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10 Healthcare Jobs You Can Get Without a College Degree

If you’re interested in a career in the healthcare industry, you’re on the right track. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in this sector should grow by 15% by 2029.

The good news is that if you can’t or don’t want to go to college and earn a degree, you can get on board with healthcare jobs right now.

These are your options. 

1. Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy is a fancy word for drawing blood or the ancient practice of letting blood. That’s exactly what phlebotomy technicians do as part of their daily duties.

These healthcare workers draw patients’ blood for donations and lab tests. They also prepare candidates for intravenous treatment. 

Training’s offered on the job and revolves around safe procedures for drawing plasma and blood. Once you’ve completed the course, you can earn a certificate of competence in these areas.

Phlebotomists work in blood banks, hospitals, and numerous other healthcare settings.

2. Assistant Healthcare Jobs

These are some of the highest paying healthcare jobs where you gain experience by working with a qualified healthcare professional.

You can make things official by completing a college degree later, but you can start in these professions with only a high-school diploma. 

  • Dental assistants help dentists with their daily tasks
  • Medical assistants perform administration tasks in a doctor’s office
  • Physician assistants work while supervised by a licensed physician

Degreed-physician’s assistants can earn as much as $105,000 annually. 

3. Certified Nursing assistant

CNA’s perform routine tasks that help take a load off nursing staff in hospitals across the country. Some of these include:

  • Escorting patients between examination rooms and operating theatres
  • Moving and storing supplies
  • Tidying patient’s rooms
  • Setting up equipment
  • Assisting with routine procedures
  • Keeping an eye on the patient’s mental, physical, and emotional health

To get started in this profession, you need a high school diploma. Your next step is to complete a course with a state-approved education provider. To achieve certification, you’ll need to pass a competency exam. You can find out more on this site.

4. Radiologic Technologist

As an X-ray technician, you’ll perform imaging and diagnostic procedures with radiologic equipment, usually X-ray machines, magnetic resonance imaging equipment, or computed tomography scanners. 

All you need to get started in this career is a certificate from an accredited radiological study program. Alternatively, you can sign up for an associate degree in this field.

5. Occupational Therapist Aide

Occupational therapist aides work with OTs to help provide rehabilitative services for patients. These include physical, emotional, and mental therapies.

Aides help assemble equipment and prepare materials before treatment begins. They also perform important clerical tasks such as answering the phone, restocking supplies, completing insurance forms, and scheduling appointments. 

This is one of the best entry-level healthcare jobs for you if you have a high-school diploma and would like to study occupational therapy in the future. 

6. Medical Transcriptionist

Medical transcriptionists listen to audio recordings made by doctors and then document their findings. 

You can start in this field with only a high school degree provided you have good interpretation and editing skills. 

If you achieve certification in this field you can earn good money working as a Registered Medical Transcriptionist. In this case, you’ll need to renew your qualification every three years. 

7. Surgical Technicians

Surgical technicians help prepare patients for surgery or other medical procedures and transport them to the relevant surgery venues. Afterward, surgical technicians may help support patients in post-op recovery.

They also assist surgeons by preparing and maintaining surgical equipment and tools. You’ll need an associate degree or certification from an accredited surgical technician program to work in this field.

This is one of the top healthcare jobs for you if you’re a little squeamish but would like to contribute to saving lives and helping people undergoing surgery. 

8. Caregiver or Psychiatric Aide

If you love working with people these are two of the best healthcare jobs for you. Caregivers work with elderly people to help them perform daily tasks that become more difficult with age-related infirmities.

Both positions involve work like administering medication, making beds, preparing meals, and advising the relevant medical professionals or family members about the patient’s wellbeing. 

You’ll need a high school diploma to get started as a caregiver or psychiatric aide.

9. Hemodialysis Technician

Hemodialysis technicians help with dialysis treatments for patients with kidney disease. You’ll need certification to work in this field.

After training, the exam includes testing your knowledge about machine technology, dialyzer reprocessing, patient care, and water treatment. You’ll need a high school diploma to enter the certification program.

You’ll also need to earn a year of experience in nephrology before you can work in this field. 

Also, you must either renew your certification by retaking the exam every four years or provide proof of 40 hours of continued learning. 

10. Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administration jobs involve overseeing business and staffing issues on behalf of medical facilities like hospitals, inpatient rehab facilities, or clinics.

Most health care administrators have a four-year degree in healthcare or business. However, you can access this career path by becoming certified as a registered nurse. With this certification on your resume, you can get into accelerated programs to help you advance in about a year. 

Learn More

Do you want more details on career opportunities that would suit you? We feature articles on a wide range of educational topics, including more specific information on healthcare jobs.

Keep browsing our site for more great information and tips on careers and learning. 

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Helper

Helen is a multi-published, award-winning author of over 30 books, including the delightful Ivy & Bean series. She has written novels for young adults, including YA romantic comedies, and has written BBC drama.

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