11 Entry Level Healthcare Jobs (With and Without Degrees)
Healthcare professionals expect job growth in their industry to expand 15% from 2019 to 2029.
Much of this growth will be needed to keep up with baby-boomer demands and preventative care.
If you are looking for new career opportunities that don’t require 10 years of college, there are many options to consider. Entry level healthcare jobs range far and wide, making it easy to find a perfect fit.
Continue reading to discover some of the best entry level healthcare jobs, that don’t necessarily require a degree!
1. Massage Therapist
If you are looking for a new path that will allow you to help others, massage therapy is an excellent choice to consider.
The massage therapy field is expected to grow. Many athletic teams, spas, and offices are hiring therapists to assist in patient recovery. By completing a training program that specializes in human anatomy and massage techniques you can help others back on their feet.
2. Medical Assistant
One of the best entry level healthcare jobs that you can get is a medical assitant position.
Medical assitants are responsible for various tasks in the office. Both clinical and adminitrative experience will be gained in this position. For many other jobs, that aren’t entry level, this knowledge will be required.
You can learn how to schedule appointments, check vitals, and prep for patient visits.
3. Dental Hygienist
Entry level healthcare jobs are perfect for when you want to further your education and look for new career opportunities.
By becoming a dental hygienist, you can get inside of the dental industry and begin learning from professionals. This is a great way to get hands-on experience to determine if it is something you are interested in.
Hygienists assist dentists by cleaning teeth, providing preventative care, and examining patients.
4. Billing Specialist
Do you have experience with accounting or insurance companies?
Billing specialists handle issues with insurance companies, payments, and office management. A billing specialist works in an office setting and doesn’t give direct care to patients. This is a good choice if you want to learn the details of how healthcare facilities run.
5. Lab Technician
Becoming a lab technician will require an associate’s degree, but that doesn’t take long to get.
Your associate’s degree should include the sciences to learn microbiology and medical terminology. The knowledge you will gain in these courses will prepare you to work in hospitals and offices. You can work alongside doctors, analyzing specimens. Most lab technicians work with bodily fluids and tissues to identify illness.
6. Registered Nurse
Although you need an associates degree or more to become a registered nurse, it is still considered an entry-level job.
Registered nurses, or RNs, work in both hospital and office settings. Some also do home visits to patients, especially since the beginning of the pandemic. There are many different skills you will learn in this position and it is a great place to begin.
7. Surgical Technician
There are a couple of ways that you can become a surgical technologist, but secondary education is typically required.
Surgical technicians prepare patients for procedures by assisting the doctors and sterilizing equipment. You will learn about all of the tools and machines used in surgery and get exposure to the latest innovations. Education, beyond a high school diploma, is needed. It should be in the field of science or something related to the medical field.
8. Radiation Therapist
To become a radiation therapist you must get an associate’s degree in the field of study.
Radiation therapists also need to get a state license to perform work, so check with your state for their requirements. As a radiation therapist, you will work with X-ray machines that help target and reduce cancer cells. This is an interesting job that can help us better understand cancer treatment options.
9. Patient Care Technician
Patient care technicians primarily work with elderly adults who need basic care.
As you gain experience, you can work with special cases and injured persons. Many care technicians work in a hospital setting, but residential care facilities are also a good place to search for openings. The further you are in your education, the more opportunities you will have going forward in this position.
10. Occupational Therapist Aide
If you are wanting to have a future career as an occupational therapist, you should get a job as an aide.
As an occupational therapist aide, you will get hands-on experience working in your field. You will learn how to use the variety of equipment used along with how to do medical billing and coding.
The best part about this job is that you only need a high school diploma to start!
11. Equipment Technician
Have you ever noticed all of the different machines and technology that healthcare offices use?
Medical employees go through extensive training to learn how to use them but as time goes on, machines have problems and things break. If you enjoy working with your hands and mechanics, an equipment technician jobs is perfect for you.
You can go to offices to repair, install, maintain all of these helpful machines.
Have You Considered These Entry Level Healthcare Jobs?
If you are a recent college graduate or looking to find a start in the medical field, these entry level healthcare jobs can get you started.
Depending on what field you want to work in, you can get jobs that will teach basic office procedures or work as a dental assistant. Most of these jobs don’t require a degree, however, certifications are likely needed for each one.
Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and explore other opportunities, there is a diverse selection to choose from.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about the healthcare industry and how you can make an impact on the world!