5 Healthcare Jobs Without a Medical Degree
If you want to enter the healthcare industry but you don’t have an interest in getting your medical degree, you’re in luck, because there are a number of healthcare jobs that don’t require med school. While some of these careers still require different degrees or certifications, they are typically shorter programs or in fields outside of medicine.
Here are five medical jobs that you can get without a medical degree.
Physician Assistant - $83,209
As a physician assistant you will work closely with a team of physicians and surgeons after becoming nationally certified and state licensed. PAs have responsibilities similar to a doctor; PAs take medical history, conduct physical exams, order tests and read the results, prescribe medication, assist in surgery, draw up treatment plans, diagnose patients, treat patients, and more. It’s a role that involves much of what a doctor does, without the extra years of education or financial burden that medical school can bring.
To become a PA you will need a bachelor’s degree and some healthcare experience, and most accredited PA programs take about 2 years to complete, according to the BLS. You will also be required to complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years that you are a practicing PA. Once you become nationally certified and licensed in the state you will be practicing in, you can start working as a PA.
The average salary for a Physician Assistant is around $83,209 per year, with a reported annual salary range of $68,220 to $115,736, according to PayScale. While it doesn’t require medical school, physician assistants must be committed to continuing education throughout their career. You will have to take courses to keep up to date on the latest medical information and state licenses often have specific continuing education requirements in order to remain licensed. If it sounds like the right job for you, check out openings on Monster to find physician assistant jobs in your area.
Health Services Administrator - $88,580
Health services administration is another healthcare job that doesn’t require a medical degree but will allow you to work in a hospital or healthcare setting. It’s an emerging field that is quickly growing as more hospitals adapt electronic health records. Implementing new software and managing it requires more staff and people who can keep track of changing policies.
As a health services administrator you will be responsible for managing a healthcare facility and everything from staff schedules, to electronic health records, to medical billing and coding. You will need to have a pulse on changing technology in healthcare as well as new laws and procedures. It’s a job that generally requires a bachelor’s degree, at least, and often times health services administrators will go on to obtain a graduate degree to further their career.
The average salary for a health services administrator is $88,580 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also predicts that health services administrator jobs will grow 23 percent by 2022. If it sounds like a fit for your skills, check out openings on Monster to find health service administrator jobs in your area.
Radiologic Technologist - $49,134
Radiologic technologist are responsible for taking x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs of patients. To become a radiologic technologist you will need at least an associate’s degree, which is the most common degree that radiologists hold. You will take courses in anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics, and image evaluation. Once you have finished your associate’s degree you will need to pass licensing exams from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to practice in your state.
Radiologic technologists and radiologists have different career paths since radiologists require a medical degree and follow a similar path as physicians. Radiologic Technologists are trained in how to use the radiology equipment whereas radiologists spend more of their time diagnosing patients.
The average salary for a radiologic technologist is $44,877 per year, according PayScale, with a reported yearly range of $33,516 to $64,245. The BLS also predicts that jobs in radiology will grow 22 percent by 2022, which will add 48,600 jobs onto the current 229,300. If you are interested in this healthcare job, take a look at openings on Monster to find radiologic technologist jobs in your area.
Dental Assistant - $30,415
Dental assistants work under the supervision of a primary dentist and are often tasked with sterilizing dental instruments, assisting dentists with procedures and cleanings, taking x-rays, maintaining dental records, scheduling patient appointments, and more. Depending on the state, some dental assistants can legally perform coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, and topical anesthetics application.
To become a dental assistant you will need to graduate from an accredited program after high school and then you will need to pass a state exam in order to practice as a dental assistant. Most dental assistant programs take around one year to complete, but if you want to get your associate’s degree, it can take two years. As a dental assistant you will be able to enjoy a career in the healthcare industry without years of medical or dentistry school.
The average salary for a dental assistant is $30,415 per year, according to PayScale. It’s predicted that dental assistant jobs will grow 25 percent by 2022, which is an additional 74,400 jobs on top of the current 303,200. If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant, search openings on Monster to find dental assistant jobs in your area.
Home Health Aide - $24,270
Home health aides have always been crucial to the healthcare industry, but the demand is growing faster as the baby boomer population ages. As the elderly population grows, there is a greater need for home health aides who can assist patients with daily needs and help them live more independently.
To become a home health aide you don’t necessarily need a certain level of education and most of your training will occur on the job. Home health aides often have less than a high school degree, but gaining certifications as you work as a home health aide might help you get better jobs in the healthcare industry. It’s also a great stepping-stone to gain experience in the healthcare industry if you plan to move on to any other entry-level healthcare job.
The average salary for a home health aide is $24,270 per year, according to PayScale, with a reported annual salary range of $16,495 to $31,137. It’s a job that is predicted to grow 48 percent by 2022, which is faster than most jobs in any industry. That’s an additional 424,200 jobs on top of the current 875,100. If you think you have the skills to become a home health aide, don't forget to look at openings on Monster to find home health aide jobs in your area.