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Among the fastest growing careers today are a wide selection of choices in the allied health field, many of which only require a two-year degree. And with the convenience and flexibility of some of today’s reputable online programs, the required education can often be completed more quickly while professionals remain fully employed.
For career changers and students looking to take advantage of current trends in the employment market, this is great news. However, despite impressive job growth and earning potential, a job working directly with patients isn’t for everyone.
Thanks to an aging population and recent Federal mandate requiring that all healthcare facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid payments convert to electronic records within a year, there are a large amount of health-related jobs where direct patient contact is not required. Some of the best healthcare jobs take place behind the scenes of busy waiting rooms and bustling hospital corridors. These opportunities include:
1. Medical Coder and Transcriptionist
In order to insure proper billing and reimbursement procedures are followed, physicians need to rely on the assistance of medical coders and transcriptionists to review files, notes, and other records. Medical transcriptionists are responsible for translating written or verbal medical notes into an electronic format. Coders review physician data and add proper codes to diagnoses and treatments which will then be read by insurance companies.
Many professionals in this field work behind the scenes in doctor offices and other healthcare settings. Online work is also available in this field especially as more offices move to 100% electronic record keeping. Work in this field ranges from data entry to software installation and training.
While a two year degree can open doors, additional education may be necessary to secure top jobs. Professionals with a tech background or medical background may be able to offer additional flexibility in the workplace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that most professionals earn over $32,000 per year. Those with advanced degrees, prior experience, or a more technical job profile may earn more. In addition to the completion of education, states have specific certification and licensure requirements. For more information about local chapters of professional organizations which typically provide the most accurate data regarding local opportunities and certification requirements, see the BLS Medical Records information.
While Pharmacists generally answer patient questions and deal directly with general patient education, a pharmacy technician is primarily responsible for filling the prescriptions, compounding/mixing medicine (as in medicinal ointments), labeling bottles and placing phone orders to distributors. In hospital settings and assisted living facilities, the pharmacy tech has virtually no direct contact with patients, as a nurse is generally in charge of delivering medicine to the appropriate unit or ward.
States have varying licensing requirements for pharmacy technicians. Additionally, regional demand will affect the competition for top jobs. It is possible to enter the field with a two year degree, but additional education may bring new opportunities. According to the BLS, the annual salary of a pharmacy technician is in the mid $30,000’s. For students and career changers interested in this career path, the National Pharmacy Technician Association offers a variety of useful information including networking opportunities and a job board.
3. Medical and Health Service Managers
For professionals looking to transition out of a field such as nursing or radiology and into a health management position, a number of options are available. Whether it is developing a specialty in finances, data management, staff training, or facilities management, a wide range of management positions in healthcare are available. Most health care managers earn over $80,000 according to BLS data. Advanced education may be required for some jobs.
At the same time, since jobs in healthcare are growing at such a fast rate, managers who can do the job and are willing to take classes while performing at the management level may demonstrate a savvy way to secure top positions. Depending upon area of expertise, a number of professional organizations are available to help professionals connect, find mentors, and explore employment opportunities.
The recent growth in health care jobs is staggering. For the decade from 2010 to 2020 the BLS reports that 20.5 million new jobs will be needed in healthcare and social service fields to keep up with societal demands. For professionals who want to use their talents in the healthcare field but who do not have a calling to work directly with patients, a number of rewarding career paths also exist.