Jobs below a nurse

1. Licensed Medical Assistant

A qualified healthcare practitioner who performs both administrative and clinical activities in a medical practice is known as a medical assistant. They have a comprehensive job description. On the one side, medical assistants assist with basic patient care tasks such as taking vital signs, obtaining blood samples, removing sutures, and preparing patients for examination. They also do numerous clerical functions in the medical office, such as answering phones, organizing appointments, maintaining patient records, and arranging lab testing for patients.

Becoming a medical assistant is one of the quickest ways to enter the healthcare sector, making it unique from nursing. To join the industry, medical assistants just require minimal postsecondary education, such as a certificate program or an associate degree. Their field of practice varies from that of nursing. Nurses are responsible for providing comprehensive patient care, while medical assistants mostly help nurses and other healthcare personnel. This may entail working directly with patients at times, but it does not have the primary duty of treating disease and injuries that nurses have.

In the United States, the median annual salary is $34,800.

Career Growth Projected: A 23% increase from 2018 to 2028.

Any postsecondary Medical Assistant program is required (certificate or degree)

Timeframe: As little as 12 months

2. Dentist/Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists are the most often encountered professionals in the dental practice. They are in charge of cleaning patients' teeth, taking oral x-rays, and checking for oral disorders. Dental hygienists also teach patients proper oral hygiene methods such as brushing and flossing. More information regarding the job of a Dental Hygienist may be found here.

You may be wondering how nursing and dental hygiene are related. Dental Hygienists and nurses, on the other hand, work directly with patients, giving preventative care and teaching them on general health and treatment concerns. During their visits, nurses and dental hygienists engage with patients the most. Of course, the distinction is that Dental Hygienists deal with teeth and oral diseases, while nurses offer a far wider range of treatment. Furthermore, Dental Hygienists work mostly in private dental clinics, which means they have a much more streamlined work week. Dental hygienists normally work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Nationally, the average annual salary is $76,220.

Career Growth Expected: 11% between 2018 and 2028.

Associate degree in Dental Hygiene is required.

Time frame: 2-3 years

3. Histology Technologist

Histology Technicians, often known as Histotechnicians, are critical members of the medical laboratory team. They research the cellular architecture of plants and humans, as well as biological tissues that will be utilized to diagnose and cure patients in the future. Histotechnicians, in particular, prepare biological specimens, test for (and discover) anomalies, and assist physicians and nurses in making correct diagnoses. Their work is also utilized to inform medical research and the development of novel treatments. More information regarding the duties of a Histology Technician may be found here.

While vital to healthcare, Histotechnicians have a distinct function from nurses in that they work behind the scenes or behind the microscope. Histology is a great subject to explore for people looking for a job that treats ill patients without direct patient engagement. It is also a rather quick professional path. To join the industry, Histology Technicians normally need a postsecondary award, such as a Histology Certificate, while some firms need an associate degree in Histology. These educational pathways range in length from one to two years.

Nationally, the average annual salary is $53,120.

Career Growth Projected: 11% between 2018 and 2028

Required Histology degree or postsecondary Histology education Certificate

Timeline: 1-2 years, depending on education level.

4.Respiratory Therapist 

A Respiratory Therapist (RT) works with patients who have difficulty breathing, such as those who have asthma or emphysema. Respiratory Therapists, like nurses, offer direct patient care and spend their days assisting those in need. They may be seen giving oxygen to patients, assessing lung function, monitoring ventilators, and even resuscitating them. Overall, this is a prosperous vocation with significant employment growth. More information regarding the job of a respiratory therapist may be found here.

Respiratory Therapists, like nurses, often work in hospitals, but they may also work in outpatient, in-home, and long-term care settings. In contrast to licensed nursing, respiratory therapy does not provide a complete spectrum of treatment. Rather, Respiratory Therapists concentrate on their area of expertise – the respiratory system — and assist patients in managing associated illnesses.

Nationally, the average annual salary is $61,330.

Career Growth Projected: A 21% increase from 2018 to 2028.

Associate Degree in Respiratory Care is required.

Timeline: no more than two years

5. Occupational Therapy Aide

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) assist patients in regaining, developing, and improving abilities required for everyday living and employment. For example, someone who has experienced a significant hand injury may need to relearn how to use their writing muscles, which needs the assistance of an OTA. Occupational Therapy Assistants, like nurses, work directly with patients to assist them in overcoming difficulties and disabilities. You may discover more about an OTA's day-to-day duties here.

Occupational Therapy Assistants assist patients manage with disability over a longer period of time, while nurses often concentrate on making patients well in the near term. OTAs often visit the same patients on a long-term rehabilitation plan or with chronic diseases. Their job is also essentially physical, as they educate patients how to create or re-train muscle groups to do everyday functions such as eating, dressing, and typing on a keyboard. OTAs, like nurses, may work in hospitals with erratic schedules or in private clinics, schools, and rehabilitation institutions with more regular 9-5 shifts.

Nationally, the average annual salary is $59,200.

Career Growth Projected: A 31% increase from 2018 to 2028.

Associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assisting is required.

Timetable: 16 months of full-time work at Goodwin.