5 Healthcare Careers That You Can Learn On The Job

Posted by in Healthcare




A bachelor's degree isn't for everyone. Some people don't want to be stuck with large student loans, others have to care for children and some are just not college material. For those who don't attend college, the challenge is to find a career that will allow them to earn a descent living, offer benefits and provide some sort of job security. The best way to do this is to find a job that will provide training while you work.



For example, there are many entry-level positions in the healthcare industry that will provide on-the-job training. Healthcare is a steadily growing field that offers high paying jobs with long-term job security. In fact, the BLS predicts that the medical field will continue to grow through 2018. If you're interested in healthcare, here are 5 careers that you can learn on the job:



Dental Assistant - A dental assistant has a wide range of jobs and they are always in demand. They work as a helper to a dentist and learn to provide basic dental services, along with keeping records and other clerical duties. Although many people elect to attend a dental assistant program, there is no requirement to do so. There are many dentists who would be willing to hire an enthusiastic person who is willing to learn.



Pharmacy Technicians -  Pharmacy technicians receive prescription request, enter in patient information, help keep records and wait on customers, among other things. It's a great job and most technicians are trained on the job. There is no standard training requirements or certifications needed.



Physical Therapy Aides - A physical therapy aide helps the therapist provide treatments and procedures to patients. It's an exciting job that helps people recover from injuries and increase their mobility. Most physical therapists hire physical therapy aids and give them in depth, clinical training on the job.



Medical Assistants - Although many people enroll in medical assisting programs, there isn't an educational requirement. Medical assistants help to prepare patients and exam rooms. They help take medical histories and do many other things to help a medical office run smoothly. In addition, this career is expected to be in demand over the next few years.



Medical Secretaries - Medical secretaries keep up-to-date patient files and are responsible for many important administrative and clerical duties. Most medical secretaries start out in entry-level positions with no training. As they work, they acquire more advanced skills and move on to higher paying positions.



The healthcare industry offers something for everyone. Even those who don't have college degrees.

