Have you wanted to work in the medical field, but have hesitant of going through several years of training?
Below, we have compiled a list of well-paying healthcare jobs that you can begin with less than two years of training.
A career in healthcare can be very rewarding, and there is a need for medical professionals in every area of the country.
For those seeking swift entry into the medical field, exploring healthcare jobs with little schooling can pave the way to fulfilling careers. If you have considered a career in the medical industry, and you want to start your career as quickly as possible, there are several options for you that require only a year or two of training.
1. Medical Assistant
Medical assistants work alongside physicians, performing a wide range of clinical and administrative tasks. In the realm of medical jobs that require little schooling, medical assistants play a pivotal role, aiding physicians with various clinical and administrative duties. They prep patients for a doctor to see them, take vitals, schedule patients, and record medical information. About 57% of medical assistants work in physician’s offices, with many others working in outpatient care centers, and chiropractor’s offices, and clinics, among other places.
Campus, formerly known as MTI College, has a medical assistant training program that is about 42 weeks in length.
Note: All Job data in this article is courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.
Education Required: Certification program from accredited institution. Usually less than two years.
Projected Job Growth: 18% between 2020 and 2030.
2. Phlebotomy Technician
A phlebotomy technician conducts blood draws on patients, for testing and diagnosis. Phlebotomists work mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctors’ offices. Most states require phlebotomy technicians to pass an exam before drawing blood; California requires PT’s to take an approved training program and pass a certification exam. Phlebotomy technicians are among the healthcare professionals who can embark on rewarding careers with just 2 years of college, particularly in states like California where approved training programs are essential for certification.
Campus has an 16 week certification program for phlebotomy certification for experienced medical professionals.
Education Required: Must pass a certificate program in California and three other states. Requirements to draw blood varies by remaining states.
Projected Job Growth: 22% between 2020 and 2030.
3. Medical Biller and Coder
Medical coders transcribe a patient visit into a series of universally recognized codes that tell exactly what happened during a patient visit. In the realm of healthcare jobs with little schooling, medical coders play a crucial role, translating patient visits into standardized codes that detail their medical history and treatments. These medical codes are used by medical facilities, hospitals, physician’s offices, and insurance companies to create a record of a patient’s visit and submit an accurate insurance claim. Each medical code has strict guidelines on how they can be used, so knowing which code corresponds to a detail of the patient visit is important.
Medical billers take the codes and the report they make up and submit this as a claim to the correct insurance companies. The biller also follows up with the insurance company and the patients to make sure the medical facility is compensated properly by each party. They also ensure that the patient is billed correctly and that timely payments are made on their account.
Some employers may have billing and coding done by a singular person; larger employers may divide these into two separate positions.
Campus has a medical billing and coding program that is 54 weeks in length.
Education Required: Take an approved program, pass the certification exams. Medical billing and coding programs are usually about one year in length.
Job Growth Outlook: About 9% between 2020 and 2030.
4. Medical Administrative Assistant
Medical administrative assistants perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence. Within the spectrum of medical jobs that require little schooling, medical administrative assistants excel in handling various secretarial tasks, from appointment scheduling to medical chart organization.
Education Required: In California, must complete accredited program. Other states may require high school diploma, program less than one year, or two-year program.
Job Growth Outlook: About 8% between 2020 and 2030.
5. Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician performs pharmacy-related functions, working collaboratively with a licensed pharmacist. These healthcare providers help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. Pharmacy technicians, requiring only 2 years of college, are instrumental in facilitating the dispensing of prescription medication, serving both customers and healthcare professionals alike. Pharmacy technicians most often work in retail pharmacy, such as in drug stores or grocery stores, or in hospitals.
Education Required: In California, Pharmacy Technician licenses are issued by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Applicants must complete an approved education program which includes hands-on training. These can include an Associate degree program in Pharmacy Technology, or an approved diploma or certificate program that consists of at least 240 hours of instruction. A criminal background check may also be required.
Job Growth Outlook: About 4% between 2020 and 2030.
6. Medical Transcriptionist
A medical transcriptionist listen to dictated voice notes from doctors and other healthcare workers and convert them into written documents. They may also edit medical documents using speech recognition software. As part of healthcare jobs with little schooling, medical transcriptionists contribute by transcribing and editing medical documents, ensuring accurate records using advanced software tools. Some files are unedited speech to text, and the transcriptionist will clean this up and create a finished document. Medical transcriptionists make sure there is a well-documented record of the diagnosis, treatment plan, and follow-up care for a patient. Each medical facility may have a specific template or documentation style where medical records can be accessed and easily read easily or sent to another medical facility.
Most often, medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, doctor's offices, or for third-parties that provide medical transcription to medical offices and facilities.
Education Required: Medical Transcriptionists must complete a training program at a postsecondary school, a two-year Associate degree program, or one-year certificate program.
Job Growth Outlook: Projected loss of -7% between 2020 and 2030.
7. Nursing Assistant
Nursing assistants provide care to patients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The training programs are usually relatively short. Among healthcare jobs that require little schooling, nursing assistants undergo relatively short training programs, preparing them for vital roles in patient care under the guidance of registered nurses. A nursing assistant provides indirect care and performs general tasks for patients. Some examples of routine tasks include moving patients to examination and operating rooms, maintaining patient’s rooms, setting up equipment, storing and organizing medical supplies, and reporting on any changes to a patient's condition.
