0640 - Health Aid and Technician Series

Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This series includes positions involving nonprofessional work of a technical, specialized, or support nature in the field of health or medicine when the work is of such generalized, specialized, or miscellaneous nature that there is no other more appropriate series.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the MEDICAL, HOSPITAL, DENTAL, AND PUBLIC HEALTH GROUP, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

  • 0601 - General Health Science Series
  • 0602 - Physician
  • 0603 - Physician Assistant Series
  • 0610 - Nurse Series
  • 0620 - Practical Nurse
  • 0621 - Nursing Assistant Series
  • 0622 - Medical Supply Aide and Technician Series
  • 0625 - Autopsy Assistant Series
  • 0630 - Dietitian and Nutritionist Series
  • 0631 - Occupational Therapist Series
  • 0633 - Physical Therapist Series
  • 0635 - Kinesiotherapy Series
  • 0636 - Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series
  • 0637 - Manual Arts Therapist Series
  • 0638 - Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist Series
  • 0639 - Educational Therapist Series
  • 0642 - Nuclear Medicine Technician Series
  • 0644 - Medical Technologist Series
  • 0645 - Medical Technician Series
  • 0646 - Pathology Technician Series
  • 0647 - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Series
  • 0648 - Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Series
  • 0649 - Medical Instrument Technician Series
  • 0650 - Medical Technical Assistant Series
  • 0651 - Respiratory Therapist Series
  • 0660 - Pharmacist Series
  • 0661 - Pharmacy Technician Series
  • 0662 - Optometrist Series
  • 0665 - Speech Pathology and Audiology Series
  • 0667 - Orthotist and Prosthetist Series
  • 0668 - Podiatrist Series
  • 0669 - Medical Records Administration Series
  • 0670 - Health System Administration Series
  • 0671 - Health System Specialist
  • 0672 - Prosthetic Representative Series
  • 0673 - Hospital Housekeeping Management Series
  • 0675 - Medical Records Technician
  • 0679 - Medical Support Assistance
  • 0680 - Dental Officer Series
  • 0681 - Dental Assistant
  • 0682 - Dental Hygiene Series
  • 0683 - Dental Laboratory Aid and Technician Series
  • 0685 - Public Health Program Specialist Series
  • 0688 - Sanitarian Series
  • 0690 - Industrial Hygiene Series
  • 0696 - Consumer Safety Series
  • 0698 - Environmental Health Technician Series
  • 0699 - Medical and Health Student Trainee Series
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This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) represents a medical assistant who has been certified by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) to have ability to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians' offices, clinics and group practices. Medical assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on office location, size, and specialty. Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. This is a mid-level certification and requires applicants to be graduates of an accredited medical assisting program and pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

Medical Assistant (MA) certification validates ability to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of numerous health professionals running smoothly. Medical Assistant is an integral member of the health care delivery team, qualified by education and experience to work in the administrative office, the examining room and the physician office laboratory. They are also a liaison between the doctor and the patient. Duties for Medical Assistants vary depending on the state in which an MA practices. This is an intermediate skill level certification, and requires applicants to meet experience and/or education requirements.

Click here to go to Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) certification is for individuals whose primary function is to obtain patient blood specimens by venipuncture or micro techniques. The Phlebotomy Technician aids in the collection and transportation of other laboratory specimens, and may be involved with patient data entry. They are also required to draw blood for transfusions, donations and research. This is an intermediate skill level certification that requires applicants to be graduates of an accredited program or have 1,040 hours of acceptable work experience to qualify to take the written exam.

Click here to go to Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification is an entry-level credential for individuals who work in eye care. The COA is JCAHPO's initial core-level certification; the COA exam assesses candidates' knowledge of ophthalmic care and patient care. COAs work under the supervision and direction of ophthalmologists to perform ophthalmic clinical duties. Candidates must meet education requirements and pass an examination.

Click here to go to Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) is an intermediate level certification designed for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) or program graduate who intends to advance in the eye care field. COTs perform ophthalmic clinical duties under the supervision and direction of ophthalmologists. To earn the COT certification, candidates must meet one of the education/training and/or experience requirement options and pass both a written exam and a practical exam. COT candidates are eligible to take the practical exam after successfully completing the written exam.

