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Last Updated on March 30, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Diverse Career Options: Explore eight rewarding medical careers ranging from patient care to tech and admin roles, each offering unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
- Certification Requirements: Learn which roles require certifications, how long they take, and how they can fast-track your entry into the healthcare industry.
- Flexible Entry Paths: Discover roles with shorter
training programs, ideal for career changers or those seeking fast entry into the medical field. - Hands-On vs. Technical Roles: Compare patient-facing roles like nursing with behind-the-scenes jobs in billing, coding, or equipment maintenance to find your best fit.
- Career Growth Potential: Understand how each
career path offers advancement opportunities, from developing specializedskills to transitioning into higher-level positions.
If you’re searching for a career that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives and offers financial security, consider a career in the medical field. Many medical careers have a significant impact on people’s lives and contribute to improving their overall health and well-being.
You may wonder how to get started if you’re new to medicine. Some medical careers require specific certifications that can help you gain entry into this rewarding profession. By acquiring the necessary certifications and education, you can develop the
With our guidance on finding jobs, you can easily adjust to the medical world. You will be able to make the tools needed for the job work for you so that you become a professional in no time.
Here are 8 medical careers and certifications you should consider going into to make a living improving the lives of others.
Introduction to Health Care & Careers provides students beginning their health care education with the fundamentals they need to develop their personal and professional skills, understand their chosen profession
1. Dental Hygienist
One area of the body that requires constant care is the mouth, as teeth and gums must be in good shape to avoid oral diseases. That’s where dental hygienists come in.
Regarding certifications, you can take a dental hygiene program as an alternative to medical school. After two years of schooling, you can find well-paying opportunities.
This job lets you help patients relax and feel at ease while you fix or clean their teeth. You can also educate them on keeping their teeth in shape when not at a dental office.
As a dental hygienist, you will also use X-rays and other forms of technology to ensure a healthy mouth. You will also be responsible for keeping records of appointments and treatments for different patients.
Dental Assistants and Hygienists includes interviews with professionals in the field, covers three main areas of this field that have proven to be stable, lucrative, and growing professions.
2. Phlebotomy Technician
Studying blood is another way medical professionals can determine what keeps us going daily. Among the careers in the medical field that involve this field is a phlebotomy technician.
If you dedicate yourself to this job, you can obtain a phlebotomy certification in a few weeks. This can come in handy if there’s another medical field you want to study and need to manage time for it.
As a phlebotomy technician, you draw blood from patients and send samples to labs for testing. This helps detect illnesses that wouldn’t have been noticed otherwise.
Training is provided to get the hang of this job immediately. You can also use your experience to find a new career in the health world that takes your
This pocket-sized reference provides great information on phlebotomy techniques, with nice summaries of procedures with many photos and illustrations.
3. EKG/ECG Technician
Some occupations in the health realm allow you to study hearts and what is affecting their performance, both positively and negatively. If this interests you, we recommend becoming an electrocardiograph (EKG/ECG) technician.
First, you’ll need a high school diploma to pursue this path. Other requirements include completing an EKG technician program and passing the exam needed for a certificate in EKG technology.
This process should take between 1 to 2 months. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to start getting people’s hearts in shape so that they can enjoy longer lives.
This job involves taking a patient’s blood pressure and assisting physicians with stress tests. You’ll work with patients of different age groups and with a variety of heart conditions.
4. Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
There are medical careers that require less hands-on experience and more
This option requires more time to get certified than others. A medical billing and coding certification program usually takes 4 to 9 months to ensure you have the
As a medical billing and coding specialist, you will ensure that healthcare bills and
It won’t be hard to find places to work in this profession, such as hospitals,
This book provides an in-depth, step-by-step guide for aspiring and seasoned writers alike, covering everything from understanding key regulatory guidelines to writing clear, compliant, and effective documents for global regulatory agencies like the FDA, EMA, and ICH.
5. Hospital Maintenance Engineer for Medical Careers and Certifications
If you prefer to work with your hands on appliances rather than people’s bodies, then the medical field has you covered. In this case, you might want to pursue the path of a hospital maintenance engineer.
You may want to consider programs in and out of medical school. Apprenticeships let you get more into the work that goes with the job, which will boost your experience in this area.
As an engineer in a hospital, you’ll be in charge of regularly maintaining air conditioning, refrigeration, extensive heating, and ventilating systems. This requires an understanding of how different parts of the building function.
Routine maintenance and replacements will be conducted when needed. This will keep the facility running so patients’ health can be maintained and improved.
6. Registered nurse
Having variety in your tasks makes for a fun and exciting career. If you want to work in the medical world, consider becoming a registered nurse.
Degrees in this profession are available at technical colleges, usually at the Associate’s level. Whatever program you take, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to get your certification.
Tasks range from treating patients yourself to helping physicians and other professionals with certain procedures. You will also administer medication, compile records, and teach patients how to handle their conditions.
It is essential to pick up different
Have you ever thought about becoming a registered nurse but were unsure if a career in nursing is good for you? Do you want to become a registered nurse but are not sure if you have what it takes?
7. Radiology Technician
Some of you may be interested in using technology to examine what’s going on inside the body. Radiology technicians have this opportunity.
An associate degree will require two years of study; a bachelor’s degree is not necessarily required for this role. However, certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) makes a big difference.
Radiology technicians operate machines that can see what is wrong with a patient’s organs and bones. The technology used for this purpose includes X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
Those who are new to this area will work with experts to learn the job. When you’re not working with machines, you’ll be keeping records of equipment and patients’ conditions.
8. Personal Trainer
Working in the health world allows you to have a beneficial relationship with the people you help. There are very few examples better than personal trainers.
Certification is available through the American Council on Exercise. You must be at least 18 years old and gain a certificate for adult CPR and AED.
This is the best gig for fitness freaks, as you can give people tips on exercising and eating more healthful meals. Clients can include people in different age groups and with different fitness goals.
Gyms, TV shows, and even the client’s home can serve as the setting for your job. Providing options for
What is an A-List personal trainer? Regardless of your experience and physical appearance (you do not have to look like a fitness model), an A-list trainer consistently exemplifies specific skills and attributes of past or current success
Next Steps
- Research Career Requirements: Visit official certification boards to understand prerequisites, program lengths, and accredited
training options for your chosen medical field. - Evaluate Your
Skills and Interests: Match your strengths with career paths that fit your personality, whether hands-on, technical, or administrative. - Find Accredited Programs: Use resources like the U.S. Department of Education or local community colleges to locate certified
training programs in your area. - Network with Professionals: Join healthcare forums, LinkedIn groups, or attend local industry events to connect with people already in your target role.
- Start an Application Checklist: Track deadlines, required documents, and enrollment steps to stay organized and motivated throughout your career planning process.
Final Words
Medical careers offer diverse opportunities to work with advanced technology and treat various conditions in different facilities. These professions require varying levels of certification, allowing you to develop the necessary
This directory profiles all AMA, AOA, and ADA accredited medical, osteopathic, and dental schools in the United States and Canada
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
