Have you been thinking about starting a healthcare career — without attending medical school?
There are a variety of options for aspiring healthcare professionals who begin their careers with a certificate or diploma.
The best medical careers for people without extended medical training include a host of allied health, administrative, and therapy careers providing varying degrees of support for medical professionals like doctors, nurses, and specialists working in hospitals, surgery centers, and outpatient clinical environments.
Incoming medical professionals should note that there may be additional formal, clinical, or on-the-job training required to work in an official capacity.
5 Best Medical Careers to Start with a Certificate or Diploma
Starting a career in healthcare with a certificate or diploma is easier when you know where to begin.
There are a variety of well-paying medical careers you can start with a certificate or diploma.
The best medical careers to start without advanced medical credentials require incoming professionals to have knowledge or experience in providing direct patient care, administrative support for doctor’s offices and hospitals, and electronic health records management skills.
If you already have the skills needed to begin a fast-tracked medical career, you are one step ahead of the game!
Aspiring healthcare professionals with a high school diploma or career certificate can their medical careers within a few weeks to just under twenty-four months after honing their medical skills and completing required on-the-job training.
The following five careers represent some of the best examples of well-paying healthcare careers to start with limited training, education, and experience.
Some of the exciting roles below even offer on-the-job training for recent high school grads, career switchers, and those seeking to make quick entry into the medical field.
1. Certified Nursing Assistant
About the Career
CNAs also known as “nursing aides” work in a variety of healthcare environments and homes to provide hands-on care to sick, injured, and elderly patients.
Their primary duties involve supporting their patients with compassionate companionship and helping them with everyday activities, including bathing, grooming, and dressing.
America’s BLS says they expect the need for CNAs working in doctor’s offices, assisted living facilities, outpatient care facilities, hospitals, and urgent care centers to grow about as fast as average for all professions.
Educational Requirements
Entering the healthcare field as a Certified Nursing Assistant requires a few weeks of formal training to earn certification.
Certified Nursing Assistants typically complete 4 – 12 week state-approved training programs and acquire certification through state-level agencies.
Some employers may also require incoming CNAs to complete on-the-job training.
Where CNAs Work
Nursing Care Facilities, Hospitals, Home Healthcare Agencies, Group Homes, Institutions
Average Annual Salary: $39,000.00 per year.
2. Medical Assistant
About the Career
Aspiring healthcare professionals seeking to enter the field to take on roles related to administrative patient care can become Medical Assistants.
Medical Assistants provide basic patient care by taking and recording vital signs at hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and urgent care centers.
Their multi-faceted role includes basic patient care and front-office administration for creating and managing patient health records using electronic health records systems.
Educational Requirements
Becoming a Medical Assistant requires a few weeks of training after meeting the minimum requirement of earning a high school diploma.
Interested candidates can search for certification programs offered by local colleges, schools, universities, and workforce development centers.
Where Medical Assistants Work
Doctor’s Offices, Hospitals, Urgent Care Centers, Medical and Research Laboratories
Average Annual Salary: $42,000.00 per year
3. Home Health Aide
About the Career
Home Health Aides provide hands-on care and support for elderly, ill, and injured patients in their homes.
The role of HHAs includes supporting their patients with a variety of daily living skills, offering companionship, and additional duties including light housekeeping and cooking.
These front-line medical professionals can work through an agency or as independent contractors who find and service their clients.
Educational Requirements
In most states, becoming a Home Health Aide requires a foundational high school education.
Local workforce development centers, colleges, universities, and online training programs offer formal training and certification options for aspiring Aides.
State licensure or state certification is typically not required to work in this role.
Where Home Health Aides Work
Private Homes, Group Homes, Hospice Facilities, Independently
Average Annual Salary: $33,530.00 per year
4. EKG Technician
About the Career
EKG Technicians, also known as Cardiovascular Technicians, are integral components of America’s complex healthcare system.
These diagnostic medical professionals administer cardiovascular tests that help doctors, nurses, and medical professionals diagnose, treat, and prevent heart-related conditions.
People working in this role are responsible for providing life-saving support services for injured, ill, and elderly patients.
EKG Techs work directly with patients.
They provide advice, comfort, and support for imaging patients and prepare, clean, and maintain cardiovascular equipment needed to perform accurate diagnostic tests.
Educational Requirements
Aspiring EKG technicians can earn their credentials and on-the-job training by participating in programs offered through local educational institutions, online EKG training, or by earning a high school diploma with relevant years of hands-on experience in the field.
Where EKG Technicians Work
Outpatient Care Facilities, Hospitals, Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories, Urgent Care Facilities
Average Annual Salary: $66,170.00 per year
5. Sterile Processing Technician
About the Career
Sterile Processing Technicians fall into the category of Surgical Assistants and Technologists who work closely with medical professionals to clean, disinfect, and sterilize surgical tools and equipment.
Educational Requirements
The role of Sterile Processing Technician requires incoming candidates to complete formal education and training that can include classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.
Incoming SPTs can get training through local educational providers, online, or through hospitals and surgery centers offering on-the-job training.
Where Sterile Processing Technicians Work
Hospitals, Outpatient Surgery Centers, Veterinary Offices, Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories.
Average Annual Salary: $60,370.00 per year
Sources
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists – BLS
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm
Home Health Aide – BLS
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm
Medical Assistants – BLS
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
Nursing Assistants – BLS
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311131.htm
Surgical Assistants and Technologists – BLS
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does it Take to Begin a Career in Healthcare with a Certificate or Diploma?
Future healthcare technicians can begin a career working side-by-side with top-level medical professionals like doctors, nurses, surgeons, and specialists within a few weeks to two years.
The amount of time it will take to earn a certificate or diploma in your desired field depends on several factors.
Key factors to consider include program availability, full-time vs. part-time attendance, and the amount of time dedicated to completing self-paced or online certificate and diploma programs.
Are There Online Programs That Teach The Skills Needed to Earn a Certificate or Diploma in Healthcare?
Yes!
There are a variety of distance learning and self-paced programs that allow students to get professional allied health training online.
Interested students should research their program of interest to ensure they meet the entry and time commitment requirements before applying to a program.
What Are The Average Annual Salaries of Healthcare Professionals with a Certificate or Diploma?
Salary averages vary by specialty, location, certification, education, and years of related experience in the field.
Candidates who opt to work for large corporate, government, or military employers can see higher entry-level pay rates than those working for smaller companies and those seeking allied health employment in sparsely populated rural areas.
The average annual salaries of healthcare professionals without advanced medical training fall within the range of $30,000 – $60,000.00 per year.