Being a doctor or nurse is not the only professional option in healthcare. Healthcare careers come in a wide range of specialties, including athletic training, pharmacy, and veterinary technology. Supporting positions are also available in fields like finance, maintenance, research, or communications. Science and the particular field of practice, such as nursing, public health, medicine, or pharmacy, are key components of jobs in the health industry. All healthcare providers should, nevertheless, share a core set of abilities. Let us see some Healthcare careers you can start without a degree in this article.
Healthcare careers you can start without a degree
If you want to work in healthcare but do not want to go to school or have a degree in the area specifically, there are healthcare careers you can start without a degree and they are, home health aide, medical records specialist, medical administrative assistant, phlebotomist, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, licensed practical nurse, nursing assistant and ultrasound technician. Besides having any form of certification from community colleges or other short courses, a basic requirement is a high school diploma or GED.
Home health aide
Home health aides provide support and medical care to the elderly, sick, and disabled, usually in the patient’s own home. They could represent a company or a patient’s family. High school graduation or GED is not typically necessary for home health aides. but on-the-job training is required especially for those without prior experience. They earn an average of $27,000 per annum and their duties include:
- keeping track of and recording patient data.
- doing simple home chores like cooking, laundry, and dishwashing.
- assists with medical duties such as prescription administration and vital sign monitoring.
- assists with personal care activities like washing, grooming, and dressing.
- accompanying patients on errands and or to doctor’s appointments.
- routinely offers patients emotional and social support.
Medical records specialist
A medical facility, hospital, or clinic benefits from the administrative help of a medical records specialist. They earn $44,0901 per annum. As a medical records expert, your responsibilities include
- managing, assembling, and retrieving patient charts and records to guarantee the accuracy of billing needs.
- to give physicians critical information.
- When you discover errors in a file, you ask nurses, doctors, or other record keepers for clarification and update the file with the necessary data.
- You might also handle additional clerical tasks like creating billing or payment paperwork or supporting audits in addition to your data entry duties.
Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist is a medical professional having the training to draw blood from both adults and children. The majority of phlebotomy programs last 4–8 months and include one or two semesters. This period excludes obtaining a high school diploma or the equivalent and completing the certification exam’s preparation and administration. The length of each program varies by school. They make $38,000 a year on average. Working as a phlebotomist entails:
- Blood must be collected and prepared for testing so that it may be studied in a lab by a physician.
- carrying out blood transfusions and collecting blood for donation.
Medical administrative assistant
A medical administrative assistant support doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Their duties include:
- organizing appointments,
- filing paperwork,
- writing reports,
- handling billing,
- accepting phone calls
Pharmacy technician
A qualified pharmacist and a medical expert work together as a team as pharmacy technicians to complete responsibilities. Training, certification, licensure, and actual practice for pharmacy technicians differ not only nationally but also in some nations based on employment and geography. They primarily work in hospitals and retail pharmacies. A two-year approved pharmacy technician program combining study and actual job experience is required to become a pharmacy technician. As a pre-registered trainee pharmacy technician, you will often work at a pharmacy while you complete your level 3 apprenticeship.
Pharmacy technicians’ duties include:
- fill prescriptions
- check inventory.
- assist pharmacists in providing clients or medical professionals with prescribed drugs.
Medical Assistant
The work of doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers is supported by a medical assistant, who is also referred to as a “clinical assistant” or a “healthcare assistant,” typically in a clinic setting. They make $37,000 a year on average.
Qualifying criteria of a medical assistant
- earn a GED or high school diploma.
- Obtain a medical assistant certification. This usually takes two years.
- perform an internship.
Medical assistant job duties include:
- Carrying out elementary laboratory procedures,
- get rid of polluted materials, and sanitize medical equipment.
- They could also be responsible for tasks including explaining medications or special diets to patients,
- getting patients ready for x-rays,
- taking out stitches.
- drawing blood,
- changing bandages.
Licensed practical nurse
A licensed practical nurse is a nurse who provides care to patients who are ill, injured, recovering from surgery, or incapacitated. The course can be finished in about a year at the majority of community institutions. The majority of programs include 36 to 40 credits or eight to ten classes. Any kind of medication cannot be administered through an IV line by a Licensed Practical Nurse. A licensed practical nurse earns about $200,000 Licensed practical nurses (LPNs):
- support doctors and registered nurses by assisting patients with daily tasks like eating and moving around.
- making a blood pressure reading.
- Having a discussion about medical histories with patients.
- recording vital signs to compile a record that will educate and direct the patient’s care plan.
Nursing Assistant
In healthcare institutions, nursing assistants serve patients by assisting with daily hygiene and mobility needs. Basic care is given by nursing assistants, often known as nursing aides, who also assist patients with daily activities. To become a nursing assistant you need to obtain a GED or high school diploma, join a training course that has received state approval, and take the certification test. Take the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam, enroll, and pass it. Nursing assistants earn $30,000 a year and their duties are:
- Assist patients with daily hygiene tasks such as washing, brushing their teeth, and clothing, and using the restroom.
- Feed the patients to assist with meal assistance.
- regular cleaning of linen.
- Track vital indicators and alert the RN to any troubling symptoms.
- Clean and supply bedpans.
- Assist patients with mobility issues in getting around.
Ultrasound technician
Ultrasound technicians support the diagnosis and examination of bodily problems as well as the preparation of patients for procedures and surgeries. An ultrasound technologist applies a device known as a transducer to the bodies of patients to produce images of the interior of their bodies using ultrasound technology. You can earn a one-year certificate program to become an ultrasound technician. An ultrasound technician earns an average of $80,000 a year depending on your experience. As an ultrasound technician, your duties will include:
- aiding in the diagnosis of medical conditions and responding to medical inquiries.
- Utilize a transducer to do ultrasounds.
- Proper care of ultrasonic apparatus.
- Describe the procedure to the patients.
- Speculate on ultrasound pictures.
- present the doctor or the medical staff with the photographs and findings.
Summary
Many people find success in the medical industry. Jobs in the healthcare sector are crucial since they all increase the well-being of patients and the environment in which they receive care. While many occupations in the healthcare industry require at least an associate’s degree or higher, several positions only require a high school diploma or, in some cases, a certification. Healthcare careers you can start without a degree are home health aide, medical records specialist, phlebotomy, medical administrative assistant, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, licensed practical nurse, nursing assistant, and ultrasound technician.
FAQ
Which state pays the most for a medical administrative assistant?
Washington pays medical administrative assistants $47,000 a year.
Is a registered nurse the same as a licensed practical nurse?
While registered nurses (RNs) primarily provide direct patient care, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) frequently assist doctors or RNs. A registered nurse can submit an application for licensure upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN and graduation from a 4-year undergraduate nursing program.
