Fast Entrance to Health Care Careers

Many say that the health care industry is one of the most resilient industries during economic downturns. It's not surprising, therefore, that health care jobs are usually secure despite the recession.

But what does it take to enter the health care industry? Is it possible for a person to start a health care career without spending four or more years in school? The good news is that you don’t need to go to med school to enter the health care industry.

Here are some quick paths towards a health care career:

1. Health Service Managers – Who said that health care jobs are restricted to medical fields of study? People with management backgrounds who are looking for a career change can apply as health service managers and health care administrators. An online master’s degree in health service administration, public health or business administration can help you bag these health care jobs that have a median salary of $73,340, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
2. Dental Hygienist – This health care job offers a median salary of $64,740 and a flexible work schedule. Many dental hygienists adjust their schedules so they can work only three days a week to have more time with their families. An associate’s degree from an accredited dental hygiene school and a state license are required to pursue this health care career.
3. Registered Nurse (RN) – RNs remain as one of the most in-demand health care jobs. According to the BLS, an estimated 1.7 million registered nurses will be needed by 2010. Enrolling in an online nursing program leading to a diploma, an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree would be the prerequisite. The median salary for registered nurses was estimated at $57,280 for 2006.
4. Health Information Technicians – If you have decent computer skills, are organized and meticulous, becoming a health information technician may be right for you. An associate degree in a community or junior college may be enough to land this health care job. Median salary for health information technicians was estimated at $29,290 by the BLS.

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