Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a projected growth of 14% to 2028. Professionals in the medical field can find work in hospitals, doctors and dentist offices, outpatient care facilities, and private practices. 

Types of Jobs in the Medical Field

There are different professions in the medical field, and each of them requires different levels of education. Not all careers require 6 to 8 years of schooling to work as a healthcare professional. 

Many jobs help the medical field function, and there's an increasing need for people to fill these positions. Some clinical positions, such as nurses, surgeons, and doctors, are technical, such as radiologists and phlebotomists. Then there are administrative jobs, such as hospital administrative assistants and medical directors. Numerous positions in the medical field support occupations that help other clinicians. These include occupational therapy assistants, home health aides, and physical therapy aides. 

Discover four careers that help the medical field function:

1. Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) work closely with physical therapists to help patients recover from accidents, strokes, or physical disabilities. PTAs duties required following specific therapy plans that have been prescribed, monitoring patient's progress, utilizing appropriate equipment and techniques, and providing resources and education to patients and family. 

A physical therapy assistant will complete online courses to earn their associate's degree, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, interpersonal communication, orthopedics, psychology, therapeutic exercise, how to use therapeutic equipment and devices.

2. Certified Medical Assistant 

A certified medical assistant (CMA) is an excellent career choice if you enjoy interacting with people. CMA's primarily work in clinical settings where they are responsible for registering patients, assigning rooms to patients, taking vital signs, and giving immunizations. A certified medical assistant is typically the first person a patient sees when visiting their doctor's office. You do need certification to become a medical assistant. In a CMA program, studies will include biology, anatomy, medical terminology, and laboratory work. CMAs can find job opportunities in long-term care or outpatient facilities, physician offices, and hospitals. 

3. Medical Billing and Coding

Medical billers and coder's primary duties include processing diagnoses, treatments, medical tests, and procedures found in the physician's clinical documentation. Then they will transcribe patient's data into standardized codes to bill the government and insurance companies for physician reimbursement. They ensure that healthcare bills and insurance claims are being processed correctly. 

You must complete medical billing and coding online courses and obtain an associate's degree or certificate to start your career. Medical billing and coding lessons teach students to identify diagnoses, treatments, medical tests, procedures found in clinical documentation and transcribing patient data into standardized codes for billing insurance companies and the government. The certificate program takes approximately six to 12 months to complete. 

4. Occupational Therapist 

Occupational Therapists (OTs) help ill, disabled, and injured patients perform everyday activities, such as getting around the kitchen or getting dressed. Occupational Therapists can find careers in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and more. The majority of occupational therapists will have completed a master's or a doctorate in occupational therapy and hold a valid state license. Occupations therapist assistants who assist occupational therapists only need an associate's degree. 

Healthcare Administration

Administration in healthcare is essential for helping the medical field function. Without planning and administration, it would be nearly impossible for doctors and other medical professionals to deliver their services efficiently. Above, we've named some, but here are just a few job titles you can find in administration in the healthcare industry:

• Accounting Clerk
• Administrative Assistant
• Administrative Medical Assistant
• Admission Clerks
• Bereavement Coordinator
• Billing Specialist
• Coder
• Customer Service Representative
• Director of Nursing
• Front Office Clerk
• Healthcare Administrator
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Office Assistant
• Nursing Home Administrator
• Office Clerk
• Patient Care Associate
• Pharmaceutical Sales
• Receptionist
• Transcriptionist

Final Thoughts

Consider a medical field profession if you are looking for a career with growth, stability, and opportunity. Many occupations do not require years of schooling, with good salaries.