Click here to go to ASPT-Certified Phlebotomy Technician COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The NCCT National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) is an entry-level health care credential. Medical Assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks necessary for day-to-day operations of physician offices and other health care practices. Medical Assistants' administrative duties vary by employer. Clinical duties may also vary by practice. NCMAs comply with state and federal regulations. NCCT requires that candidates meet educational and other requirements.

Click here to go to National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The NCCT National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) credential is an intermediate to entry-level health care certification. Individuals who become NCPTs meet both state and national standards for knowledge and skills that are necessary for the practice of phlebotomy. Phlebotomists collect and handle blood specimens used in diagnoses, drug testing, and other for health-related needs. They work directly with patients. NCCT requires that candidates meet educational and other requirements.

Click here to go to Phlebotomy Technician, PBT (ASCP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP) validates technicians ability and knowledge to adhere to laboratory safety protocols and infection control, and explain the blood drawing procedure to the patients. Phlebotomy Technician works under the general supervision of a medical doctor, licensed healthcare practitioner, or laboratory supervisor. This is an entry level certification. Candidates must have a high school diploma and meet the training and/or experience requirements.

Click here to go to Certified Paraoptometric Assistant (CPOA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Paraoptometric Assistant (CPOA) is a mid-level credential. This certification validates individual's ability to apply the concepts used in optometric care. The CPOA may perform technical duties such as taking detailed patient histories, measuring visual acuity, measuring the curvature of the cornea (Keratometry), glaucoma screening; blood pressure testing, and measuring the distance between the pupils of the eye under supervision of an optometrist. Applicants must meet any one of the several eligibility options and pass an exam. The examination consists of questions related to practice management, basic and special procedures, ophthalmic optics and dispensing, refractive status of the eye, and basic ocular anatomy and physiology.

Click here to go to NHA-Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NHA-CPT) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is an entry-level certification for clinical team members at hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and blood donor centers. A Phlebotomy Technician is a health care professional responsible for the collection and handling of blood specimens used in diagnosing and tracking illnesses, drug testing, or other health-related areas requiring a blood sample. Candidates must take a written exam.

Click here to go to Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is an intermediate-level allied health care professional credential. CCMAs specialize in procedures commonly performed in ambulatory health care settings. Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties and assist a variety of providers including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They typically work in medical offices, clinics, urgent care centers and may work in general medicine or specialty practices. Applicants for the CCMA are required to pass an exam, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet training or experience requirements.

Click here to go to Certified Phlebotomist Technologist (CPT) COOL Snapshot page.

Certified Phlebotomist Technologist (CPT) is an entry-level certification. Phlebotomy is the act of drawing blood either for testing or transfusion. It is a skill employed by physicians and many professionals in allied health fields, including medical assistants, paramedics, and clinical laboratory scientists. Phlebotomists collect blood primarily by performing venipuncture and, for collection of minute quantities of blood, fingersticks. Blood may be collected from infants by means of a heel stick. Specially trained phlebotomists collect arterial blood samples from the radial artery of the wrist or brachial artery in the antecubital area (bend in the arm). Additional information including testing and experience requirements are available from the certifying agencies web site.

Click here to go to Radiology Certified Coder COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Radiology Certified Coder credential assesses the level of knowledge demonstrated by radiology coders in a valid and reliable manner; encourages professional growth in the field of radiology coding; and formally recognizes individuals who meet the requirements set by the Radiology Coding Certification Board (RCCB). Candidates must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency and one year of full-time radiology coding experience within the past four years and have not been excluded from participation in, or sanctioned by, the Medicare or Medicaid programs, and have not been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a criminal offense involving state or federal healthcare laws. Candidates must pass a written examination.

Click here to go to Radiology Practitioner Assistant (RPA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants (CBRPA), Radiology Practitioner Assistant (RPA) certification is for mid-level practitioners in Radiology. An RPA is a health professional certified and registered as a radiographer and credentialed to provide primary radiology health care services with physician supervision. Within the physician/RPA relationship, RPAs exercise autonomy in decision making in the role of a primary caregiver with regard to patient assessment, patient management and in providing a broad range of medical imaging and interventional services. To earn the RPA certification, candidates must be an active registered American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) radiographer, possess Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, and meet both education and experience requirements. Candidates must also pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) COOL Snapshot page.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN), Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) is a national medication aide certification exam typically administered to nurse aides who choose to receive additional training to become certified medication aides. Once certified, these medication aides serve an important role in hospitals and long-term care facilities by helping distribute medications and monitoring for adverse reactions. Before taking the MACE, candidates must contact the medication aide program in their state and meet training/educational program requirements.