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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks for the great comments. If you're having trouble finding these jobs online, maybe you should go to you local area hospitals and visit their human resources department. Often, they have job postings for open positions at the hospital and with partnered medical offices. @Lucille, volunteering is a good way to get experience when no one will give you a chance. It's not ideal, but you can continue your job search while your doing it. It might take time, but you are only losing your own time, which is going to go by anyway. Why not spend it trying to improve your job options?
  • jeraldine m
    jeraldine m
    very good article and also informing...
  • Teresa K
    Teresa K
    I've been looking for jobs on a lot of websites. I have not found one medical assistant, pharmacy tech,or dental assistant job position without asking for 1 to 2 years experience or to be certified. I have a lot of experience in laboratory job field. These positions sound great if I could just find one of them.
  • Lucille D
    Lucille D
    I am a certified Medical Assistant with a GPA of 3.94 (just graduated) and can't find a job. Everyone wants experienced MAs, so what do recent graduates do? I'm thinking of volunteering somewhere just to gain the experience. Not ideal!
  • Sondra O.
    Sondra O.
    Great article and I am definately interested in Dental Asst., Pharmacy Tech, Medical Asst., & Medical Secretary.  The  Healthcare Industry is rapidly growing & to be able to parttake in on-the-job training is and would be excellent if given the opportunity.
  • Joyce V
    Joyce V
    Interesting but what does the employer want and need.
  • Carol D
    Carol D
    I decided to change career from the office environment. I recently completed a Certified Nursing Assistant course for a new start. All positions I'm interested in and applied to want CNA experience or Medical Assistant experience. I applied anyway hoping my recent training and knowledge would be enough for an entry level position in healthcare. How do I, with a good work history, wanting to change career get my foot in the door for a healthcare opportunity?
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Depending on state regulations, you may have to get some certification for these jobs. In general, there are companies who will work with the right candidate to get the training needed. With healthcare jobs, a good place to start is the HR department at your area hospitals. They typically have information not only on jobs at the hospitals but also with their partnered medical staff.
  • Emilia c
    Emilia c
    this article is right on the money but some people instead of working to learn only think work for  money and complain of working too hardwithout thinking in the benefit and work for money instead of    work to learn
  • Angela B
    Angela B
    This article is fine. Very good for the general public. I need some help;I am almost 61 years old, and now have many restrictions for working.I have been a great Labor and Delivery RN for 31 years, I had to have back and knee surgery. I need some ideas other than what I've come up with. I have been looking on several search engines, etc.,for Telephonic Nursing, and 'jobs outside the hospital', I can no longer work in my field or in a hospital.They do not cotton to 'light duty'.Help!
  • Denise M
    Denise M
    I totally agree. I have taken a Phlebotomy course after retiring from the Postal Sevice in 2009. As of today I have not been able to obtain a job. I don't know whether it was the type of school I attended (which was a small medical training school) or the fact that I keep facing the problem of not enough expierence. This has not turned out like I planned which would have been great.  I am a nationally certified phlebotomist.
  • Autumn K
    Autumn K
    Most employers want Pharmacy Technicians to be AT LEAST state certified. The state of California hinges their dispensation of a tech registration on whether or not the technician has PTCB certification. I lucked out. I have been a tech for 20+ years and took the PTCE to get my Certification. THEN the state of CA sent me my registration. I do not think that it's all that easy to get a pharmacy tech positon without the PTCB certification.
  • Evelyn H
    Evelyn H
    I think it's great to know that a degree is not needed for some of these positions. Currently I'm enrolled at Allen School of Health Sciences for medical billing and coding and would like to get a head start on working in the medical field. I graduate in January, so my search for a new rewarding career has begun.
  • Frances G
    Frances G
    Maybe in some states, NOT in OR or WA.Requires training, license, experience.PT-Aide- I have been looking for 9 months-requires receptionist/ computer EXPERIENCE-WA and OR. Major computer/receoptionist skills plus being a QUICK learner for everthing else.  Medical secretaries-REQUIRED- on the job EXPERIENCE of one year or more. REQUIRED-proficiency in office skills/EXCEL, MICRO SOFT, billing, multi-phones.
  • Daisy C
    Daisy C
    I agree even though I have the college experience, but hands on and learning as you train becomes a life long memory that no books or class training.
  • Paul L
    Paul L
    Very nice thought.  Wish there were more options noted.       Thankyou.
  • Lorna S
    Lorna S
    I am interested in working and learning at the same time. I really need to get a career but i have to work while i am doing so.I think this is a very good opportunity.
  • LaDerria W
    LaDerria W
    This is useful information. I was not aware of this prior to reading this article. There are two jobs that I am actually interested in. Great article
  • tina g
    tina g
    I have seen several pharmacy technician jobs and they require 6 months experience. i have a bachelors in health information management.
  • Deborah G
    Deborah G
    I think this is valuable information, i knew pharmacy techs have on the job training but didnt know so does medical assistant, which is what i really want to do. thank you for the info!
  • Diwanetra H
    Diwanetra H
    I feel that this information is extremely helpful ,and that there should be more information like this at the world's fingertip. Just so that people will not give up so easily, because they are afraid there is no place for them in the "working world" other than fast food place and other minimum wage jobs.
  • Rosemarie R
    Rosemarie R
    I have 15+ yrs of senior administrative assistant experience and am 3/4 of the way through my Health Information Technology Associate degree. I would love to have a break into the healthcare industry now that i have some healthcare terminology and HIPPA guidelines knowledge. However, all of the positions I see posted ask for a pre-healthcare experience. Don't you think I could transfer my previous experience with my knowledge of H.I.T. and break into the health care industry.
  • Camelia B
    Camelia B
    I absolutely agree with this site. Not everyone has the time to put into school although I love school. I would love to learn on the job.Thank you very much.
  • THERESA G
    THERESA G
    I like it
  • Demetra D
    Demetra D
    This sounds like something for me to make a change.

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