4 answers
4
Updated 502 views

What is a career in the medical field that doesn't take much school ?

Are there any that don't need any school.

healthcare careeradvice careerexploration cna medicalfield futureplanning jobopportunities healthcarecareers entryleveljob phlebotomy careeroptions healthcareeducation medicalasistant skillbasedcareers
Answer This
4

4 answers

1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Paul’s Answer

I usually recommend trying to achieve as much education as you can attain, but the following are examples of health care careers that require a smaller amount of education. These include the lowest educational barriers, typically requiring only a high school diploma and basic certifications like CPR/BLS.

Home Health Aide (HHA): Provides basic care to elderly or disabled patients in their homes, including assistance with daily tasks like bathing and dressing.
Education: High school diploma; many agencies provide on-the-job training.

Medical Administrative Assistant / Medical Secretary: Manages front-desk duties such as scheduling appointments, handling billing, and updating medical records.
Education: High school diploma; certifications are available but not always required.

Patient Transport Worker: Safely moves patients between hospital rooms, testing areas, and surgical units.
Education: High school diploma plus employer-led training.

Psychiatric Health Aide: Assists patients in mental health or rehabilitation centers with daily needs.
Education: High school diploma plus several weeks of on-the-job training.
1
1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Alyson’s Answer

Phlebotomy! The summer after I graduated high school I signed up for a month long course and got my certification 4 months later when I took my exam. I think it’s a great way to get your foot in the healthcare field. You use this skill in medical assisting, nursing, and of course lab settings and hospitals.
1
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Rafael’s Answer

Hi Isaiah! There are actually quite a few medical field careers that don't require a ton of schooling, and some that need very little or even no formal school at all. For careers that take minimal schooling, you could look into becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), which usually takes about 4 to 12 weeks of training, a phlebotomist (the person who draws blood) which is around 8 weeks to a few months, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) which can be done in a semester or less, or a medical assistant which typically requires a certificate program of under a year. For roles that need little to no formal school, you could consider being a home health aide or a patient care technician, where many employers will train you on the job, or working in hospital support roles like a medical transporter, unit secretary, or sterile processing technician where on-the-job training is common. From my own experience, I can tell you that certifications can be a huge door-opener in any field; I've picked up several professional certifications over the years that helped me advance without always needing another full degree, so even in the medical world, stacking up short certifications like CPR, First Aid, or specialized clinical certs can get you working quickly and then you can always build from there if you decide you want to go further. The key is just getting your foot in the door, gaining hands-on experience, and then deciding how far you want to take it!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Karin’s Answer

Hi Isaiah,

If you are fairly new considering the medical field, I would recommend that you read up a bit on different careers in the healthcare field and their educational requirements. Your local community college might have some information sessions or introductory courses.

The idea is to find out where your interests lie and what you are comfortable doing. For example, would you want to work with daily patient contact or are you looking for a behind-the-scenes role? Are you looking for a more technical role or a bedside role. Depending on your state, there might be state-supported scholarships for healthcare professions. Also check if any facilities in your area (hospitals, old age homes) have programs where they would pay for your training if you commit to work there after your training.

There are careers in healthcare that don't require a ton of schooling. Training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or a phlebotomist is just a few weeks. You can also be a medical assistant in a few months.

Respiratory therapists need an associates degree (2 years). Dental hygienists also require 2 years of education. A registered nurse (RN) needs at least an associates degree (2 years). It's a great start into a nursing career because you can build on it to get your bachelors and later specialize and earn certifications or get even more education (masters, PhD).

More technical roles would be in medical imaging, e.g. as a radiologic technologist which also takes about 2 years. You can also build from there to get a bachelors and specialize in CT, MRI, Mammography, Vascular Radiography, or Ultrasound.

If you would consider more administrative roles, you can look for jobs as a receptionist in a hospital or clinic or in medical billing.

I hope this helps! All the best to you!

KP

Karin recommends the following next steps:

https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/allied-health-professions/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-allied-health
0