If you’ve always had a dream of making a difference in your career, considering a few entry-level jobs in the medical industry can help you get started in the right direction. Anytime you’re pondering the idea of looking for available jobs in the medical industry, you’ll want to take the time to compare your options, openings, and requirements for each. The more familiar you are with the vast selection of entry-level jobs that are suitable for you in the medical industry today, the easier it’ll be for you to find a path that reflects your heart’s true desires.
1. Medical Assistant
If you’re new to learning about entry-level jobs in the medical industry, you might want to learn more about what a medical assistant does each day. Whether you’ve always wanted to work at a local urgent care center or if you’re seeking interventional pain jobs, working as a medical assistant can help you better navigate the job industry in the healthcare industry while providing you with the professional experience you need to get a jump start. From completing traditional clinical and administrative tasks to assisting with patient needs in terms of scheduling an appointment, the medical assistant often wears many hats, regardless of the work environment you’re in.
Working as a medical assistant will often require you to check the vital signs of patients, manage incoming reports, and even handle the needs and demands of particular patients who are in your office at the time. When you assume the role of a medical assistant, you can learn the ins and outs of managing a medical facility or doctor’s office while also learning how an urgent care operates, depending on where you’re located and where you intend to work. If you want to work in medicine, working as a medical assistant is one of the best entry-level positions to consider, especially if you’re new to the industry, and you’ve never worked in healthcare in the past.
2. Dental Assistant
Along the same lines as a professional medical assistant, you may also want to take on the role of a dental assistant if you’re seeking jobs in the medical industry that are suitable for entry-level candidates. Whether you’re in school to become a dentist or if you’re simply seeing which type of role works for you, becoming a dental assistant will allow you to work in a healthcare environment without years of medical school under your belt. Similarly to working as a medical assistant, a dental assistant will have many of the same tasks and responsibilities.
3. Physical Therapy Aide
If you have always wanted to work in physical therapy as a physical therapist, but you’re not qualified to do so yet, you might want to consider applying for positions as a physical therapy aide. When you work as a physical therapy aide, you’ll be responsible for tending to patients who are dealing with arthritis treatments or even undergoing various therapies and exercises to help heal an injury or disability. When you’re working as a physical therapy aide, you’ll also be tasked with monitoring the overall progress of individual patients to ensure they’re on the right track to recovery.
If you want to become a physical therapy aide, you’ll likely need to complete a physical therapy aide program (in some states or regions, you may simply need to complete coursework to do so). You might also need to seek out an internship, depending on the demand for certain positions in your area. Handling patients physically and with proper dexterity is also crucial, which means you’ll need to be relatively fit and capable of interacting with patients of all ages and sizes.
Additionally, it’s also crucial to have communication and interpersonal skills when you’re working with patients, especially if you’re working with a patient who is stubborn or not thrilled about their rehab program. Having an innate passion for helping others heal and recover is also recommended if you want to work in physical therapy or even as a physical therapy aide when you’re seeking an entry-level position. The more familiar you are with the demands of physical therapy aides, the easier it’ll be for you to determine if the position is right for you.
4. Patient Care Technician
For those who are passionate about finding entry-level jobs in the medical industry that require plenty of hands-on work and direct communication with patients in need, becoming a patient care technician may be the right choice for you. Those who are working as patient care technicians are not only responsible for providing basic care to patients, but they’re often also required to monitor vital signs, changes in behavior, and more while they’re on the job. Basic patient care can include helping patients get dressed, tending to hygiene needs, and even assisting with mobility, as necessary.
When you’re working as a patient care technician, you’ll also need to have the ability to remain emotionally vulnerable while providing emotional support as needed. Obtaining CPR certifications, undergoing training programs, and even working as an intern for a local healthcare facility or hospital can also help with landing the role or position you’re most interested in. You will also need to have the ability to remain organized as you document medical history and records for patients as a patient care technician, regardless of where you choose to work or get started in your career.
5. Billing Specialist
If you’re looking for jobs in the medical industry, and you’re interested in providing health insurance quotes or even working with billing, you can do so as a billing specialist. Working as a billing specialist will require you to become well-versed with standard medical coding. You’ll also be tasked with submitting patient medical claims while also taking time to verify insurance coverage for individuals who need assistance.
Working as a billing specialist may also require you to process insurance payments while also working with agencies and patients to resolve discrepancies as they pertain to medical billing. You will need to understand basic medical coding systems, such as CPT and ICD-10 if you’re interested in pursuing a career as a billing specialist. Some positions that offer entry-level jobs will also provide on-the-job training to help you become more familiar with the current coding requirements.
