Alan Said:

Health/Medical Careers that don't require dealing with patients much but pays good?

We Answered:

I've been in Health Information Technology for 6 years. It's pretty easy, considering other jobs out there, and rather enjoyable.

The salary will range as to how much experience you have and what you're willing to do. If you're going to just do clerical in a med rec dept, you should expect to make $13-14 to start. If you go to school, get your degree, which qualifies you to take the RHIT exam (if it's accredited program by the AHIMA) and you also do coding, expect to make $15 or so to start. Some hospitals will give you raises based on productivity.

I work at a psych hospital, had NO experience in the medical field, and started out making $13 an hour 6 years ago.

Usually unit clerks or unit secretaries make less money, around $10 an hour. Admin Assistants can make more, again if you have clerical experience and it depends on what position you're assisting for. The higher up, the more experience they'll require and the more responsibility you'll have. Any one of these jobs, I'd suggest becoming a notary public, as it may help in getting hired. Hospitals love to have notaries on site.

Something else you can look into is Risk Management, Patient Advocate and HIPAA compliance officer. These are more specialized clerical areas that don't always require you to be a nurse (some hospitals prefer nurses to do these jobs).

Good luck in whatever you choose. I gave you some links in the source area that could give you more information.

Billie Said:

Health/Medical careers that don't deal with patients much but pays good?

We Answered:

Medical insurance specialist might be a good choice. Talk with the advisors at the college you will be attending. They will have great advice for you.

By the way, another person suggested, nutritionist/dietitian. I worked in a hospital for 6 years and the nutritionist/dietitian worked VERY closely with patients (diabetics, post-surgery patients, rehabilitation patients, ICU, cardiac care, ...) and required at least a 6 year master's degree program.

Don't base your life decisions on the answers people give on an open forum such as this one. Investigate the question yourself by calling or visiting a hospital human relations department. They are always looking for intelligent, motivated folks and will give you advice on needs of the hospital. Good luck with your decisions.

Karl Said:

What are some interesting medical/health careers or occupations?

We Answered:

Here's some different health careers with their training required, average salary, and links to their US Dept of Labor job description, duties, and job outlook:

1) Physician assistants need at least a 2 year degree, better if you have a 4 year degree before applying for the 2 year PA training program. They make about $69,410 a year. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm

2) Physical therapists need at least a 4 year degree, and many now need 2 years of graduate school as well. They make about $60,000 a year. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm

3) Radiation Therapists: A Radiology therapist needs a 4 year degree and makes $58,000 a year.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos299.htm

4) Nuclear Medicine Technologists: You need a 4 year degree. Annual Pay: $56,000 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos104.htm

5) Diagnostic medical sonographers need at least a 2 year associate degree and make $52,490 a year. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm

Have fun!

Daryl Said:

I want to study something in the medical/health field, What should I study?

We Answered:

x-ray tech, thats what Im going for.

June Said:

medical/health care careers?

We Answered:

EMT takes a lot of training.

Rather than find something else to do while in nursing school, you may try to find an employer who will help you bridge from being an STNA to an RN. If not, you may wish to check with your tax person to see if you can write off at least some of your RN training. Usually one can not write off the studying which gets you into the field (STNA) but you can write off studies which help you advance in your profession.

The other option would be to study to become a CNA. It is often easier to bridge from CNA to LVN/LPN or RN than MA as the first three are usually inpatient and MA is usually outpatient. However, if you already work inpatient you probably don't need to waste time becoming a CNA. Plus I don't think you would enjoy being a CNA as much as you currently do.