National Healthcareer Association
 | This article contains promotional content. (January 2015) |
| Industry | Healthcare |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | , United States[1] |
| Services | Professional certification |
| Parent | Ascend Learning[2] |
| Website | nhanow |
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a national professional certification agency for healthcare workers in the United States.[3] Granting credentials in more than 8 allied health specialties, it is an organizational member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA).[4] The National Healthcareer Association partners with educational institutions nationwide with over 350,000 certified individuals. It is one of the largest certification and continuing education providers.[5] The National Healthcareer Association works with health training institutions, hospitals, unions, and the US Defense Department through DANTES; it has approved over 2400 training/testing locations throughout the US and in several countries. These institutions offer allied health programs and use the national certification as their "End Of Program Credential." Healthcare professional certification is different from a license such as a Registered Nurse, or a licensed practical nurse. Although certification is not state mandated and/or regulated in all 50 states, most employers and industry organizations prefer their employees to be certified.[6]
Certified occupations
Certified technicians work alongside licensed nurses and/or doctors. These positions would include individuals working as a phlebotomist, EKG technician, clinical medical assistant, patient care technicians, medical laboratory assistants, medical transcriptionists, medical administrative assistants, billing and coding specialists, mental health technicians, and surgical/operating room technicians. Many hospitals, private practices, and organizations throughout the country require national certification as a competence standard. [5] The National Healthcareer Association is a part of the National Organization for Competency Assurance.[7][8] The National Healthcareer Association helps set performance ethics standards among health care professionals, establish education requirements, and set guidelines for national certifications.[5]
Continuing education requirements
Because of changes and updates in the healthcare industry, certified technicians are required to maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits throughout the year, or the duration of their certificate's expiration date. These continuing education credits or units (CEUs) can be earned through the certification agency or through their employer and then verified by the National Healthcareer Association. Continuing education ensures competency standards throughout the duration of employment of the certified individual, and keeps them aware of changes and new regulations in the allied healthcare industry.
Certification exams
The National Healthcareer Association writes, develops and publishes the certification exams for allied health professions: medical assistant, phlebotomy, EKG, pharmacy technician, medical billing and coding, administrative medical assistants, patient care technician and electronic health records.
Partnerships
The State of New Jersey's program was the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) Program. It was an accelerated, three-week program for UH Nursing staff and shows the coordination that exists between the National Healthcareer Association and state and regional associations. The training and certification were sponsored by UMDNJ's Career Training and Advancement Center (CTAC), coordinated by the Department of Human Resources and grant-funded by the Bank of America.[9] CTAC and nursing leadership at the University Hospital worked closely with the National Healthcareer Association to develop a comprehensive program specific to the needs of the university. The CPCT model advanced the skills and competencies of incumbent Nursing Assistants in entry level positions within the nursing career ladder while instituting a new, team-based, patient care model. The new skills developed were phlebotomy, EKG/ECG, basic patient care and medical assisting skills.[9]
The United States Department of Defense's agency, Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), offers the National Healthcareer Association's (NHA) certification exams at all 520 DANTES test sites worldwide. The National Healthcareer Association's partnership with DANTES offered new opportunities to the thousands of military trainees as well as experienced medical personnel stationed around the world.[10][11]
Global expansion
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the largest Allied Health Certification Agency in the USA and the National Lutheran Health and Medical Board (NLHMB), Chennai, India, which is a leading NGO and sponsor of Two Universities have come together to offer the US employment National Healthcareer Association Certificate Examiion in India. [12]
Award nominations
The National Healthcareer Association was a finalist at the Stevie Awards for the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program in 2008.[13] Jon S. Brandt was named one of the 25 most influential people in the career college sector by Career College Central Magazine in March 2008.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "Contact Us". National Healthcareer Association. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "NHA". Ascend Learning. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Nursing and Allied Health Patient Care Assistant Master Syllabus Spring 2007" (PDF). South Texas College, Academic Affairs. South Texas College. 25 April 2007. p. 2.
Certification Agency: National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a nationally approved and recognized certifying organization qualified to offer Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) Examination
- ^ Oh Henry's Career Center (OHCC)[dead link]
- ^ a b c "RCC Medical Office Assistant Program Earns NHA Certification". RCC News. Randolph Community College. 10 June 2003. Archived from the original on 23 February 2005.
- ^ "Medical Assistants". Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. 17 December 2009. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012.
- ^ Martin, Michael C. (27 September 2000). "Testimony of Michael C. Martin President National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) Before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Benefits Regarding Veterans' Employment: Credentialing (Licensure, Certification, Accreditation, and Apprenticeship) Requirements". House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 5 May 2011.
- ^ "NOCA Organizational Members". National Organization of Competency Assurance. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009.
- ^ a b "Human Resources: ON THE JOB...online". University of Medicine & Denistry of New Jersey. May 2008. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013.
- ^ "DANTES Information Bulletin, Number 379" (PDF). DANTES. United States Department of Defense. July 2008. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011.
- ^ Simpson, Tina (20 January 2010). "National Healthcareer Association (NHA)" (PDF). DANTES. United States Department of Defense. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011.
- ^ Phlebotomy
- ^ Stevie Award Nominees 2008