If you’re ready to start a rewarding career in healthcare, earning a medical certification is the best first step. But with so many options, how do you know which certification is right for you?
At Quality Career Pathways, we offer several in-demand medical certification courses in Omaha — including Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Pharmacy Technician, and Basic Life Support (BLS) training. Our goal is to help you find the program that fits your goals, then connect you with one of our trusted hiring partners after graduation.
Here are five important questions to help guide your decision.
1. Do You Want to Work in a Hospital or Care Facility?
If your dream is to work in a hospital, you have several great options to consider. Many of our students start with one of these certifications:
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) – 76 hours of hands-on patient care training
- Certified Medication Aide (CMA) – 40 hours focused on safe medication administration
- Pharmacy Technician – training for work in hospital pharmacies and retail settings
Make a note, most hospitals also require staff to have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. A quick, one-day course offered at Quality Career Pathways to get you ahead of the game.
If you’d prefer to work in a nursing home or assisted living facility, a CMA certification is typically the required entry-level credential. Facilities that provide higher levels of patient care may also hire CNAs for more advanced responsibilities.
To better understand the difference between a CNA and CMA, read our comparison article: CNA vs CMA.
2. Do You Want to Work Directly With Patients?
Not everyone pursuing a medical certification wants daily patient interaction — and that’s okay!
If you’re interested in healthcare but prefer behind-the-scenes work, consider becoming a Pharmacy Technician. In this primarily online course, students learn essential pharmacy operations and complete an externship for real-world experience. You’ll be trained to:
- Process prescriptions and insurance claims
- Prepare and label medications
- Manage inventory and drug supplies
- Handle patient records and payment systems
Our Pharmacy Technician training program blends convenience with career readiness — perfect for anyone wanting to make an impact without providing direct patient care.
3. Do You Want to Increase Your Career Opportunities?
If you’re focused on job stability and growth, consider earning dual certifications. Having multiple credentials can make you more competitive and help you qualify for higher-paying roles.
The most popular combination is a CNA + CMA dual certification.
- The CNA course focuses on full patient care and medical fundamentals.
- The CMA course adds skills in medication administration and patient monitoring.
At Quality Career Pathways, students who enroll in both programs receive a dual-enrollment discount — making it easier to invest in your future while saving on tuition.
4. Do You Want a Fast-Track Medical Career?
You don’t need to spend years in college to start working in healthcare. Many of our programs can be completed in a matter of weeks, not years.
For example, our Certified Medication Aide (CMA) course can be finished in just one week, helping you start your career quickly.
It’s important to note that a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) is not the same as a Certified Medical Assistant — which typically requires 9 months to 2 years of study. Our CMA course focuses on essential, entry-level patient care skills so you can start earning faster.
To better understand the difference between a CMA and a Medical Assistant read our comparison article: Medication Aide vs Medical Assistant.
5. Will You Need Help Finding a Job After Certification?
Finding employment after completing your training is a key part of your success. While Quality Career Pathways cannot guarantee employment, we’re proud to partner with many of the leading healthcare employers in Omaha.
Our hiring partners include trusted organizations such as:
- Children’s Nebraska
- Comfort Keepers
- Douglas County Health Center
- Hillcrest Health Services
- Nebraska Medicine
- QLI
These local partners regularly hire graduates from our CNA, CMA, and Pharmacy Technician programs, giving you a strong advantage when entering the job market.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all of these certifications show positive job growth over the next decade:
- CNA: +8%
- CMA: +19%
- Pharmacy Technician: +4%
Start Your Healthcare Career with Quality Career Pathways
Choosing the right medical certification is the first step toward a meaningful healthcare career — and at Quality Career Pathways, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Whether you want to become a Certified Nurse Aide, Certified Medication Aide, or Pharmacy Technician, our flexible programs and strong employer connections make us one of the top medical certification schools in Omaha.
Explore our courses and apply today!
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee employment or specific earning potential.