Paying attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to think analytically all matter when you’re working as a medical billing specialist, even if you’re filling an entry-level position. You will also need to stay updated with any insurance laws, regulations, policies, and requirements in place based on the type of insurance you offer and the clients you represent. The more knowledgeable you are about various health codes, insurance regulations, and laws, the easier it will be for you to pursue a job as a medical billing specialist or supervisor.
6. Occupational Therapy Assistant
If you’re thinking of working at a pulmonary rehab center or a local physical therapy rehab, becoming an occupational therapy assistant is another entry-level job you might want to consider if you want to work in medicine or healthcare. If you’re working as an occupational therapy assistant, you’ll be required to conduct therapeutic activities with patients while also incorporating treatment plans that were developed by occupational therapists to assist patients. When you’re working as an occupational therapy assistant, you may also need to monitor patient progress, assist patients with becoming familiar with new equipment, and even provide feedback on progress to occupational therapists directly.
Those who are interested in pursuing entry-level jobs in the medical industry should consider working in occupational therapy as an assistant, even if they do not have previous experience in medicine or the healthcare industry. Keep in mind that becoming an occupational therapy assistant, while it does not require a medical degree, will require certification or graduation from a certified occupation therapy assistant program. Depending on where you’re located, you may also require certification and licensing from your state to begin working as an occupational therapy assistant, regardless of your level of experience in the industry.
As an occupational therapy assistant, you will need to have strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially as you work to develop a good rapport with the patients you’re assisting. You will also need to learn how to guide your patients to lead a more independent life as they work through their designated rehabilitation program. When you’re working as an occupational therapy assistant, you will also need to assist with working with the entire therapy team which is tasked with taking on your patients.
7. Pharmacy Technician
While you’re researching entry-level jobs in the medical industry, you might want to consider becoming a pharmacy technician, especially if you’re not good with working with blood or if you prefer simply assisting with medications and patient records. Working as a pharmacy technician will require you to handle and dispense medications and prescriptions properly while managing the inventory of a location you’re working in. Whether you’re filling out a local testosterone therapy prescription or a traditional antianxiety medication, you’ll need to know how to follow various laws, regulations, and protocols when you’re working as a professional pharmacy technician. Proper certification and completing a program can go a long way if you’re seeking a job as a pharmacy technician in a highly competitive area.
Becoming a pharmacy technician does not require a medical degree, but it’ll require you to undergo and complete a certified technician training program in the pharmaceutical industry. You will also need to obtain relevant certification for the type of pharmacy technician job you’re interested in. Understanding pharmacy regulations, laws, refiling protocols, and restrictions is imperative if you’re thinking of working as a pharmacy technician in any professional capacity.
Those who are thinking of becoming a pharmacy technician should also have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excelling in math and having the ability to solve equations with ease can help with completing the pharmacy technician programs you’re interested in. Paying attention to detail is one of the most vital qualities you’ll need to have as a professional pharmacy technician, especially when handling a patient’s medication or overseeing the inventory of the pharmacy you’re running.
8. Surgical Technologist
If you’re thinking of becoming a pain specialist, want to gain experience in a local neuro rehab, or if you’re pursuing a medical degree, working as a surgical technologist is a great way to gain experience. A surgical technologist is one of the most technical positions and entry-level jobs in the medical industry you can apply for without holding an official medical degree to your name. In most cases, you may need to complete a surgical technologist program in addition to seeking professional certification directly from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, also known as NBSTSA.
Working as a surgical technologist requires the ability to work in environments where blood and high-risk situations may be present. You will need to know how to work well under pressure while also paying close attention to detail. As a surgical technologist, you will be required to assist with the process of preparing an operating room for surgery while also assisting specific surgeons throughout procedures and operations themselves.
Sterilizing medical equipment, maintaining sterile surroundings, and ensuring the comfort of patients may also be tasks when you’re working as a surgical technologist. If you want to dive into the medical field with hands-on experience, you can do so with an entry-level position such as a surgical technologist. Working as a surgical technologist is also advisable for those who have a desire to work in medicine but are unsure if they can handle the high-stress environment.
Whether you enjoy working with patients directly or assisting with coverage, many different entry-level jobs in the medical industry might be perfectly suitable for you. Whether you’re just graduating from college or you’re in the process of applying for internships, knowing which jobs in the medical industry are appealing to you can go a long way in ensuring your career choice satisfaction. Immersing yourself in the medical field and becoming familiar with a range of entry-level jobs will also help you feel more confident in your decision once the time comes to pursue a full-time career of your own.
