The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be 4.1 million new healthcare jobs by 2022.
There are so many reasons why the healthcare field is great to break into. The job security and the rewarding nature of helping others attract many people.
We have compiled a list of the 15 best jobs in the medical field so you can start taking control of your future. Let’s get into it!
Discover the Best Jobs in the Medical Field
It is no secret that the medical field is one of the fastest growing in America. However, most people don’t have eight to 12 years to become a dentist or a physical therapist. These jobs are fast growing entry points into the rewarding medical profession.
1. Medical Assistant
A medical assistant helps patients in different settings, such as in offices or surgical centers. Medical assistants work with various doctors, such as foot doctors, eye doctors, or chiropractors.
This role is perfect for people who want a medical career that requires great attention to detail. Medical assistants are often the first people that patients see when they visit their doctor, so having a warm and caring personality is a plus.
Medical assisting is a fast-growing field. You can kick-start your future by taking medical assistant courses.
2. Registered Nurse (RN)
There are expected to be around one million new job openings for registered nurses by 2022. It’s one of the most in-demand professions, and you can become an RN in about three years with prerequisite courses.
RNs work in any medical setting. Their first priority is patient care, and they serve as advocates and teachers. Nurses take a commanding role in the hospital and in nursing homes.
Becoming an RN doesn’t mean being stuck in one area of the hospital. Many RNs change departments and challenge themselves by learning new skills or getting advanced degrees, such as Nurse Practitioner.
3. Respiratory Therapist
If you want a job in the healthcare field that offers flexibility, a changing environment, and the ability to work with cutting-edge medical technology, respiratory therapy may be for you!
Respiratory therapists specialize in helping people breathe, using different techniques and medical technology to improve patient outcomes. They work with many different types of patients, in the hospital setting or in outpatient settings.
The demand for respiratory therapists is projected to grow by 23 percent in the next 10 years. These professionals also have one of the highest salaries for a two-year program, with a median of $59,710 per year.
4. Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound technicians, or sonographers, are often associated with helping expectant mothers check on the health of their babies. Yet, this career path has so many opportunities and areas of interest.
Ultrasound technology is used by different medical specialties like ophthalmy, nephrology, and cardiology. Those who work in this field are highly valued for their ability to help physicians diagnose and prevent serious illnesses.
While most ultrasound technicians work in the hospital setting, there are plenty of other settings they can find a niche in.
Being an ultrasound technician also offers great job security. The profession is expected to grow by 26 percent over the next years, and the salary is growing to match the demand.
5. Dental Hygienist
It’s true that you’re never fully dressed without a smile, and dental hygienists help people put their best smiles forward. They also make some of the best money doing it, with a median salary of $74,070.
Dental hygienists perform yearly cleanings, help identify signs of oral diseases like gingivitis, and educate the public about good oral hygiene. They work with dentists in their offices and tend to have stable hours.
These healthcare professionals also have a lot of flexibility about the hours they work, with many opting to work part-time.
6. Surgical Technologist
If you have great focus and love working with your hands, then being a surgical technologist is a great choice. Without surgical technologists, the operating room and doctors who perform surgery would not be able to do their job.
Surgical technologists sterilize supplies, prepare the operating room, and hand equipment to doctors while maintaining sterility. The operating room can be a chaotic place, and these pros help maintain order.
Experienced surgical technologists are also able to assist with surgeries by suctioning, helping with wound closures, and taking samples to the laboratory for analysis.
7. Phlebotomist
Phlebotomist as a title may sound long and unwieldy, but most of us have positive experiences with phlebotomists. These medical professionals draw, store, and test blood. They also ease stress and make giving blood a rewarding experience for many who would otherwise be too nervous.
They work primarily in hospitals, blood donor offices, and other outpatient medical facilities that draw blood for testing. Phlebotomists are able to become experts in their medical niche, which also positively impacts job security.
If you’re a people person and have an excellent bedside manner, this could be the profession for you.
