The medical field has many career choices besides a registered nurse or physician, and as one of the fastest-growing industries, it makes sense to consider a job in the healthcare industry. Industry growth means that after completing the needed degrees or certifications, finding a career can be pretty straightforward.
Many medical jobs get forgotten about that are actually in high demand and only require training in two years or less, and you can accept responsibility quickly. Here are seven forgotten medical jobs in high demand you should consider pursuing.
1. Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician helps and assists a licensed pharmacy with filling prescription medication for individuals and health care professionals by measuring the correct amount of the prescription and providing the proper labeling and packaging of drugs. To become a pharmacy technician, you need to complete postsecondary education at a pharmacy technician school. Course content can include mathematical calculations for the pharmaceutical industry, record keeping, medication dispensing, and health care laws, policies, and regulations in regards to medication. Also, most programs will offer clinical experience in a pharmacy, where you will receive hands-on training for the job. The salary for a pharmacy technician can range from $37,000 to $48,000 depending on location, education level, and experience.
2. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A certified nursing assistant will assist patients with personal care in various settings such as home health, long-term care, rehab, clinic, and hospital settings. CNAs should possess compassion, patience, and understanding for this job, they will learn the skills through a course that average two weeks. The average pay for certified nursing assistants is $12.33 per hour, but wages vary depending on setting and region. Many nurses start as CNAs to continue their education while keeping a foot in the door in the industry.
3. Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist draws blood from patients of any age for testing and other purposes, and are often hired by a clinic or hospital laboratories. Becoming a phlebotomist requires not being squeamish with blood and bodily fluids. A phlebotomist will require blood from a patient with a needle through veins. In some cases, facilities train phlebotomists on the job, while others require a phlebotomy certification in advance, which can be achieved in a one or 2-semester program. The average pay for a phlebotomist is $14.50 per hour, but it’s a high starting point if you are looking to further your career to a medical technologist.
4. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Certified medical assistants work primarily in a clinic setting where they register patients, room patients, take vital signs, and give immunizations. Programs for CMA can be completed in one year. CMAs need to be professional, detail-oriented, and conscientious. The average pay for a CMA is $16.16 per hour.
5. Medical Records Technician
Medical records technicians work behind-the-scenes in the healthcare industry. Medical records technicians are responsible for accurately transcribing and organizing patients, medical histories, symptoms, and diagnoses, and categorizing treatments and procedures for insurance billing. To be a medical records technician, you need to be comfortable working alone in a quiet environment and have strong skills in attention to detail. The pay for a medical records technician is around $19.40 per hour, and you can receive your certificate or degree in two years or less.
6. Physician Assistant
If being a doctor was always something you wanted, but realistically you can’t invest the time and money into the schooling. An alternative would be a physician assistant. Physician assistants gather patient history, perform physical examinations, order and interpret lab tests, diagnose and develop treatment strategies, help patients on preventative health, perform various medical procedures, assist in surgical operations, and write prescriptions. To become a physician’s assistant, you need to complete an undergraduate degree and additional training on the job as a physician assistant. The average salary for a physician technician is $100,000 a year. So, with a few years of schooling, you could have a high paying medical job.
7. Medical Transcriber
Medical transcribers listen to notes from the doctors and healthcare specialists and type the letters up. The transcriptions are for patients files and insurance companies. A medical transcriber will also review and edit medical documents created. The position of a medical transcriber is good for someone who enjoys working on their own but still wants to work in the medical field. To become a medical transcriber, you do need to obtain a certificate or associate degree. The average salary for a medical transcriber starts at $34,000 per year or more.
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