Health care careers cover an extensive spectrum, from clinical tasks such as surgeons or nurses to technical specialization such as phlebotomists or radiologists.
There are also numerous entry-level healthcare jobs, like medical assisting or certified nursing aide work that do not require a college degree to enter and gain work experience in healthcare fields such as this one. These opportunities offer great ways for individuals new to the industry to get into it while building work experience and networking contacts.
1. Nursing
Healthcare jobs come with various degrees of education requirements; non-clinical jobs offer great entry points into this industry without spending over 10 years studying for them.
Physicians and family nurse practitioners need nurses to run tests and maintain patient charts. Nursing careers also encompass research analysts working on medical studies or industry analyses.
2. Pharmacy
Pharmacy can be an excellent way to become involved with health care without bedside nursing. Pharmacists work in all sorts of environments ranging from hospitals and retail pharmacies, universities and government facilities – they often perform the role in multiple locations at once!
Pharmacists work alongside physicians and patients to ensure medications are prescribed and dispersed properly, offer advice, conduct health screenings, as well as dispensing over-the-counter medicines or medical devices.
3. Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical lab technicians tend to enjoy a rewarding career and high job satisfaction.*
Laboratorians set up and sanitize laboratories before conducting analyses on samples such as blood or tissue. They test blood compatibility for transfusion, examine fluid chemical composition and check immune system elements using advanced equipment. Many lab technicians move up the ladder into becoming technologists; those with graduate degrees in laboratory management, chemistry or marketing tend to have quicker advancement opportunities.*
4. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are essential members of any successful dental practice, performing cleanings to remove plaque and stains as well as applying cavity-preventative measures like fluoride treatments and pit and fissure sealants to help keep cavities at bay.
Professional dentists also provide patient education, such as explaining the connection between diet and oral health.
At UB, students can earn both an associate degree in dental hygiene in 4 years or pursue a bachelor’s through our degree completion program.
5. Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians make an impactful difference every day for pet owners and animals alike. Their work can be physically demanding but is immensely fulfilling; engaging directly with animals makes each day fun! It can also be rewarding.
Pet sitting requires daily patience to soothe anxious pet owners and explain treatment plans, and dealing with animal suffering, which can be emotionally taxing work. This career also encompasses euthanasia and may involve working euthanasia procedures that may prove emotionally stressful.
6. Physical Therapist
Hospitals: Physical therapists provide care for those injured by injuries, illnesses or conditions, including creating treatment plans with exercises and therapies to increase strength, flexibility and mobility.
Outpatient Clinics:
Physical therapy offers an exciting career option for individuals interested in making a difference through health care, with particular joy found working with seniors or athletes recovering from sports-related injuries.
7. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who possess extensive education that allows them to prescribe medications, perform physical exams and fulfill other duties traditionally reserved for physicians. Nurse practitioners are particularly popular in rural areas where the need for healthcare providers is greatest.
Nurse practitioners enjoy one of the highest job satisfaction rates among medical professionals and boast one of the fastest anticipated occupational growth projections within health care.
8. Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists assist people of all ages living with disabilities. They develop personalized plans of care and instruct patients how to perform daily tasks using adaptive equipment.
An aging baby boomer population is fueling demand for more therapists. They can specialize in areas such as geriatrics, children’s mental health issues, ergonomics and seating and mobility needs – or become managers and launch their own private practices.
9. Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists need at least a high school diploma and an associate’s degree, although many opt to earn their bachelor’s degrees so they can access more imaging equipment while working directly with physicians and medical staff.
RTs operate X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and fluoroscopy equipment to capture high quality diagnostic images that help physicians accurately diagnose diseases and injuries. While they often work conventional daytime hours, evening or weekend shifts may also be available.
10. Social Worker
Social workers provide invaluable help for individuals dealing with unemployment, domestic violence, mental illness or grieving the loss of a loved one. They can also assist families in meeting daily needs like applying for food stamps or finding counseling services.
Licensed social workers specialize in clinical duties like individual and group therapy, outreach work, crisis intervention and advocating for human rights. In private practice they can assess and treat those suffering from mental health or substance abuse disorders.