Education Required: In California, nursing assistants must complete a California Department of Public Health (CDPH) training program with at least 60 hours of classroom hours and 100 hours of clinical hands-on supervised training. Most other states require nursing assistants to complete a state-approved program and pass a certification exam.
Job Growth Outlook: Growth of 8% between 2020 and 2030.
8. Ultrasound Technologist / Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers are usually required to have an Associate’s degree or certification from an approved program at a postsecondary institution. An ultrasound technician or medical sonographer uses imaging equipment to create images of a patient’s internal organs. The sonogram equipment uses high-frequency sound waves to create these images. The sonograms and ultrasound images help physicians diagnose and evaluate different conditions, including heart disease, tumors, cancer, or in the case of ultrasound imaging, pregnancy. Ultrasound technologists, requiring 2 years of college, harness imaging equipment to produce vital sonograms aiding physicians in diagnosing conditions ranging from heart disease to pregnancy.
Education Required: In most states, students must complete an Associates of Science degree program, or higher, and pass a certification exam. The most recognized certificate is from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Some employers may also recognize certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
Job Growth Outlook: Growth of 14% between 2020 and 2030.
9. Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist works under the supervision of a dentist to provide preventative dental care to patients. Tooth cleanings, dental examinations, and oral evaluations are some of the tasks that dental hygienists may perform. Dental hygienists, typically completing two-year Associate degree programs, contribute significantly to preventative dental care through tasks such as tooth cleanings and oral evaluations. A dental hygienist may examine patients for signs of oral diseases like gingivitis and help facilitate oral hygiene care and instruction to patients. Almost all dental hygienists work in a dental office.
Education Required: In California, applicants must:
Graduate from a board approved and accredited Dental Hygiene program.
Successfully complete the Western Regional Examination Board (WREB) exam.
Complete approved courses on administration of local anesthesia, soft tissue curretage, and nitrous oxide.
Pass the National written examination.
Most dental hygienist programs are two-year Associate degree programs.
Job Growth Outlook: 11% gain between 2020 and 2030.
10 Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) work directly under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
They help treat patients to help them recover from accidents or long-term illnesses that have incapacitated or immobilized parts of their body. Some of the treatments they help administer include exercise, movement, therapeutic massage, balance, and other kinetic and motion-based therapies. Physical therapist assistants, after completing an approved Physical Therapy Education program, aid in administering diverse treatments such as therapeutic massage and motion-based therapies, facilitating patient recovery. Pain management techniques will also be part of the PTA’s duties.
A physical therapist assistant will also work alongside patients to plan and monitor treatment plans, evaluate results, and document their progress.
Education Required: In California, Physical Therapist Assistants must,
Complete an approved Physical Therapy Education program.
Submit an Application for Licensure to the California Physical Therapy Board (CPTB).
Complete California testing requirements -currently the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and California Law Examination (CAL-LAW).
Renew your license every two years.
Job Growth Outlook: 32% growth between 2020 and 2030.
11. Home Health Aide
Home health aides don’t provide physical therapy, skilled nursing care, or occupational therapy, but often observe their client’s physical and mental health. They report on any change in conditions to a registered nurse or other health care professional. Most health care aides work full time, though some part time positions are not uncommon. A home health aide usually works in their client’s home, a group home, or day service program.
Home health aides, with relatively minimal schooling requirements, primarily focus on monitoring the conditions of their care recipients, offering vital support to individuals facing disabilities or chronic illnesses. Their main role is to help monitor conditions of their care recipients, usually people with disabilities, chronic illness, or other conditions that keep them from doing daily activities.
Some of the specific tasks a home health aide may be responsible for are:
- Assisting with bathing, dressing, meal preparation and eating, grooming, mobility, and going to the bathroom.
- Monitoring vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.
- Keeping an eye on client’s physical and mental condition, energy levels, exercise and activity, appetite, and how much they go to the bathroom.
- Take care of emergency situations like a slip and fall, accident, stroke, or heart attack.
Education Required: In California, these are the steps to become a certified HHA.
Successfully complete a training program with a minimum of 120 hours, or an equivalent competency program approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Complete a minimum of 20 Clinical Hours.
Obtain criminal record clearance documentation.
Pass formal certification exam and register with CDPH.
License renewal is every two years. If a HHA goes four years without renewing their license, they must complete a training program and start the steps over again.
Job Growth Outlook: 33% growth projected between 2020 and 2030.
Start Your Medical Career with Training from Campus
Campus offers a variety of healthcare vocational training programs at our Sacramento campus. These can help you start a viable career in the medical field with the proper training and certification.
Our Medical Assistant certification program is 42 weeks long, and trains students for NCMA certification. We also have a Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy Certification program that prepares students for MA and CPT1 certification in 54 weeks.
If you are currently a healthcare worker and only need to complete phlebotomy certification for California, our Phlebotomy program can get you certified in 16 weeks.
For students wanting to complete a program where most of the coursework can be done remotely from home, with minimal in-classroom days required, our Medical Billing and Coding program prepares students for certification in 54 weeks. This program gets students ready to take the CMRS and CCA exams for medical billing and coding certification.
If you have any questions about our training programs, financial aid, prerequisites, or attending Campus, you can contact our Admissions department via contact form or by calling (916) 339-1500. We’re here to help you prepare for a new career.