We get it. Sometimes going to college just isn’t in the cards. In fact, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported that college enrollment rates have continued to decrease in the last decade. Due to this trend, more career options are opening up for professionals without undergraduate degrees. This is especially true for the healthcare field. In this blog, we’ll cover healthcare jobs without a degree needed! Continue reading for a brief overview of each career path.
Top Healthcare Jobs Without a Degree Needed
Surgical Technologist
Job Description: Surgical technologists prepare surgical equipment and assist doctors in the operating room. Their job also includes sterilizing incision sites before a procedure begins. They are able to work in inpatient and outpatient medical facilities.
Average Salary: $47,300
Requirements: These professionals normally have a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree and have knowledge of biology, anatomy, and general medical terminology. You’ll also need to work well as a team member and possess excellent active listening skills. Attention to detail and organization are some additional traits that an employer will look for.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Job Description: Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) assist registered nurses and physicians in providing basic care to patients. Some of their responsibilities include checking blood pressure, dressing wounds, and bathing patients. This position is perfect for people who are considering a career in nursing but are not ready to commit to getting a higher degree. Remember that you’ll always have the opportunity to get a more advanced degree once you’ve got some experience in the field.
Average Salary: $46,240
Requirements: If you’re interested in this career, you must earn a Practical Nursing Diploma from an accredited program before applying. These programs normally include classroom and supervised clinical experience and take roughly a year to complete. In order to practice, you’ll also need to pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Additionally, you’ll need solid interpersonal skills to interact with patients.
Medical Coder
Job Description: Medical coders act as interpreters of medical processes. They go over medical records and determine the correct coding for insurance reimbursement. They do not directly handle patients, but their work is very important to the functioning of a medical facility.
Average Salary: $40,350
Requirements: Some training is required and the intensity is dependant on the requirements of your potential employer and specialty. Most employers prefer you to be certified, but this is not mandatory. but it is not mandatory. Applicants should also have a solid knowledge of common classification systems such as ICD-9, DSM-IV, and CPT.
Medical Scribe
Job Description: Medical scribes specialize in recording appointments between physicians and patients. They are trained in health information management and use health information technology to support their work. They are able to work in hospitals, clinics, or remotely through HIPAA-secure platforms.
Average Salary: $34,770
Requirements: The minimum educational requirement for medical scribes is a high school degree, however postsecondary completion is often preferred. Other requirements for becoming a medical scribe are a passion for medicine and the ability to type very quickly.
Medical Assistant
Job Description: A medical assistant’s role is to support their fellow medical staff members. Their duties include administrative tasks such as measuring vital signs, updating records, scheduling appointments, and preparing patients for exams.
Average Salary: $33,610
Requirements: Medical assistants need to complete a postsecondary program, which usually takes a year. These professionals use electronic health records (EHR) regularly, so applicants should be very tech-savvy. Medical assistants should also be very outgoing because they are constantly interacting with patients.
*Note: These salary estimates were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Are there any more healthcare jobs without a degree necessary that we missed? Tell us about them in the comments below!
