Just about everyone dreams of working in the medical field at some point in time, but few people are willing to go through the 10+ years of education it takes to become a doctor. Believe it or not, there are a number of jobs in medicine that do not require much training at all. You may not make as much money as a doctor would in this kind of career, but you will still earn a decent living in the long run. Here are X easy careers in the medical field.
Medical Assistant
A medical assistant is essentially a secretary for the medical industry. This person has to be familiar with the paperwork that frequents hospitals and doctor’s offices, and he or she has to manage the clerical duties in those places. Some administrative assistants will take medical terminology classes to become medical assistants, but most people will pursue a degree with this career in mind. With a simple two-year associate’s degree, you could start working as a medical assistant.
Licensed Practical Nurse
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) doesn’t have quite as many job duties as a registered nurse. He or she may still take vital signs and manage patient records, but that is typically under the supervision of an RN. You could actually become an LPN with a one-year diploma, but a lot of students will complete their associate’s degree in nursing before pursuing work like this. Either way, you could start working as a nurse in no time, and then you could always go back to school to become an RN later on.
Medical Biller and Coder
Medical billing and coding specialists are responsible for contacting insurance companies on behalf of healthcare institutions. These businesses rely on insurance payments as a primary source of income, so they are willing to pay individuals to do nothing more than contact the companies to get their funds. You will need to complete at least two years of education to become a medical biller and coder, but then you can find work just about anywhere. The pay to come from this career may surprise you.
Before you give up on the idea of working in medicine, you may want to review the many entry-level positions available in the field. Any one of them could turn out to be a perfect opportunity for you. Whether you use these as transitions to higher paying careers or you remain in this line of work for the rest of your life, you can enter the medical profession in less than two years. Are you ready to start your future?
About the Author: Rebecca Walters is a licensed practical nurse on her way to becoming an RN. She is currently attending school on a nursing scholarship, and she is scheduled to graduate in 2013.
