Associate’s Degree Options in Healthcare

If you want to make the switch to a healthcare career but are unsure of whether you have the time and money to make it happen, look no further. We are going to talk about five degree options that can be completed in just about two years, and which will prepare you for a career in the healthcare industry.

1.Associate’s degree in health information technology (HIT)

Health information technology is one of the few healthcare professions that do not require direct personal care of a patient. Health information technicians organize and manage medical data and records. They are responsible for making sure records are accurate and secure. This information can be used for patient assessment, treatment histories, and to determine patterns of disease and treatment outcomes.

2.Median salaries:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a healthcare information technician was $32,350 as of May 2010, depending on location, experience, and education.

Associate’s degree in medical assisting

Medical assistants are responsible for the smooth functioning of physicians’ and other health practitioners’ offices. For this purpose they perform a variety of clinical and administrative tasks. Several accredited standard on-ground and online colleges now offer associate’s degrees in medical assisting or similar programs that prepare students for medical assistant positions.

Median salaries: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a medical assistant was $28,860 as of May 2010,depending on location, experience, and education.

3.Associate’s degree in respiratory therapy Respiratory therapists provide medical attention to patients of all ages with breathing difficulties or cardiopulmonary disorders. Their job requires them to examine patients, perform diagnostic tests, assess medical conditions, and create treatment plans. In order to become a respiratory therapist, at minimum you need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy.You also have the option of pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Median salaries: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a respiratory therapist was $54,280 as of May 2010, depending on location, experience, and education.

Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) An associate’s degree in nursing prepares a student to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)in order to become a registered nurse. Nursing students at the associate’s level are taught courses in thefundamentals in nursing, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, and more. Students always have the option of continuing their education with a bachelor’s, master’s, or a doctorate in nursing if they feel the need. Median salaries: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a registered nurse was$64,690 as of May 2010, depending on location, experience, and education.

4. Associate’s degree in surgical technology Surgical technologists are also called surgicaltechs and operating room technicians. Their duties include preparing operating rooms for surgery, arranging equipment, and assisting in surgical operations. In order to become a surgical technologist, a student needs an associate’s degree in surgical technology.

Median salaries: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a surgical technologist was $39,920 as of May 2010, depending on location, experience, and education.

5.Which college to attend If you have decided to switch jobs in the later years of your career, you might not find it feasible to give up your current job and pursue a degree full time. In such a case, you might want to consider pursuing a degree from an accredited online college. For example, Independence University is an accredited online college that offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in healthcare and business. Everything from student reviews to complaints about Independence University can be found easily on the Internet, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Before applying to any college, be it on-ground or online, do your research well to maximize your chance of great results.

Resources:

1) bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-5

2) bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-5

3) bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Respiratory-therapists.htm#tab-5

4) bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm#tab-5

5) bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm#tab-5