8. EMT or Paramedic
EMTs and paramedics are the first people called when something is going wrong. If you like a fast-paced work environment and are able to remain calm under pressure, being an EMT or a paramedic is a great entry point into the medical field.
An EMT is trained to provide medical treatment, such as CPR, and administer inhalers. They’re not trained to provide any treatment that would break the skin, but the program’s requirements are less strenuous than becoming a paramedic. Many EMTs become certified and work before entering paramedic school.
Paramedics are the next level up of expertise from an EMT. They are able to start IVs, give injections, and have an extensive knowledge of emergency medicine. Paramedics are always in demand.
Unlike many of the other professions that we are profiling, EMTs and paramedics work in at disaster sites as well as with fire departments and ambulances. The dynamic nature of the job is exciting to many people and requires specialized training and skills.
9. Medical Secretary
Medical secretaries allow doctors and nurses to focus on their work while they manage administrative tasks. They help patients navigate the often confusing paperwork process so that they can be seen or admitted.
These professionals are responsible for organizing large amounts of data and managing day-to-day operations in clinics. This position allows you to work in the healthcare field without having to deal with bodily fluids, which many people cite as to why they haven’t started their healthcare careers yet.
Medical secretaries also are able to further their education while working part- or full-time.
10. Medical Billing and Coding
Whenever someone sees their doctor or is admitted to the hospital, a ton of data is created and filed within the healthcare system. Many people don’t think too much about where that information goes, but medical billing and coding is one of the fastest growing healthcare careers.
Like being a medical secretary, medical billing and coding enable you to work in the healthcare field without getting into the grosser aspects of the profession. Medical billers and coders work with advanced databases and computer programs to process insurance information.
This field is constantly changing and evolving, which allows medical billers and coders to constantly learn new things.
11. Pharmacy Technician
Being a pharmacy technician can be appealing if you like educating customers about healthcare topics and have an interest in math and chemistry. Many people prefer this field to others in the medical profession because they primarily work with healthy patients who are looking to enhance their quality of life.
Pharmacy technicians are knowledgeable about different medicines, and fill orders for patients. They explain side effects, risks, and drug to drug interactions to a wide variety of clientele. They also work with pharmacists and in a variety of retail settings.
12. Medical Laboratory Technician
If you have a love of medical technology and find processing complicated tests and reading results interesting, this is the perfect field to go into.
Medical laboratory technicians are the unseen people in the hospital who process samples from patients and analyze the results for doctors, nurses, and other staff members. Precision and accuracy are the key elements of this interesting profession.
They are able to specialize and become medical laboratory technologists who are experts in fields like microbiology or immunology.
13. Radiologic Technician
Radiologic technicians specialize in imaging technology and are experts in different areas of diagnostic imaging. They work with patients in a specific capacity and are vital to the hospital ecosystem.
They can choose to further specialize and become MRI technicians, who are trained in magnetic resonance imaging. Specialized radiologic and MRI technicians make about $60,000 a year, making it a highly paid associate degree career.
14. Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapy is being recommended more and more by doctors who are concerned about over-prescribing pain medication. It restores mobility and independence to patients recovering from injuries and chronic disorders.
Physical therapist assistants work hands-on with patients, helping physiotherapists. It’s a rewarding career that makes a difference in the lives of many.
Assistants are able to receive hands-on experience and decide if they want to go back to school to become a physical therapist.
15. Addiction Counselor
Addiction has been big news in the past couple of years due to the rising opioid crisis in America. The field of addiction counseling has grown substantially in response to this challenge.
Addiction counselors help addicts and their families navigate the recovery process. They can work at recovery centers or in public health settings.
These professionals are sensitive and empathetic to all people. They also are knowledgeable about addiction and the different strategies to maintain sobriety.
Seize Your Future!
Making the decision to change your career path can be intimidating but exciting.
Healthcare is a wide and varied field that has your perfect career waiting. Some of the best jobs in the medical field that we’ve profiled here only take about three years to complete.
Continuing your education can be a powerful way to get out of debt and set your family up for long-term success, so go for it!
