Unlike jobs in other industries, jobs in the health care field are continuing to grow. Both medical jobs and administrative jobs in health care facilities are growing because people are living longer and baby boomers are aging and becoming in need of more health care. If you are just beginning to consider looking for a job in the health care field, you will find that you have many options. Some jobs will require college degrees or special certifications while other jobs are available as entry level jobs. Most health care jobs require at least a high school diploma or a GED.
A physician assistant is one of the fastest growing health care jobs. A physician assistant does most of the same things that a doctor does, but they do it while being supervised by a doctor. Schooling to become a physician assistant usually takes at least two to three years.
Medical secretaries are also in great demand. They perform administrative duties in health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors offices and nursing homes. Although formal training above a high school diploma is not always required, employers will look favorable upon medical secretary training or at the very least a strong administrative background.
Along the same lines as medical secretaries are medical assistants. Medical assistants not only perform clerical duties, but also do some medical procedures such as taking and recording the temperature and blood pressure of a patient. They may also take the medical history of a patient and some even draw blood. If you are interested in a career as a medical assistant you can usually finish training in ten to eighteen months time.
Of course, physicians, surgeons and registered nurses are in great demand as are licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses. Some RNs, LPNs and VPNs work in health care facilities while others provide home health care. It can take anywhere from eleven to sixteen years to fully complete schooling as a physician or surgeon. You can become a registered nurse in four years and a licensed practical or vocational nurse in one to two years.
Pharmacy is another job industry that is growing. Since you actually become a doctor of pharmacy it will take approximately eight years of schooling beyond high school to become a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants also work in pharmacies. Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of a pharmacist. While certification is not always required, a potential employer will look favorably upon an applicant who is certified. The pharmacy assistant generally works with the public and does not work with medications. This is an entry level job.
There are also jobs associated with the health care field that you can train to do and work from your home. Medical billing and medical transcription are two such jobs. Medical billing clerks bill insurance companies for services received by the patient. A billing clerk works in hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and some are independent contractors who work from their home. Most billers who work from home successfully have had some training and or experience working in an office setting. Medical transcriptionists transcribe doctors notes and must be proficient in medical terminology as well as have good transcription skills. Training can usually be completed in less than eighteen months. Like a medical biller, some work in traditional settings while other transcriptionists work from home.
As you can see, there are many medical jobs to choose from. Whether you are just entering the job field or looking to make a change, health care offers so many options. It is up to you how much time and money you want to spend to complete training and land your dream job in the health care field.
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