9 healthcare certifications to transform your career

If you want to gain additional expertise in a specific healthcare topic and improve your career prospects in the process, a certification in healthcare could be right for you. Learn more in this handy list of 9 healthcare certifications to transform your career.

If you’re an established or aspiring healthcare professional, you might be thinking about pursuing an additional qualification to improve or update your skills and strengthen your career prospects. That’s where healthcare certifications can come in. 

To help you decide whether a certification in healthcare is right for you, we’ve pulled together a list of nine courses that can open the door to a wealth of opportunities in the healthcare industry. Read on to learn more about the top certifications in healthcare and how they can transform your career. 

What are healthcare certifications?

Healthcare certifications are qualifications or accreditations available to new, aspiring and established healthcare professionals. They’re available for a broad range of healthcare disciplines, although many focus on a specific aspect of healthcare, such as cutting-edge topics like the future of healthcare technology.

These certifications offer healthcare professionals the opportunity to gain new knowledge, acquire additional expertise and add career-boosting credentials to their CVs. The qualifications can help professionals progress their careers in healthcare management, either by moving to a more advanced role or transitioning to a new discipline.

Healthcare certifications are offered by universities, sometimes in partnership with professional bodies or other relevant organisations. Many courses are available to undertake remotely through online learning platforms like FutureLearn. They involve studying a set curriculum and then completing a form of assessment, like an exam or essay, either during or after the programme of learning.

Many healthcare certifications, particularly those at Master’s level, are designed for learners who already have a healthcare degree.

9 healthcare certifications to transform your career 

Whatever your career aspirations, there’s a healthcare certification that could be right for you. The following Master’s-level courses from FutureLearn suit a wide range of healthcare interests and professional goals. 

Machine Learning for Healthcare by University of Aberdeen

In this certification, you’ll explore the diverse applications and problem-solving capabilities of machine learning in healthcare. 

You’ll gain practical skills by learning to use the popular programming language R. You’ll also gain specialist insights from industry experts and explore the machine learning workflow in action.

This certification is a crucial first step in building your machine learning skills towards a career in health data science. In time, you could become a health data analyst or health data scientist. 

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Machine Learning for Healthcare course is created by the University of Aberdeen and is worth 15 stackable university credits at Master’s level.

Health Economics by University of Aberdeen

You’ll build the skills and expertise required to tackle the challenges of health economics in this healthcare certification.

You’ll investigate strategies for forecasting demand and managing the pharmaceutical supply chain while examining challenges relating to drug and skill shortages in healthcare. You’ll also analyse public policy relating to health economics, comparing and contrasting a range of policy interventions in health behaviours.

The certification will equip you with concrete skills and expertise for a wide range of health and policy-related careers. You’ll have the skills to inform public policy-making, resource management and clinical decision-making. 

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Health Economics is created by the University of Aberdeen and is worth 15 stackable university credits at Master’s level.

Patient Journey and System Design by Deakin University

In this certification, you’ll explore the journey of patients within the healthcare system and investigate operational management problems. 

You’ll learn how to apply theories of capacity planning, scheduling, queueing and process design to delays in healthcare. You’ll also discover how to evaluate and present solutions to improve patient experience by adopting an appropriate system-wide perspective.

After completing this course, you’ll be well-placed to further your career in healthcare disciplines that value skills such as systems thinking, cause analysis and business planning.

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Patient Journey and System Design course is created by Deakin University, one of Australia’s largest universities. It’s worth 0.5 postgraduate-level credits from Deakin University.

Introduction to Data Health Science by University of Aberdeen

You’ll take the first steps into the critical field of data health science with this healthcare certification, gaining a solid understanding of the industry’s ethical, legal, and technical challenges.

You’ll master the process of collecting, managing and analysing health data using tools, including R and SQL. You’ll also understand the art of visualising and communicating health data effectively.  

With the comprehensive foundation of knowledge this certification provides, you’ll be well-equipped to work towards a career as a health data scientist or analyst.

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Introduction to Data Health Science course is created by the University of Aberdeen and is worth 15 stackable university credits at Master’s level.

Public Health in Action by University of Aberdeen

In this certification in healthcare, you’ll discover how you can protect, promote and improve population health on a global scale.

You’ll explore the essential components of public health: healthcare evaluation, health protection and health promotion. You’ll learn to identify at-risk populations, monitor public health, measure the burden of ill-health and implement effective interventions. 

The course will equip you with a robust understanding of public health’s core areas and the practical skills required to effect change. This will put you in a strong position to advance your career in public health.

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Public Health in Action course is created by the University of Aberdeen and is worth 15 stackable university credits at Master’s level.

Women’s Health in a Global Setting by University of Aberdeen

In this course, you’ll start to build the knowledge you need to understand and advocate for women’s health globally.

You’ll learn about UN and WHO policies on women’s health and explore health inequalities and gender bias in healthcare around the world.  With a particular focus on issues in developing countries, you’ll explore issues as varied as gender bias, LGBTQ health and digital health for women.

With the expertise you gain through this certification, you’ll be well-placed to explore senior positions in the health sector, particularly those in community healthcare, family planning and midwifery.

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Women’s Health in a Global Setting course is created by the University of Aberdeen and is worth 15 stackable university credits at Master’s level.

Nutrition and Health Through the Life Stages by University of Aberdeen

In this certification in healthcare, you’ll explore the latest developments in nutritional science and learn about core areas such as metabolic studies and cell biology. 

You’ll examine the role of diet in the development of diseases and develop your research and evaluation skills by analysing a wide range of contemporary sources. You’ll learn how to critically appraise scientific literature and form your own judgement on a piece of evidence.

The certification provides a strong foundational grounding for professionals who are seeking to progress their careers in nutrition and public health.

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Nutrition and Health Through the Life Stages course is created by the University of Aberdeen and is worth 15 stackable university credits at Master’s level.

Epidemiology by University of Aberdeen

This healthcare certification focuses on epidemiology, the study of how diseases are caused and then spread through populations.

You’ll explore the fundamental principles of epidemiology and discover the latest developments in epidemiological research.

You’ll examine disease measurement at population level by looking at case studies from around the world. You’ll also learn to design and evaluate epidemiological studies and explore how to make your own contribution to improving public health.

The knowledge and expertise you’ll gain through this certification could open the door to career opportunities in health and social care, research and health policy. 

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Epidemiology course is created by the University of Aberdeen and is worth 15 stackable university credits at Master’s level.

Postgraduate Certificate in Integrative Medicine (Pain Management) by Hong Kong’s HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) and the Hong Kong Pain Society

This comprehensive certification in healthcare offers the unique opportunity to explore the multi-dimensional approach of combining Chinese and Western medicine. 

You’ll understand the study and management of pain in Western medicine and the principles of pain management in Chinese medicine. You’ll compare the diagnosis and treatment of different pain conditions, exploring the importance of cooperation between Chinese and Western medicines.

The expertise you gain will help you advance your career in a wide range of roles that value skills like pain diagnosis, assessment, and pain management in both Western and Chinese medicine.

Interested in studying for this healthcare certification online? FutureLearn’s Postgraduate Certificate in Integrative Medicine (Pain Management) is created by Hong Kong’s HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) and the Hong Kong Pain Society. It’s worth 30 postgraduate-level credits from HKU SPACE.

Transform your career with FutureLearn’s online healthcare certifications

Think a healthcare certification could be right for you? At FutureLearn, we can help with our flexible online options. You can study for any of the healthcare certifications listed in this article from the comfort of your home. Check out our microcredentials in healthcare and medicine and microcredentials in IT and computer science to learn more about each course and get your journey started.