For anybody that has ambitions of working as a leader in the medical industry, usually the first thought goes to being a doctor.
The big problem that a lot of people have with acquiring this goal is that they don’t have the qualifications. When we want to work in the healthcare industry we don’t necessarily have to get a medical degree.
While many healthcare jobs still require certifications or degrees, there are shorter programs that can point you towards a medical career path. Let’s provide you with some career solutions.
Top 8 Healthcare Jobs
1. Radiologic Technologist
These people are responsible for taking CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays. It usually means you need to take an associate’s degree.
Throughout the course, you may end up taking courses in patient care, image evaluation, and a pathology course. Once you’ve completed your associate’s degree you require specific licensing exams.
2. Physician Assistant
With this one of the best healthcare jobs, you work closely with the team positions upon getting your certifications.
A physician assistant is similar to a doctor where they take the medical history of a patient, as well as conduct exams and all the tests. They also work in diagnosing patients, prescribing medication, as well as assisting in surgery.
The big difference between a physician assistant and a doctor is that you don’t need to go to medical school for as many years.
You require a bachelor’s degree to become a physician’s assistant and the vast majority of accredited programs only take 2 years to complete.
3. Home Health Care Assistant
There is a major demand for this career path. That’s because as the baby boomer population gets older and people are living for longer, home health aides can help patients to live more independently.
The great thing about this one of the healthcare jobs is that you don’t necessarily have to be educated to a certain level.
Training is done on the job but it helps if you have a high school certification. But as a career choice, it’s used as a stepping stone to another entry-level healthcare job.
As far as the salary is concerned, it is lower than many, but it’s an industry full of people that want to make a difference.
4. Speech Therapists
Diagnosing and treating communication disorders in children and adults is a very niche area of healthcare.
Speech therapists are more involved with clients than a general practitioner. Seeing someone develop over time can be incredibly rewarding.
In order to work towards this healthcare job, it’s essential to have a master’s degree from an accredited program.
You also need to acquire a license. At the very least a master’s degree is essential but when you progress beyond this, getting supervised clinical experience and passing an exam puts you on the course to becoming a speech therapist.
You may choose to set up your own practice if you want to have more control over the process.
5. Occupational Therapists
As we are all living longer and not looking after ourselves as much, we can struggle with our physicality.
Improving our motor skills is crucial and occupational therapists work to complete therapeutic exercises to teach patients how to live a more fulfilling life despite physical injury or incapacity.
Occupational therapy is dependent on completing a master’s degree.
6. Registered Nurses
The foundation of healthcare. Registered nurses assess a patient’s condition and help doctors throughout the entire healthcare process.
Becoming a nurse isn’t just about one specific pathway. You can either earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a diploma, or an associate’s degree.
Graduating from an approved program is important but there are states that require potential applicants to pass a criminal background check.
Also read: 10 Nurse Practitioner Jobs and Career Paths to Consider
7. Genetic Counselors
A career path seldom spoke of in the healthcare industry. Genetic counselors assess and individual or family’s risk of inherited conditions.
Using DNA testing, people working this one of the healthcare jobs can determine potential genetic disorders or birth defects.
Certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling is essential but this is after completing a master’s degree in genetics.
8. Nurse Midwives
Caring for a woman during pregnancy is crucial, Nurse midwives will deliver babies as well as manage emergency situations.
Acquiring a registered nursing license is essential after obtaining a master’s degree from an accredited medical program.
It’s one of the more rewarding career paths in the healthcare industry because you get to see the miracle of birth! And for those men out there, it’s not a women-only career!
It is not necessary to become a doctor in order to progress in the medical industry. These healthcare jobs can help you to develop your ideal trajectory to working in the medical industry, even if you don’t have perfect A’s.
Stock Photo from WAYHOME studio @ Shutterstock