Have you ever been interested in working in the medical field, but felt that the years of schooling and endless requirements had held you back? When it takes over eight years of education, not to mention residencies of post-doctoral work, to become an MD or a Ph.D., intimidation is likely. But did you know there are several ways to work in medicine without all those advanced degrees?
While many of these career paths still require some schooling, they’re much easier to get into. In fact, several careers may not follow the conventional track of working in medicine but immensely help healthcare providers. Read through some of these options to help you find the easiest and most compatible medical-related field for you.
First, consider online certification.
If you don’t want to go down the route of higher education, be aware of the certifications that will still be required if you work in medicine. Luckily, there are simple ways for healthcare professionals to maintain certifications entirely online.
Most healthcare professionals need life support certifications. These can include basic life support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Let’s say you need your PALS recertification. Well, you can take an online course with other medical professionals and get your PALS recertification online. It’s simple and affordable, and it can fast track you to the next step of your career.
Equipment Work
To do their jobs, doctors need the right tools. That’s where you can come in. Have you ever considered a job building and maintaining medical equipment? There are hundreds of companies worldwide that develop these medical devices. You can apply for these with minimal medical experience, making it an easy field to access.
Doctors use machines for any number of procedures, and they often need help fixing their equipment or even buying used pieces. Perhaps you can work at Cosmetic Laser Warehouse and learn to repair used cosmetic lasers and help medical companies around the world. These Palomar and Syneron lasers are making a difference to companies and patients alike. Everyone knows a workman is only as good as his tools, and the tools medical professionals require are vitally important.
Certified Medical Assistants
Another way to get into medicine is to become a medical assistant. Certified medical assistants (CMAs) are usually the first point of contact with patients. They assist with registering patients, taking vitals, and sometimes giving immunizations. CMAs are quite similar to registered nurses, but with a few differences. RNs require much more schooling and can assist physicians with procedures, while CMAs take on a more administrative role. Becoming a CMA requires an associate’s degree and a certification, making it an accessible avenue with a great deal of potential for job growth.
Phlebotomy
Another way to work in medical practices is through phlebotomy— that is, if you’ve got the stomach for it. Phlebotomists are responsible for all things blood. Their primary duty is to collect and organize blood samples, then send them for testing and diagnosis. Pursuing a job as a phlebotomy technician will involve drawing blood and monitoring patients as well as cleaning lab equipment.
EMT/Paramedic
Perhaps your interest lies more in emergency medicine and the adrenaline involved in that career. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to your 911 emergency calls. They arrive on the scene to perform medical aid while helping transport patients to hospitals. You will need to be well versed in emergency response procedures, and you must feel comfortable with performing CPR and other resuscitation techniques. If you feel confident you can keep cool under pressure, this may be the right path for you. EMTs do require a college degree and a certification, but this track takes far less time than most traditional healthcare careers.
2 comments
Thank you for sharing this!
fantastic article