Many people are passionate about health and dream of working in the medical field, but they may not have the time or financial resources that it takes to become a doctor. While a doctor or surgeon is the highest level one can reach in the medical field, there are still other careers in medicine that you can pursue that will be just as enriching and emotionally fulfilling. Here are five medical careers that you can consider if you have an interest in medicine and how to become qualified for them.
Become an LPN
A licensed practical nurse can earn their certification through a state-approved certificate or diploma course, or by earning an associate's degree. The latter is the best route if you're advancing your medical career in the future, as an LPN can become a registered nurse with an associate's degree.
Earn an Associate's Degree
Taking half the time as a bachelor's to complete, those who study medicine and nursing in college can become state-licensed registered nurses. These nurses work in hospitals, clinics and personal doctor's offices. Although it takes two to three years to finish, earning your associate's in medicine will allow you to get a good paying job as a nurse, as well as return to college later and earn a master's should you wish to advance your career.
Become a Paramedic
Paramedics become licensed through an approved EMT or paramedical training course. They then have to successfully pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) EMT or Paramedic computer based exam and apply for their certification within two years after passing. An EMT program typically lasts 120-150 hours in length, while a paramedic's program lasts much longer. Over the course of 1,200 to 1,800 hours, paramedics study advance topics such as anatomy, physiology, cardiology, medicine and medical procedures.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree
A four-year undergraduate program in Health Studies or Medicine can prepare you for a variety of training programs and positions in the medical field. Although it may be the most costly and time consuming, a bachelor's degree is one of the best routes to pursuing a career in medicine and will repay you tenfold.
Work in Non-Medical Healthcare
Not everyone who works in the medical field practices it, and there are a number of careers that you could look at such as a medical services manager and administrator, dietitian or nutritionist or physical therapist. Although these careers don't involve performing medical procedures, they are still part of the medical field and you may already be eligible to begin training for some of them if you have a degree.
For those who have already completed their education, certification, licensure and verification are the final steps toward working as a medical professional. Things like
immediate license verification can be done in some states, such as Alaska and Virginia. Verification like that is essential to being successful in your field. Although the path toward working in medicine isn't a quick one, the hours spent in the classroom and training will all help you reach your goals of working a fulfilling and meaningful career later on.