Veterans have numerous career options in the healthcare industry. The healthcare sector is expected to grow at a rate of 14% through 2028, making it the fastest-growing job sector in the United States at the moment. Jobs in this field will be needed for many more years to come as an increasing number of people reach retirement age.
Many positions in the healthcare industry only require an associate’s degree or a certificate. These jobs are excellent entry points into the healthcare industry because they don’t necessitate a significant amount of formal education.
Certificate-Required Healthcare Positions
Certificates are required for many positions but can be obtained in a few years. In order to work in the field of healthcare, you’ll need a certificate (or diploma).
- In the role of a dental assistant, duties include developing X-rays, assisting with procedures, sterilizing instruments, preparing them for use, and assisting in the lab with tasks such as creating plaster casts of patients’ teeth. Dental assistants may need certification or a Dental Assistant Diploma depending on their state’s requirements.
- Massage therapists can work in a variety of settings, including health clubs, spas, hospitals, and even their own homes. They aid in the treatment of pain, the recovery of injuries, and the enhancement of health and well-being in general. Anatomy, massage techniques, and other topics must be covered in a massage therapist’s training, and some states require them to be licensed or registered.
- Patients are transported, equipment is set up, and insurance forms are filled out by occupational therapy aides. A high school diploma is required for this position, and the majority of on-the-job training is provided.
- Those who work in nursing homes assisted living facilities, and hospitals are known as patient care technicians because they are responsible for providing basic medical care to those who are sick or injured.
- A diagnostic imaging exam, such as an X-ray or an MRI, is carried out by a radiologic or MRI technologist. It is common for them to work in hospitals.
- A medical scribe’s primary responsibility is to assist physicians in the completion of patient charts through the use of computerized medical records software.
- There are a variety of duties that medical assistants perform, including scheduling appointments, bookkeeping, and updating patient records. The position necessitates the completion of a postsecondary degree program in about a year.
- Phlebotomists are trained to take blood samples in a laboratory setting and must complete a certification program that can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks to complete.
- Coders work with medical records in order to determine the appropriate codes for insurance reimbursement. Training is tailored to the needs of the company.
- Personal care assistants, administrative staff, maintenance personnel, and housekeeping staff are all examples of roles that can exist in an assisted living facility.
- Among the responsibilities of a pharmacy technician are the preparation and dispensing of medications, as well as the processing of insurance information. For this position, a certification is required, which can be obtained in as little as three months.
- Patients are prepped for surgery, robots are operated on, and materials and tools are provided by a surgeon’s team of surgical technologists. A certificate or diploma program lasting one to two years can lead to a career as a surgical technologist.
- First responders, such as emergency medical technicians and paramedics, frequently arrive on the scene of an accident and treat patients until they can be taken to a hospital. A three-month certificate program and state licensure are the requirements for becoming an EMT, while a two-year degree program is needed to become a paramedic.
- Want a degree but don’t want to put in the time and effort? Typically, an associate degree is completed in less than two years. Take and pass entrance exams like CLEP and Dantes to cut down on your studying time. A two-year degree in healthcare is sufficient for the following positions.
In Healthcare, Associate Degree Required Positions
- Hygienists work in dental offices cleaning teeth, examining patients, and providing preventative care for their patients. More than half of all dental hygienists work part-time; this position requires an associate’s degree and a state license.
- Doctors use images produced by diagnostic medical sonographers to make diagnoses of a variety of medical conditions. Abdominal, obstetric, neuro, and musculoskeletal sonography can all be specialized in. Some employers require certification in addition to an associate’s degree.
- To ensure that insurance reimbursements and patient records are accurate, medical billing and coding specialists ensure the accuracy of health data.
- Installers, maintainers, and repairers of medical equipment like X-ray machines, CAT scanners, and MRI machines are called medical equipment repairers. Depending on the position, specialty certifications may be required in addition to an associate’s degree.
- In hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, or doctors’ office laboratories, medical laboratory technicians analyze samples of tissue or bodily fluids to look for signs of disease or illness.
- Occupational therapy assistants assist occupational therapists in developing therapy plans, assisting patients in performing therapeutic activities, and keeping track of their progress of patients. State licensure is also required in addition to an associate’s degree.
- Assistants in physical therapy help injured or ill patients manage their pain and regain their range of motion. In addition to an associate’s degree, you’ll need to be licensed by your state.
- Radiation therapy: therapists use high-energy X-rays to treat cancer with radiation therapy. A variety of professionals, including radiation oncologists and oncology nurses, collaborate with them. This position necessitates both a state license and an associate’s degree to perform.
- Asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic bronchitis can all be treated by respiratory therapists using chest physiotherapy and other techniques. In addition to a bachelor’s degree and a state license, the National Board for Respiratory Care certification is an asset when looking for work in this field.
- Prior to and during surgery, surgical technologists assist physicians by preparing operating rooms, patient preparation, and instrument delivery to the surgeon.
- Members of the military community can find a rewarding career without the added stress of years of schooling thanks to the wide range of healthcare jobs that can be obtained with just two years of training or less. These positions offer excellent opportunities for military personnel, as well as the opportunity to serve others.
