Medical careers are among the fastest growing and best paying careers right now. Some people are reluctant to pursue such a career because of the amount of schooling needed.
There are several medical careers, however, that do not require medical school or other expensive and time consuming training. While you may need some training, it is relatively fast. Here are 5 options to explore if you want a medical career that doesn't take a great deal of schooling.
1. Medical Assistant
Doctors and hospitals employ medical assistants to handle the administrative duties of a a medical office. There is a strong demand for these jobs, and they pay close to $30,000 per year on average. To become a medical assistant, you need either an associate's degree or certification. This can take between one and two years to complete.
2. Medical Billing and Coding
These are jobs that require you to process medical claims with insurance companies and to bill patients. Some people work at these jobs at home, while others are hired to work in offices. Colleges and career training institutes provide training for this career, and it can usually be completed in a year.
3. Physical Therapy Assistant
Jobs that require you to work with injured patients can be both demanding and rewarding. A chiropractor, for example, typically helps people with back or neck injuries. He may perform a spinal adjustment for auto injuries. Chiropractors, however, must complete rigorous training that is comparable to that of medical doctors. One alternative is to become a physical therapist assistant. You will then be working with accident victims and people with chronic health conditions. You might be administering massage or ultrasound, for example. This is another fast growing medical field that only requires an associate's degree.
4. Dental Hygienist
This is someone who works in a dentist's office performing tasks such as cleanings and x-rays. The entire dental field is growing quickly, and dental assistants are increasingly in demand. To practice this career you will need an associate's degree in dental hygiene, which can be achieved in two years.
5. Pharmacy Technician
These are people who help pharmacists provide prescription drugs to patients. Their responsibilities may include preparing prescriptions, talking to patients on the phone, answering questions and preparing labels. There are now many programs that prepare you for this job, including online degree programs. There are both degree and certification programs to qualify you for this growing field.
The above are some examples of medical careers that don't require medical degrees or other long periods of schooling. Most of these careers require, at most, an associate's degree. In some cases you can get a certificate in a year or even 6 months, depending on the career and where you get your training.