So you are interested in having a career in healthcare. Many individuals dream of becoming doctors, nurses, surgeons, etc. However, aside from years of schooling and education, you will need experience. Having experience in a related field will also help you decide whether healthcare is a good fit for you or not before you spend four to eight years and thousands of dollars in schooling. Entry-level positions in healthcare are great ways to start building experience and a foundation for a career in the field.
Entry-level Healthcare Positions to Consider
Many high school students getting their first jobs end up in a fast food restaurant, mowing lawns, delivering the paper route, etc. However, if they were smart they would try out different industries to see what things they like to do and get a wide range of experience at a young age.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): CNAs provide direct patient care, assisting with activities of daily living, taking vital signs, and maintaining patient comfort.
Medical Receptionist: Medical receptionists handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, checking patients in and out, and managing phone calls.
Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists by preparing medications, managing inventory, and interacting with patients.
Home Health Aide: Home health aides provide assistance to patients who need care at home, including personal care and light housekeeping. Working for an in-home care provider
Medical Scribe: Medical scribes assist healthcare providers by documenting patient encounters and helping with medical record management.
Dental Assistant: Dental assistants support dentists during procedures, sterilize instruments, and assist with administrative tasks.
Phlebotomist: Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for medical tests, donations, or transfusions.
Physical/Occupational Therapy Aide: Physical therapy aides help set up equipment, clean treatment areas, and support physical therapists during sessions.
Lab Assistant: Lab assistants help with tasks like preparing specimens, performing basic lab tests, and maintaining lab equipment.
Behavioral Health Technician: Behavioral health technicians support individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues in clinical settings.
Medical Records Clerk: Medical records clerks organize and manage patient records, ensuring accurate documentation and confidentiality.
Health Unit Coordinator: Health unit coordinators help manage administrative tasks on hospital units, including communication and record-keeping.
Radiology Aide: Radiology aides assist radiologic technologists in preparing patients for imaging procedures and maintaining equipment.
Optometric Assistant: Optometric assistants help optometrists by conducting preliminary tests, scheduling appointments, and assisting with frame selection.
Nutrition Assistant: Nutrition assistants help with meal preparation, dietary education, and support for patients with specific dietary needs.
Rehabilitation Aide: Rehabilitation aides assist therapists in providing care to patients undergoing physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Transporter: Transporters move patients within healthcare facilities for appointments, procedures, and tests.
These positions require minimal formal education or certification, making them the perfect fit for individuals looking to enter the healthcare field without extensive training or just testing the waters to see what interests them. Keep in mind that many healthcare professionals will require you to pursue further education and training to advance in a career.
The Importance of Experience
In any field that you are looking to build a career, experience is the most important thing you can have. Hands on training will teach you more about what you are doing than any book or class ever could. Make sure you take advantage of any opportunity to secure a position in a related field as soon as possible. The younger you can start, the better. Healthcare especially requires years of schooling that will make it difficult to work, so working before you begin school, between semesters, and getting a good internship will put you and your resume leaps and bounds ahead of the others.
