Healthcare jobs are in high demand everywhere. Whether you want to spend 10-plus years in college or less than a year, you can find a job in the medical field. All you need is a good education and a willingness to help others to start a lucrative and rewarding career.
[ads position=”top”]
You can choose from the following parts of the healthcare industry.
Ancillary Support Careers
Healthcare today requires doctors and nurses and a wide range of support and service professions to achieve quality patient care outcomes. These professions include but are not limited to direct patient caregivers, community health educators, diagnostic and medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, technologists trained in laboratories, social services, administrators/managers, nutrition and dietary support and research, etc.
Degrees and Licensure
Health care education qualifications range from certificates to doctoral degrees based on your interests. Some entry-level professions are available to those with a high school diploma, Associate degree, or specialized certification. However, most employers prefer a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or university. In addition, licensure and professional certification are required before you can practice. Check your state’s regulatory board to see if your degree meets licensing requirements.
Online Education and Tuition Opportunities
The best medical degrees offer the following career options for students with bachelor’s degrees who want to work in healthcare. Colleges and universities have expanded their online degree offerings to meet the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals, and most students can earn a degree online. It is recommended that your search focuses on accredited programs that meet your state’s licensing requirements, if necessary, and that your degree meets the highest educational standards.
Read on to clearly understand the most helpful healthcare jobs that can be the best choice for you.
- Medical and health services manager
Medical and health care manager positions that require leadership, organization, communication, and analysis skills will be in high demand over the next ten years. Health and medical services managers work in acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, government agencies, and home care agencies.
An undergraduate program or specialization in health care management often includes courses in health services management, accounting and budgeting, human resources management, strategic planning, law and ethics, health economics, and health information systems.
- Biomedical engineer
Biomedical engineers, whose job growth rate is 23% over the next decade, always combine medical and biological sciences to design and build devices, equipment, computer software, and systems to diagnose and treat patients.
These engineers can find jobs in various fields, including hospitals, universities, medical facilities, medical technology industries, and government agencies. Analytical, mathematical, and communication skills, as well as creativity and problem-solving ability, are critical elements for a biomedical engineer.
- Chemists
A bachelor of science in chemistry may qualify for entry-level positions in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the research industry, federal agencies, or testing laboratories. A bachelor of chemistry is usually required to take courses in analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, such as computer science, mathematics, biological sciences, and physics.
[ads position=”mid”]
- Occupational health and safety
Health and safety professionals work to ensure the safety of employees in offices, laboratories, hospitals, and industry. This profession protects workers or patients by checking workplaces for chemical, physical, radiological, and biological hazards. Government professionals can impose fines for violations. Courses for this degree study radiation science, hazardous materials management and control, risk communication, and respiratory protection.
- Microbiologist
Students interested in microbiology may find jobs in hospitals, research laboratories, pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing facilities, or state and federal government agencies. Microbiologists study microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi to determine how they grow, live, and affect the environment. Bachelor’s degree in microbiology is for entry-level work.
- Nursing
With the increasing number of insured patients, the aging baby boomer generation, and medical research and technology, BSN degree nurses can expect annual earnings of $66,640 and high demand. Nursing roles have expanded to include inpatient care and work in doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics, home care services, schools, for-profit, and long-term care facilities. Requiring compassion, physical stamina, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills, the BSN is a solid foundation for nurses wishing to further their education for leadership positions.
- Nutrition science
Over the past decade, the role of nutrition and diet has become a growing area of health care. Nutritionists can find work in hospitals, residential care facilities, and outpatient clinics (such as cancer, dialysis, or diabetic centers). They create nutrition programs based on patient needs and work with physicians and nurses to ensure good patient outcomes through nutrition. In addition, many clinical nutritionists may specialize in kidney disease, oncology, pediatrics, or even genetics.
- Health and Wellness
This degree qualifies the student to become a public health consultant, physician office manager, or school health teacher. The estimated salary for this profession is $54,120 and will increase by about 12% over the next ten years. Coursework for this degree may include adult health, public mental health issues, substance abuse, and public health research. Students earning a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness may need to be licensed or certified to work in certain positions.
- Clinical laboratory science
Clinical laboratory science may be the right career if you have an interest in technology, attention to detail, physical stamina, and the ability to multitask. Clinical laboratory technicians can find work in hospitals, diagnostic and medical clinics, and doctors’ offices.
Technicians analyze biological fluids, examine blood samples for transfusions, work with sophisticated laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters, use automated equipment and computerized instruments, and discuss the results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures with physicians. Courses include chemistry, biology, microbiology, mathematics, and statistics; there is also an emphasis on laboratory skills, including safety and laboratory management.
- Cytotechnology
In medical laboratories, hospitals, or diagnostic centers, cytotechnologists can perform various tests, such as fine-needle aspirations. Cytotechnologists are scientists who specialize in determining the presence or absence of disease at the cellular level. This research includes cancerous and precancerous cells as well as signs of infection. In addition, cytotechnologists can perform RNA or DNA analyses in disease treatment, diagnosis, or genetic counseling.
- Recreational therapist
After a disability or injury, such as a stroke, people sometimes need help resuming daily activities. Using a variety of activities, recreational therapists work with patients in therapy sessions, using arts and crafts, music, dance, sports, and drama to help improve the patient’s physical and social well-being. In addition, recreational therapists can assess a patient’s individual needs to regain skills lost due to a stroke, accident, or other illness.
- Biological technology
Assisting in laboratories, biological technicians work with scientists to conduct medical tests and experiments. Technicians are responsible for preparing samples for analysis, collecting data, interpreting results, and writing summary reports. Technicians work in teams under the direction of scientists, using traditional laboratory equipment and computers to analyze and understand data. These techniques are vital in advancing research and development to find cures for diseases. The BLS estimates that job growth for biologic technicians will be about 5 percent over the next ten years.
Now you know that there are many healthcare positions, from front desk to hospital management, but finding the right opportunity for you can be a little more complicated.
[ads position=”bot”]
Although there’s a lot to weigh when considering a potential career, you know that you’d prefer to find a job that helps you get up to speed quickly. That makes sense – a secure health care job requiring relatively little education is an ideal combination.
You can use this helpful list as a guide to finding healthcare jobs according to your preferences.
