workers may work in a number of settings, including juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment programs.
- 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? No
2. Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW)
The Academy of Certified Social Workers was established in 1960 and remains the most widely recognized and respected social work credential. Social workers who hold the ACSW are qualified providers of social services. Social workers who hold the ACSW have: A current NASW membership; A master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); Documented two years of postgraduate social work employment and professional supervision by an MSW credentialed supervisor; Provided professional evaluations that validate their knowledge, understanding, and application of social work principles and values from an MSW supervisor and two social work colleagues; Verified 20 hours of relevant continuing education; and Agreed to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education, and are subject to the NASW adjudication process. NASW professional credentials and specialty certifications provide recognition to those who have met national standards for higher levels of experience and knowledge, and are not a substitute for required state licenses or certifications.
- 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)
3. 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)
4. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.
- 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?
5. Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS)
The Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) works with individuals, groups and families providing case management, conflict mediation and resolution, crisis intervention, group work, community organizing, advocacy, consultation, effective educational stratifies, and documentation. They utilize theories of human behavior and development, and methods of social work practice to support students within public and private school settings. C-SSWS have core knowledge and skills in the areas of: social work ethics; program development and management skills; social work modalities and procedures; characteristics of student populations; multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary activities; and public education and federal and state laws
- 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 (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)
7. Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI)
The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.
- 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 5 year(s)
8. Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW)
The Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) represents the highest level of expertise and excellence for clinical social workers. DCSW credentialed social workers are leaders in the area of clinical social work and hold employment positions in a range of practice settings. Globally recognized and demanded, the DCSW demonstrates that you have exceptional experience, education, competency and dedication to the social work profession.
- 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)
9. National Clinical Supervision Endorsement (NCSE)
While clinical supervision has long been regarded as a significant part of the counseling profession, the importance of effective clinical supervision in the addiction treatment process has gained increased attention over the past years. Clinical Supervision is an intervention or training that is provided by a more qualified addiction professional to a less experienced person in the addiction profession.
- 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)
10. Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW)
A master's level social worker in hospice and palliative care provides a professional continuum of services that address the psychosocial needs of patients and families affected by serious and life limiting illness in order to maintain, or improve, their optimal quality of life. Social work activities are focused on the bio-psychosocial components of health and mental health from a strengths-based perspective, and intervention is based on an evolving plan of care that developed in the context of, and contributes to the interdisciplinary team's comprehensive plan of care. To that end, the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW) engages in direct service to patients and their families; leadership activities within organizations and communities; education; resource development; advocacy; policy initiatives and caregiver
- 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)
11. Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker (CHP-SW)
A bachelor's level social worker in hospice and palliative care can be defined as the discipline that provides a professional continuum of services that address the psychosocial needs of patients and families affected by serious and life limiting illness in order to maintain, or improve, their optimal quality of life. Social work activities are focused on the bio-psychosocial components of health and mental health from a strengths-based perspective, and intervention is based on an evolving plan of care that developed in the context of, and contributes to the interdisciplinary team's comprehensive plan of care.
- 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 medical social worker?
The best medical social worker certification is Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW). The Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) is awarded by the American College of Forensic Examiners. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this medical social worker certification:
- To become a certified Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for medical social workers?
The most in-demand medical social worker certification is Basic Life Support based on all active job postings. Having this medical social worker certification will give you access to more medical social worker jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of medical social worker certifications include: Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW), Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW), and Medical Assistant.
Online courses for medical social workers to earn certifications
1. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners
In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...
2. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...
3. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
4. Speak Medical Spanish to Your Patients and Clients
Spanish essentials for healthcare; program teaches correct pronunciation, pain management and medication, among others...
5. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
6. Population Health: Syndemics
Do you wish to contribute to breaking cycles of ill-health in disadvantaged populations? And explore co-occurrence of diseases, such as substance abuse, infectious and chronic disease, and the relation with social factors (disparities)? Are you disappointed in the poor effectiveness of interventions for combined social and medical problems? Then this syndemics course might provide you with some answers. In medicine, diseases are generally approached as distinct entities, in isolation from other...
7. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
8. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
9. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
10. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: (1) Identify the signs and symptoms associated with a patient in shock, to describe the major categories of shock, to assess a patient with signs of shock and formulate a plan for treatment to stabilize the patient for transport, (2) Identify a patient in cardiac arrest and to describe the components of high performance CPR...
11. Understanding Medications and Therapeutics
Helping you build the best foundation to truly understand medications and develop clinical reasoning skills...
12. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
13. The Influence of Social Context on Health
Why are some groups healthier than others, and how do these differences emerge and persist over the life course? How do social policies (e.g., housing, transportation, employment) relate to health and health inequalities? Why are there health disparities even in countries that have free universal health care? This course will address conceptual models for understanding health disparities in the US and internationally, how population science identifies the main sources of these disparities, and...
14. COVID-19 Training for Healthcare Workers
COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across the globe and all providers must be prepared to recognize, stabilize and treat patients with novel coronavirus infection. Following completion of this short course physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will have a unified, evidenced-based approach to saving the lives of patients with COVID-19, including those who are critically ill. Learning modules are broken into short videos presented in a richly illustrated and compelling manner. The...
15. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding
Volume One: Medical Hematology...
16. Introduction to Medical Imaging
Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...
17. Medical Terminology
This specialization is intended for anybody that is interested in developing skills in medical language or preparing for further studies in the medical field. Learners will be able to identify common prefixes, suffixes, roots and abbreviations so they can recognize most medical terms used by medical professionals. Learners will also have an understanding of the structure of an electronic health record and extract vital information from it. Moreover, learners will gain basic knowledge of the...
18. HI-FIVE: Health Informatics For Innovation, Value & Enrichment (Social/Peer Perspective)
HI-FIVE (Health Informatics For Innovation, Value & Enrichment) Training is an approximately 10-hour online course designed by Columbia University in 2016, with sponsorship from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The training is role-based and uses case scenarios. No additional hardware or software are required for this course. Our nation’s healthcare system is changing at a rapid pace. Transformative health care delivery programs depend heavily on...
19. Social Media for Healthcare Providers
Social media and HIPPA compliance training for covered entities that transmit health information...
20. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...