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Best mental health aide certifications

Mental health aide certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an mental health aide to employers. However, not all mental health aide certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a mental health aide are Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, and Advanced First Aid & CPR.

Below is a list of the best mental health aide certifications. Obtaining an mental health aide certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

5 best certifications for mental health aides

RankMental health aide certificationOrganization
1Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)American Red ...
2Medical AssistantASPT
3Advanced First Aid & CPRNSC
4First Aid CertificationAmerican Red ...
5Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)NHA

5 best mental health aide certifications

1. 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.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying website
Certified Nurse Assistant

2. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying organization
American Society of Phlebotomy...

3. Advanced First Aid & CPR

Certification details
  • 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 1 year(s)
Certifying website
Advanced First Aid &...
Certifying organization
National Safety Council
Course that help you to prepare for certification
First Aid & CPR - An in Depth Guide to CPR, AED and Choking
udemy
4.8
(452)

4. First Aid Certification

Designed for individuals with a duty to respond to emergencies, this program combines discussions, video and hands-on training. Real-life rescue scenarios reinforce decision-making skills. Free quarterly refreshers. Course covers how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children and infants until more advanced medical personnel take over.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
First Aid Certification
Course that help you to prepare for certification
First Aid
udemy
4.3
(1,797)

5. 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.

Certification details
  • 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 mental health aide?

The best mental health aide certification is Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). The Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is awarded by the American Red Cross. 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 mental health aide certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for mental health aides?

The most in-demand mental health aide certification is Certified Nurse Assistant based on all active job postings. Having this mental health aide certification will give you access to more mental health aide jobs with higher salaries.

Best certifications

The most common combination of mental health aide certifications include: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, and Advanced First Aid & CPR.

Online courses for mental health aides to earn certifications

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This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...

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