If the last year has shown us anything, it’s that the healthcare industry is one that is constantly in need of professional who are well-trained and able to do their jobs. Perhaps surprisingly, there are many jobs that do not require advanced or even bachelor’s degrees! Unless you aspire to be a doctor or nurse, you probably don’t need either of these degrees to accomplish your goal.
Usually, some type of certification or even just a high school diploma can get your foot in the door in many different jobs within the medical field. While you’re not going to be earning the same amount of a radiologist or surgeon, you can often start out in an entry level field and through meeting the right people and networking, get yourself into positions to boost your education and earning potential.
The largest obstacle standing between most people and their aspirations of working in the healthcare industry is money. But if it is really what you want to do and you won’t let anything stop you, there are some well paying jobs that can not only help propel you to where you’d eventually like to be, but also provide you with a solid salary in the meantime. Let’s take a look at a few of the highest paying entry level healthcare jobs.
Medical Field Jobs That Require Virtually No Advanced Schooling
It might sound crazy that someone could break into the medical field with little to no advanced schooling but hear us out. There are many vital positions that require on-the-job training and an associate degree or the equivalent.
- Surgical Technician With a median salary just shy of $48,000, becoming a surgical technician is a viable career path for anyone who doesn’t mind the hospital setting and who is a quick and precise worker. If you possess an associates degree, you already possess the necessary prequalification to become a surgical tech, as well. You can expect to help prepare the operating room for surgeries and other procedures, and deal with patients about to go into surgery.
- Medical Coder If you’ve ever received a hospital or other medical related bill, you’ve probably seen those little billing codes on the bills. Well, they don’t get their magically. Medical coders are responsible for translating medical services in those codes you see on medical bills.
While some medical coders are entry level workers, there are certifications that can be achieved that will up your earning potential, with the possibility of earning up to $60,000. If you like the idea of working remotely or simply having more flexibility with your hours, medical coders often enjoy a bit more freedom with their work schedules.
- Massage Therapist If you’re not afraid taking a hands-on approach, this is a job worth considering. You typically need to complete a one-year certification program, but after that most massage therapists start around $50,000 per year, and many others earn up to $80,000 after gaining valuable experience or by living in high-demand and high cost of living states. You’ll also treat your patients in more relaxed settings and often see the direct results of your work pan out in front of you.
- Dialysis Technician Requiring the completion of a two-year program, becoming a dialysis technician is one of the more challenging jobs on this list to break into, but it is one of the most important. With many pieces of equipment required in the dialysis field, you’ll need to be trained on those, too, but once you’ve got everything down you can expect to earn roughly $45,000 per year and even in the mid to high $60’s.
- Ultrasound Technician If you like the idea of working with people but don’t want to be anywhere near an operating table, becoming an ultrasound tech might be right up your alley. Officially called a sonographer, you would oversee the operating of ultrasound equipment, helping pregnant patients and those with other ailments. To become an ultrasound technician, you will need to possess an associate degree and/or complete a certificate program. The position does pay well, though, with median salaries above $75,000.
- Medical Assistant Becoming a doctor is all well and good, but it requires spending over a decade of your life in school while accumulating massive amounts of debt. Becoming a medical assistant allows you to enjoy the perks of working in a clinical setting without going through the pains of schooling forever or through taking out several loans. Usually requiring a certificate program or associate degree, medical assistant help nurses and doctors with patients, administrative tasks, and overall keep the practice moving like a well-oiled machine. You’re not going to be living lavishly, but you can expect to earn somewhere between $35,000 to $45,000 a year.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve always dreamed of helping people and working in the healthcare field, there are plenty of options to help you accomplish your dream. If school simply isn’t’ your thing and you don’t want to go back for your bachelor’s or master’s degree, there are options out there. Many of the things that you will require to do any of these jobs successfully come from working well in a team and simply remaining dedicated to doing the best job possible. Effort and attitude go a long way, and luckily, these are two of the most important characteristics that can be controlled every day.