Entering the healthcare career field is a highly desired goal for many people due to the ability to care for others and make a difference in their community. Let’s discuss how to join this field without an extensive college education.
1. Medical Transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists are responsible for listening to voice recordings from physicians and other healthcare workers, and then converting them into written form to include in a patient’s files; some medical transcriptionists may even be sought after for being multilingual.
The median pay for this career was reported at $16.96 per hour in 2020. Employers for this career are usually healthcare providers, a third-party company providing transcription services, or you may even work freelance.
2. Patient Care Technician
The role of a Patient Care Technician is providing support and care for patients while they are staying in a medical facility. You will need to monitor patients’ health and vital signs, keep their room clean and may need to assist them with tasks like eating or grooming.
Some opportunities for this career will require you to seek out certain medical certifications, but they will not require an extended university education, and some companies may even sponsor this training for you. Indeed notes that the average salary for this position is $17.27 an hour.
3. Medical Office Administrator
As a Medical Office Administrator, you will be expected to facilitate communication between the office and insurance companies, as well as clients. Ordering medical and other supplies and collecting data for patient files will also be common responsibilities.
The average hourly pay for this position is reported to be $26. Having technical skills with software such as the Microsoft Office Suite and billing and scheduling software will go a long way in this role. For guidance in getting started in this career path, consider visiting Chattanooga College’s website to sign up for their Medical Office Admin Program.
4. Physical Therapist Aide
As you can expect with the title, a Physical Therapist Aide is involved with supporting a physical therapist in their duties, helping prep the patient, treatment area, equipment, supplies, and more. This role may require some on-the-job training, but should not ask for more than a high school diploma.
The median salary for this position has been reported around $27,000. Being an effective communicator and having the ability to make a patient feel comfortable are strong advantages for this role.
5. Dental Assisting
Dental Assistants may be responsible for a number of duties, but their primary role is to prepare the treatment area and patient for the dentist. Keeping the treatment area sterile and assisting with procedures like X-Rays and other exams may be a common part of the job.
Indeed reports median pay for this position to be $19.09 based on reported salaries on their site. Some states and employers may request training and certification in specific programs, while others will not. For those interested in pursuing this career, Chattanooga College offers a Dental Assisting training program, that can help prepare you for this role in much less time than required by a traditional college degree.
6. Sonographer
Some people may be more familiar with the name “ultrasound technician”, but the roles are the same. For this career, you will use special equipment to capture images of a patient’s internal organs and tissues. Doctors will then take these images and use them to help diagnose and monitor various medical conditions.
There are certifications that may look good on your resume for this position, but they should not all require an extended degree. Median pay is about $17.73 an hour.
7. Medical Assisting
A Medical assistant can expect to perform administrative tasks in a medical office. Some specific duties are scheduling appointments, gathering patient history, measuring vitals, and preparing labs. Depending on your employer and the laws in the area, you may even be responsible for administering injections for patients.
The Median salary for this position is reported to be $34,800. This position has the opportunity for on-the-job training for qualifications, but some employers may want applicants with certification or experience in a program beforehand. Chattanooga College offers one such program, visit their site for more information.
8. Practical Nursing
A Practical Nurse is crucial in assisting a medical team with caring for a patient. They can provide basic medical attention and address a patient’s wellbeing, checking vital signs, recording medical history, and assisting patient hygiene.
An average hourly rate of $28.18 has been reported for this career. Licenses for carrying out this job will typically come from state-approved programs, and not a more extensive college medical degree. Chattanooga College is one provider of this program, visit their website for more information on how you can start.
9. Massage Therapist
Some people may not think of this role when considering a healthcare career, but a massage therapist is involved with caring for a patient’s muscles and soft tissues, manipulating them for a soothing and rejuvenating effect. Healing injuries and preventing stress provide for the physical and mental well-being of patients.
The average hourly rate can vary a lot based on experience and location.
10. Paramedic
Paramedics are involved with responding to emergency medical scenarios. Being able to assess a patient’s well-being and provide immediate assistance, as well as possibly transporting the patient for extended care to a hospital are all common responsibilities in this role.
CPR certification is required for this role, as well as training that will address things like how to dress wounds and identifying and addressing trauma and illness when arriving at an emergency site. The average hourly rate has been reported at around $21.
Getting Started in the Healthcare Field
These career paths are all good options to pursue for those who want to make a difference in healthcare without the time and resources required by a college degree. Think about where your skills and personality can provide the best fit, and where you want your impact to be felt. The time to start working towards your next rewarding career is now, so visit Chattanooga College to learn how you can take your next steps in entering the healthcare field.