Online certifications are an excellent way to get started if you’re interested in a career within healthcare. They are flexible, inexpensive and can give rise to well-paying jobs relatively quickly. Below are five popular paths, along with their average salaries, their job outlooks, and links to useful resources.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

• Pay: The average CNA makes $30,000–$36,000 per year, depending on where they live and what they have experience doing (BLS. gov).
• Job Outlook: Employment of CNAs is expected to increase 5% by 2031, as the older population will need more long-term care.
• Why It’s Easy: CNA programs typically last 4–12 weeks. Theory is contained to the online portion, while in-person clinical training preps you for hands-on care. CNAs help with day-to-day tasks such as bathing, eating and moving around.

Medical Office Assistant

• Pay: Medical office assistants make between $37,000–$45,000 per year on average (Salary. com).
• Job Outlook: This job is projected to grow 8% by 2031, as service demand for administrative support in healthcare increases (BLS. gov).
• Why It’s Easy: The coursework primarily covers administrative functions, such as scheduling, billing and record management. It’s fully online and self-paced, and the bulk of programs can be accomplished in 2–6 months. No clinical hours required, which is helpful for those who do not want to be in a clinical / patient-facing setting and would rather work in an office.

Phlebotomy Technician

• Pay: Phlebotomists earn an average of $37,000 a year but can earn even more at hospitals or specialty clinics (BLS. gov).
• Job Outlook: Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 10 percent by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
• Why It’s Accessible: Many programs offer a hybrid of online classes and short, in-person clinical training to practice drawing blood. Courses are generally 4–6 weeks in length so it is a quick route into the healthcare field.

Home Health Aide (HHA)

• Pay: The average salary of Home Health Aides is $29,000 (BLS. gov).
• Job Outlook: HHAs are estimated to grow by 25% through 2031 due to the increasing population of senior citizens who require in-home care services.
• Why It’s Simple: HHA programs are simple and focus on basic caregiving skills such as patient hygiene, safety and nutrition. Training can take a few weeks, and many employers offer on-the-job training.

BLS (Basic Life Support) Certification

• Pay: This certification does not result in a specific job, but it is required for positions such as a CNA, EMT, or nurse.
• Job Outlook: Many healthcare positions will continue to require BLS certification as the need for competent healthcare workers increases. gov).
• Why It’s Simple: You can earn BLS certification in one day by taking online courses and practice rounds. It teaches basic CPR and first-aid skills and lays the foundation for more advanced certifications.

 

How to Select Your Ideal Certification

The easiest certification for you, as always, will depend on your career aspirations and the time you have available:

• CNA or HHA if you are interested in direct patient care.
• Medical Office Assistant — if you want to work in an office.
• Phlebotomy Technician if you enjoy technical skills.
• Overview of BLS, which could be a short slide show for quick-start.

Why Start Online?

Online programs are designed for flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace. They are also more affordable than traditional in-person programs. Many online schools offer job placement services to help you find employment after completing your certification.

For more information, explore resources like CareerOneStop and BLS.gov. Starting your healthcare journey is just a click away!