Allied Health Manager Licensing and Certification

As an allied health manager, chances are good that you’ll be both licensed and certified. Your licensing won’t be in allied health management, however. Allied health administrators may be licensed in any of a number of health professions including physical therapy assisting or pharmacy technology. If you have a background in a health profession that doesn’t require licensing (for example, medical assisting) you’ll still want to be certified. Credentials are a part of what sets you apart. You may have more than one option. Go with the certifying agency that’s most respected in your geographic locale. Job ads are one source of information; so are professional organizations. Voluntary certifications can also be useful for would-be managers who lack allied health experience.

Will you need credentials that specifically authorize you to manage? Maybe. If you are a nursing home administrator, you’ll need a license that authorizes you to work in that capacity. Otherwise, your employer is the judge of what credentials you need. There are various voluntary certifications that can demonstrate expertise. The American Association of Health care Administrative Management offers two credentials, one for managers who work in hospital settings, the other for those who work in physician’s offices. If you go on to achieve master’s level education, certification in health care administration is available through the American College of Health care Executives. This certification requires that you do more than just pass a rigorous exam; there are also requirements for community and civic participation.

Take the first steps and discover how you can satisfy the educational requirements of an allied health manager by contacting schools that offer health administration or public health programs in your geographic region or online.