Click here to go to Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Specialist (CCMAS) COOL Snapshot page.

The AECA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Specialist (CCMAS) credential is an entry-level medical assistant credential; AECA recommends that candidates have one year of related work experience. CCMASs work under the direct supervision of a physician performing clinical skills. These skills include and are not limited to: recording vital signs like temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure, measuring height and weight, preparing the examination room to be ready for the physician to examine the patient, performing different modes of electrocardiography, also phlebotomy-related tasks, and other lab test-related tasks. In addition to the clinical skills described above, CCMAS candidates and those certified are expected to have administrative and clerical skills.

Click here to go to Certified Phlebotomy Technician COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The AECA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is an entry-level phlebotomy certification; AECA requires that candidates have one year of related experience or the equivalent training/education. Certified Phlebotomy Technicians draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research; they may explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients. Phlebotomy Technicians have a variety of clinical, administrative, and clerical skills. Candidates and those certified possesses the necessary skills and abilities to perform phlebotomy-related tasks which include evacuated tube method, butterfly technique also known as winged infusion technique, syringe method, capillary stick blood collection, glucose testing, bleeding-time testing, blood film/blood smear skills, and blood collection. Other clinical skills these technicians possess include urinalysis, oral swab or nasopharyngeal swab.

Click here to go to Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) in an entry-level medical assisting credential suited to professionals working in patient care. CMACs have a variety of job responsibilities that include medical and administrative tasks depending on State Law. Some common tasks of a CMACs include; taking a patient's history, preparing an examination room, assisting physicians during examinations, preparing and transporting specimens, preparing a patient for an EKG, filing and front desk responsibilities. CMAC candidates must be 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent and are required to be a graduate from a CMAC-certification related training program or have 2 or more years of work experience and be currently working in the field.

Click here to go to Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) is an entry-level phlebotomy credential suited to medical technicians who specialize in collecting, processing and handling human blood. Phlebotomy technicians have a variety of job responsibilities that include identifying and interacting professionally with patients, performing venipunctures, performing capillary draws and transporting specimens to the laboratory. They must take proper measures to ensure safety and infection control. The minimum requirement to obtain the credential or license varies by state. Applicants must familiarize themselves with their state's rules and regulations regarding certification or license requirements before applying for the exam.

Click here to go to Phlebotomy/EKG Technician Certification (PTC-ETC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), Phlebotomy/EKG Technician Certification (PTC-ETC) is a dual certification in the areas of phlebotomy and EKG. PTC-ETC candidates have knowledge and skills in rhythms and waves, lead placement, law and ethics, patient care, patient id and site prep, equipment selection and ordering, specimen collection/processing, and safety and infection control. To earn the PTC-ETC, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet a training program or experience requirement. Candidates must also pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Paraoptometric Coding Certification (CPOC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Paraoptometric Coder (CPOC) credential is an intermediate-level certification recommended for individuals with 2 years of relevant work experience and a high school diploma or the equivalent. Paraoptometric coders are responsible for ensuring that all the information about diagnoses and procedures for patients is accurate and complete. A certified paraoptometric coder can be the first line of defense against non-compliance and improper coding for the provider. Certified coders are expected to comply with state and federal laws. Candidates must pass an exam.

Click here to go to Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) is for individuals who perform a wide variety of functions in a healthcare setting. Medical Assistant duties may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, preparing statements for billing, communicating with patients, charting patient histories, measuring patient vital signs, and helping physicians with patient exams. To earn the MAC, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet a training program or experience requirement. Candidates must also pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Medical Assistant Certification/EKG (MACE) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), Medical Assistant Certification/EKG (MACE) is a dual certification in the areas of medical assisting and EKG. MACE candidates perform medical assistant duties such as scheduling appointments, preparing billing statements, and measuring patient vital signs in addition to performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), ultrasounds, and sonographs of a patient's heart. To earn the MACE, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet a training program or experience requirement. Candidates must also pass a written exam.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Hearing Aid Specialists
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