If you’re interested in a healthcare career but can’t commit to the demands of medical school, there are still plenty of roles to support the health and well-being of individuals in your local community and beyond.
In fact, there are a lot of healthcare roles out there that don’t require a doctorate. Many working professionals can and have achieved upward mobility and good salaries with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, health sciences, diagnostic imaging, or healthcare information management and technology. If you’re seeking a management position, a master’s degree in healthcare administration will help you develop strategic leadership skills focused on healthcare.
Here are some roles to consider:
- Nursing. Whether you’re interested in direct or indirect patient care, nursing is one way you can have an immediate impact on the health of others. While most registered nurses can easily find work with licensure, many hospitals and health systems are encouraging their nurses to get four-year degrees in nursing to improve patient mortality rates. Getting a bachelor’s degree in nursing, such as the UW-Milwaukee RN-to-BSN program offered through the UW Flexible Option, can also open doors beyond bedside nursing. Nurses who get their bachelor’s degree in nursing can often fill administrative roles, work in telehealth, or use their four-year degree as a stepping stone to graduate school. They also enjoy higher salaries and more opportunities, such as managerial roles in a variety of healthcare settings like: Nurse manager, Nurse educator, Head nurse, Department chief, Administrative manager and Clinical nurse manager.
- Public health. Whether it’s working toward disease prevention or protecting your neighbors from health threats, public health presents an opportunity to improve the well-being of your community as a whole. According to recent data, 94 percent of government health workers feel their work makes a difference. Some careers include: public health educator, program manager, public information officer, and much more. While some job requirements vary, many public health professionals are able to find meaningful work with a bachelor’s degree, such as a Health Sciences degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in Health and Wellness Management offers an opportunity to advance in workplace wellness and community health roles.
- Medical or health services manager. Listed as one of the fastest-growing occupations by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations. With average salaries topping $117,000 annually, these roles are not only financially rewarding, they’re stable. To qualify for entry-level medical or health services manager roles, you’ll need to earn your bachelor’s degree, while executive-level roles may require a master’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences or nursing could be helpful; for those considering a graduate degree, a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration could be useful. Some of these executive-level roles include: Cancer Center Director, Clinical Director, Health Information Management Director (HIM Director), Health Information Manager (HIM Manager), Healthcare System Director, Medical Records Director, Medical Records Manager, Mental Health Program Manager, Nurse Manager, and Nursing Director.
- Medical imaging administrator. If you’re already working as a radiologic technologist with active registry credentials, and want a new challenge, moving into an administrator role is possible with a bachelor’s degree. Kara Winzenreid, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging, leveraged her degree into a new role as a Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACs) administrator – a job she started even before finishing the program. Kara’s role allows her to work remotely – a huge perk for her – and she hopes to move into a leadership position within the next few years.
- Or, a variety of technician or assistant positions, including:
- Cardiovascular technician
- Anesthesia technician
- Dental hygienist
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Physical therapy assistant
- Respiratory therapist
- Surgical technician
- Registered health information technician
- Biomedical equipment technician
- Medical lab technician
- Cancer registrar
- EKG technologist
- Audiology technician
- Pharmacy technician
- Paramedic
- Veterinary technician
- Radiation therapist
- Medical assistant.
Many of these positions offer job security because they’re often considered “recession proof.” Even when the economy slows, the need for medical services remains stable. In fact, healthcare and social assistance is projected to be the fastest-growing industry sector through 2034, driven largely by an aging population and rising rates of chronic conditions. Unlike other job roles, healthcare workers are less likely to be replaced by AI due to the physical nature of their jobs.
Are you interested in learning how a healthcare-adjacent program through UW Online Collaboratives can help you achieve your healthcare career goals? Contact an enrollment adviser today.