Careers in the Healthcare Industry That You Can Start Straight Out of High School

Many people nowadays pursue careers in the healthcare field because of the overall benefits the healthcare field provides. While other industries have recently been facing layoffs, the medical community has continued to thrive with more workers flocking to the field and new job positions opening up that didn’t exist even a year ago. If you are thinking about changing careers because your job is not fulfilling, or if you are a graduating high school student wanting to enter the healthcare field, there are a number of in-demand entry-level positions available. Receptionist If you are the kind of person who is organized and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where you can help serve your community by being a helpful resource, pursuing a job as a receptionist in a medical facility is a good introduction to the medical world. Receptionists in doctor’s offices and hospitals answer incoming phone calls, schedule appointments for patients, and receive on-the-job training on navigating the electronic medical record or EMR, and may learn basic medical terminology and insurance regulations. These skills can help you in the future as they may lead to a promotion down the line. Phlebotomist Another great entry-level position for a person wanting to get their feet wet in the medical setting is working as a phlebotomist. Job opportunities are plentiful, and the best thing about working as a laboratory professional is the flexibility in shifts. In a hospital setting, they can work days, evenings, or overnights. Generally, you will have to complete a certificate program in phlebotomy to gain entry into the workforce. The schooling is very short and usually lasts anywhere from three to six months. Home Healthcare Aide If you love being hands-on with patients and enjoy assisting people with their daily living tasks, perhaps being a caregiver is for you. Caregivers can work in a variety of settings and with diverse populations, such as with elderly patients or pediatric patients. Becoming a home healthcare aide is very easy. Many home health companies have training programs to become a home health aide, and these training programs are offered at no cost to you. Medical Transcriptionist If you enjoy typing and learning about various medical diagnoses, becoming a medical transcriptionist might be of interest to you. Medical transcriptionists listen to recorded audio from physicians regarding a patient’s visit, which is then typed out and becomes a part of the patient’s medical record. To become a medical transcriptionist, you will need a medical transcription certificate, and these certificate programs are relatively short, lasting about three to six months. You will learn a variety of interesting subject matters such as basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and common medication types depending on the specialty you choose to work in. Most medical transcriptionists work right from home these days, and hours are very flexible. The healthcare field has been recession-proof for quite some time, and with many openings and not enough personnel to fill those job openings, there is no better time than now to get started on your journey to becoming a medical professional.