Careers in the Medical Field
As the medical field advances, career opportunities in healthcare become increasingly diverse. Clinical tasks are more specialized than ever, and there are plenty of roles in medical settings beyond those of nurses and physicians. Even outside the clinic, there are many ways to make a living while supporting the healthcare needs of the community. While clinical positions involve direct patient care, non-clinical jobs focus on administration, sales, and other important behind the scenes activities.
Physicians and Nurses
To become a medical doctor, one must complete an intensive program of undergraduate and graduate studies, followed by hands-on training via a clinical residency in a hospital setting. While attending medical school, future physicians select a specialty such as family medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics. After completing their residency, physicians must pass board certifications and go through state licensing procedures before they can practice.
Becoming a nurse also requires a prescribed program of study. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs typically run between 18 and 24 months in duration. Those seeking to earn a Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing or Registered Nurse (RN) credentialing typically spend four or more years in training.
LPN programs are often a better option for those who would like complete a shorter course of training and begin work earlier, but the responsibilities of RNs are broader, and RN salaries are potentially higher.
Physical Therapists and PTAs
Physical Therapy professionals, including licensed Physical Therapists and certified Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) are in high demand in the medical field. Individuals who work in this capacity help patients with physical disabilities and well as those who are recovering from injuries that impair their physical mobility. Physical Therapists must complete intense undergraduate and graduate-level education and training prior to becoming licensed to practice in their state. PTAs must complete a formal, yet shorter, program of study and are also required to fulfill state-specific licensure requirements.
CNAs
CNAs, or Certified Nursing Assistants, are vital supporting members of the health care team. The nature of this profession varies widely from one state to another, both in training requirements and in title specifics. Depending on state laws and the needs of specific clinics, CNAs may also be known as Nursing Assistants, Nurse's Aides, or Patient Care Technicians.
CNA training programs vary in length from two weeks to more than six months, and may be offered by local community colleges, the Red Cross, or clinic-sponsored on-the-job training programs. After completing a formal training program, you'll need to pass a licensing exam before you begin working. For a list of nurse's aide registries by specific state, review the State Nurse Aid Registries. Contact the registry in your state for more information about state-specific exam and licensing requirements.
Physician's Assistants
A physician's assistant is a supporting clinical professional who works directly with patients under the overview of a supervising doctor.
Like those for Nurses Assistants, Physician's Assistant training programs and licensing requirements vary between states. Most state requirements can be met by two to four year training programs offered by community colleges, universities, medical schools, and academic health centers. Contact the American Academy of Physician Assistants or the American Academy of Surgical Physician Assistants for more information about program availability and state-by-state training requirements for positions as a medical or surgical PA.
Medical Assistants
Not to be confused with that of a PA or NA, the work of a certified Medical Assistant may take place within or outside of the clinical setting. Medical assistants may support physicians and nurses in patient care, but they may also specialize in accounting, record keeping, insurance processing, or diagnostic laboratory procedures. Contact the American Association of Medical Assistants for more information on exam and training requirements in your state.
Practice Management
With the trend toward large, multiple-physician practices, the non-clinical field of practice management has expanded greatly. Some medical practice managers move up into their jobs from lower level office administration positions, and others enter the field after completing a prescribed program of study in Healthcare Administration.
Licensure is not required to work in this capacity, but most hospitals and large practices prefer to hire individuals with specific certifications to manage their offices. Popular certifications in this field include:
Medical Billing and Coding
Most patients rely on private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid to cover the costs of necessary medical treatments. Healthcare providers rely on timely payment of invoices for services rendered in order to pay staff salaries and support operations. Medical billing and coding professionals fill the important role of processing and filing insurance claims and following up to make sure that payment is made per the terms of each individual policy.
There are no specific licensure or certification requirements to become a medical billing and coding specialist, but many organizations prefer to hire certified professionals, such as those credentialed by AHIMA.
Growth in Careers in the Medical Field
These are only a few of the many different career opportunities available in the medical field. If you're interesting in learning about additional types of jobs in this industry, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you're looking for an occupation with long term growth potential, it's a good idea to consider a medical profession. Due to technological advances in healthcare and a rapidly aging population, medical professionals are likely to remain in high demand for many years to come.
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