The healthcare landscape only grows more competitive. When you apply for a role, you are competing with hundreds (if not thousands) of other candidates with similar qualifications. As much as possible, the modern HCP has to do everything in their power to stand out. One of the best ways to accomplish this is with additional certifications. These signify that you have skills and abilities that some of your competitors may not have. Additionally, it is a testament to your investment in continual improvement and growth as a healthcare professional, which all healthcare facilities value greatly. Most of these certifications also provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which makes renewing your HCP certification far easier.
You can go to a community college, vocational school, or healthcare facility to take these certification courses. Nowadays, however, there are readily available and accredited online training programs at an HCP’s disposal. These training links are quicker, more convenient, and often provide a flexible schedule setup. For healthcare providers who are often too busy to take physical detours, this kind of convenience is a godsend. To get you started, we have listed 5 affordable and accessible online certification programs.
Domestic Violence: Recognizing and Preventing
Length: 1 Hour
Price: $20
Domestic violence is one of the most prevalent yet hard-to-discuss public health concerns in the entire world. Abuse from a partner or family member can lead to a variety of injuries, mental trauma, and potentially grievous harm if the situation escalates. At the same time, cases can end up underreported because domestic abuse victims fear for their safety, do not internalize their experiences as abuse, or want to “protect” their loved ones from potential repercussions. This course trains HCPs to recognize the physical and mental signs of domestic abuse at different stages. Whether it is reporting the case, or finding ways to prevent it altogether, HCPs will be trained on how to address these issues sensitively. It is a sensitive topic, but HCPs are uniquely equipped to recognize and tackle domestic violence cases. Recognized by the California Board of Nursing, graduates will receive 1 contact hour and certification, upon completion of the course.
Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia
Length: 2 Hours (Includes 2 Pharmacology Hours)
Price: $39.00 (for a 1-year subscription to the Nursing CE course library)
Accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, this course prepares HCPs of all levels to deal with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Through two different mental conditions, both can cripple a patient’s basic functions, and require HCPs to account for their special needs and disabilities. The course educates students on the key differences between the two, and trains them to recognize the signs and symptoms of each condition, at each stage of progression (early, middle, and late.) Students will also be informed on the various non-drug and drug interventions for patients dealing with reversible dementia, along with their benefits and potential drawbacks. Finally, HCPs will be taught how to empathize with and form connections with patients undergoing these challenging and overwhelming challenges. Once you are done with the course, you need to get at least 80% on the final exam and complete a course evaluation and self-reflection practice. Once you have completed this, you can avail of your certification of completion.
HIPAA Compliance Training & Online Certification
Length: 1.5 Hours
Price: Varies
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was established to protect the privacy and information of patients, in a healthcare setting. Breaking HIPAA could lead to costly and devastating consequences for HCPS and facilities alike. As a result, facilities must train HCPs on all levels on how to comply with HIPAA at all times. The American Health Training HIPAA program provides comprehensive HIPAA lessons online, in a 1.5-hour package. It dissects and explains HIPAA and HIPAA compliance in a digestible and easy-to-understand manner. Users can learn through highly interactive video lectures and can enjoy convenient access to their material at any time. There are no limits on how many times you can retake the final test or how long you will take to finish the course material. Upon completion, you can download/print your HIPAA certification, which can be presented to and scanned by your employers.
Online BLS Certification & Renewal
Length: 1-4 hours
Price: $95.00
The California ALCS Training Institute offers fully online and legitimate Basic Life Support certification for California-based nurses. The curriculum is thoroughly crafted and reviewed in compliance with American Heart Association rules and guidelines. Students can stop and start their lectures at their leisure, and can enjoy unlimited access to BLS resources for at least two years, as well as practice tests. At the very end of the course, students will have to answer a 30-question final exam that covers all the material covered thus far. Upon completion, you will receive both BLS certification as well as 4 Continuing Education Units. The service can even provide a reminder, for when you have to renew your BLS certification. If you are not satisfied with the training program, the Training Institute thankfully provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
LGBTQ Sensitivity Training for Long Term Care Professionals (Skilled Nursing and Congregate Living)
Length: 1 hour
Price: $18.00
More likely than not, you will run into patients or even coworkers who identify as LGBTQ+. Queer individuals in healthcare face problems, expectations, and prejudices that they may not be aware of if they identify as straight. This 1-hour sensitivity training program will teach you how to interact with LGBTQ+ patients sensitively and thoughtfully. Among other things, it will teach you why it is important to learn about the LGBTQ+ community, the kind of struggles that the community faces daily, as well as the various laws and regulations concerning interactions with LGBTQ+ patients. From there, you will learn how to create a positive and welcoming environment for queer patients, and how you can materially improve their quality of life.
The course is good for 1 CEU per contact hour, for RNs, and LVNs/LPNs. Unfortunately, it will not be valid for CNAs. You can only avail of the Continuing Education Unit if specified beforehand. Because of California regulations, you need to complete the course in its entirety to avail of course credit. You must achieve 80% on the final exam to pass the course, but the final test can be taken as many times as needed. You can download and print your certificate of competition at any time within one year of enrollment.
