Healthcare has been expanding by leaps and bounds, but as with any changing industry, there have been and will be unexpected budget cuts. In July, there were nearly 6,000 healthcare jobs threatened by one of these cuts. This can be a nerve-wracking event in any healthcare professional’s career, so how do you ensure that you’re secure in your current position? Or, if currently job searching, how can you make yourself a stellar candidate? There are a number of things you can do to stay valuable and prominent in the field—and one of the most effective of these is obtaining a new certification.

“Having certifications in your specialty area is an excellent advantage,” says Jennifer Nyman, a Director of The Execu|Search Group’s Healthcare division. “For example, Case Management Nurses are more marketable if they have the Certified Case Manager (CCM) certification and Nursing Home Administrators can make themselves more valuable with the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) certification.”

These are just two of the many certifications available, however. Here are five other in-demand healthcare certifications that could make a difference in your career:

1. CCRN: This unique certification qualifies critical care nurses to work with adult, pediatric and neonatal patients. Though many believe it to stand for Critical Care Registered Nurse, it is not an abbreviation. Obtaining a CCRN affirms that your knowledge of critical care nursing is up to date and that your skills are top-notch.
2. Certified Nurse in the Operating Room (CNOR): Upon obtaining the CNOR certification, healthcare professionals can proudly add the gold standard in perioperative nursing on their resume. The certification, which is the only accredited one for the field, displays the necessary skills, knowledge, and qualifications to provide specialized nursing care to perioperative patients.
3. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS): With so much changing in healthcare as a result of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) implementation, Medical Coders are in high demand. As a result, securing a CCS certification can be extremely helpful. CCS professionals are experienced and knowledgeable in medical coding accuracy and systems as well as medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology. Hospitals, medical providers, insurance companies, researchers, and public health officials are all experiencing an increasing need for CCS professionals.
4. Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA): Likewise, these professionals are extremely helpful in EMR implementation, as Registered Health Information Administrators are experts in managing EMRs and health information, collecting and classifying data, and administering information systems. Not only are these certified professionals well-versed in the medical requirements of these records, they are also knowledgeable about the legal requirements regarding privacy of information—a growing concern with the move from paper to electronic records.
5. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT): Professionals can take their EMR expertise further with this certification. RHITs ensure quality, completeness, accuracy, and proper entry of information. They also analyze data to improve patient care, ensure smooth workflow during transition, and the like. Should you obtain this certification, you could have the potential to move up to a managerial position.

Should you decide that these certifications aren’t for you, there are many others available! Here at The Execu|Search Group, Christine Mathurin, Director of Clinical Services, offers different trainings and certifications on-site for healthcare professionals. Currently, she is orienting RNs and Paraprofessionals for the Department of Education, while also conducting an Article 28 annual training session for RNs who are working in NYC’s Bureau of Immunization Clinics.