Introduction
Did you know that healthcare is the fastest-growing industry in the US? However, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the cost of attending a medical school for a median of four years is around a quarter of a million dollars.
However, the good news is that there is an alternative pathway to giving your services to the healthcare industry, namely, opting for healthcare jobs that don’t require medical school.
So, what are these pathways? Let’s have a glance.
Before starting, here’s a guide to the list of hospital jobs that do not require prior experience. Give it a read.
The Highest Paying Healthcare Jobs that Don’t Require Med School
Nurse Anesthetists
On top of our list of healthcare jobs that don’t require med school is the profession of nurse anesthetist.
These professionals provide pain management and anesthesia to the surgical patients. The nurse anesthetist stays with the patient during the surgery to monitor vital signs and modify the anesthetic as needed. Nurse anesthetists must get a master’s degree, a license, and certification before practicing. To remain active, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) must complete a Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program every four years.
According to Indeed, the median annual wage is around $232,709 or $168 per hour.
Surgical Technologist
Checking the sterility of the surgical rooms is their job. Furthermore, they also assist surgeons by disinfecting incision sites on patients. Moreover, they also assist surgical procedures by handling the instruments and taking stock of the surgeon’s tools.
Applicants must join a training program to be eligible. This process might take a few months, or they could opt for an associate’s degree, which typically lasts around two years. Furthermore, they have the option to become certified in the field. However, this process is not mandatory but will leave a good impression.
According to Indeed, their median annual wage is around $98,973 per year or $49.49 per hour.
Physician Assistants
A physician assistant is our top choice for healthcare jobs that don’t require medical med school.
Physician assistants (PAs) have diverse roles in healthcare, such as checking patients, finding out what’s wrong, giving medicine, and explaining test results. They need a master’s degree and a license to work, and they usually work under a doctor’s guidance, though the level of supervision changes by state. PAs should have significantly increased job opportunities compared to other professions mentioned.
According to Indeed, their annual median salary is around $190,334 or $81.74 per hour.
Know more about Physician assistants here.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
This profession should stand top among healthcare jobs that don’t require medical med school.
These professionals work under an occupational therapist and assist patients in recovery. They help patients recover skills they lost due to injury, trauma, or illness.
Patients who might come for treatment can range from kids with learning challenges to grown-ups with illnesses such as Parkinson’s or individuals recuperating from strokes or other brain injuries. Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) play a crucial role by guiding patients to use specialized equipment tailored to their requirements. Moreover, they assist patients in performing exercises that enhance their mobility and flexibility. Additionally, they motivate patients and keep track of their improvement.
According to Indeed, the annual median wage is around $78,064 or $33.69 per hour.
Medical Perfusionist
While someone undergoes surgery, a perfusionist manages their blood flow and breathing using special machines like cardiopulmonary bypass devices. To become a perfusionist, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or some courses in biology, chemistry, and anatomy to qualify for a perfusion program.
According to Indeed, their median annual salary is around $157,687 or $52.50 per hour.
Nurse Practitioners
Before starting, are you a new nurse practitioner looking for job-hunting tips? Click here to know more.
Nurse practitioners occupy a significant position among the list of healthcare jobs that don’t require med school.
Nurse practitioners serve almost the same purpose as physicians. Moreover, they can also serve as primary care providers. Nurse practitioners usually specialize in one age group, like kids or older adults. They do check-ups, give treatments, and talk to patients about staying healthy.
According to Indeed, nurse practitioners have an average median salary of $125,499 or $93.23 per hour.
PS: Want to know the most common career changes for nurses? Click here for details.
Home Health and Hospice Aides
The list of healthcare jobs that don’t require medical school should include these utmost professions.
Home health and hospice aides take care of people at home. They do tasks like cleaning and helping with personal care. They may also assist with exercises and making sure patients feel comfortable. They spend time with patients and help with daily activities.
According to Indeed, home aides have a median annual salary of $37,457 or $16.07 per hour.
Hospice aides have an annual median salary of $46,818 or $20.10 per hour.
Medical Records Coder
The medical records coder occupies a significant position among the list of healthcare jobs that don’t require med school.
Coders ensure that diagnoses and procedures are categorized correctly when bills and insurance claims are processed. They should know medical terms, the specifics of services, and insurance companies’ rules to do this job.
According to Indeed, the annual median salary is $41,238 or $17.72 per hour.
Ambulance Paramedic
These also make a part of healthcare jobs that don’t require med school.
When someone calls for help in an emergency, paramedics rush to the scene. They give first aid, take patients to the hospital, and update hospital staff on how the patient is doing. “Paramedic” is the top certification for ambulance care. What a certified paramedic can do depends on the rules in their state.
According to Indeed, their median average salary is $48,192 or $26.74 per hour.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Diagnostic medical sonographers, also known as sonographers, utilize special machines and sound waves to create and analyze images known as ultrasounds. These ultrasounds are employed to assess various health issues within the body and to monitor pregnancies.
According to Indeed, they have a median annual salary of $134,826 or $90.16 per hour.
Are you looking for a job but can’t find one? Here is a list of job search mistakes that you might be making.
Conclusion
To conclude, healthcare is a noble profession. However, if you want to work in healthcare without a medical degree, this blog guides you to the list of healthcare jobs that don’t require med school. Moreover, it gives insights into the degree required or the average salary of the respective field. Furthermore, it details the responsibilities of the profession under consideration. So, give it a thorough read to gain insights about the healthcare jobs that don’t require med school.
Additionally, let’s tell you about a top-notch platform that offers easy search options and a user-friendly interface. HealthCareTalentLink (HCTL) provides viable options for searching for healthcare jobs and saving money when it comes to finding your dream job. Sign up today!