4 Occupations That Get Your Foot in the Door in the Medical Field

If you want to enter the medical field, many positions can help you get your foot in the door. A college degree is required to work in some of these positions while a certificate from an accredited school will suffice for others. Any of these four positions can help you get your foot in the door of the medical field.

Certified Nursing Assistant

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, works while being supervised by a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) to administer patient care. Duties of the job often include taking patient vital signs, collecting information for treatment plans, and assisting patients who have limited mobility. You may be required to complete a program at a community college or online courses to become a CNA along with completing continuing education classes, or you can be trained on the job by an employer who’s willing to hire you without experience. One of the best aspects of this job is that you can do something good for patients while earning money, but you may also have to work long and odd hours. The starting annual salary for a CNA is usually around $25,000 and can progress up to $33,000 with more experience.

Medical Assistant

Depending on where you work, you will be performing these tasks for a physician’s office, hospital, or another healthcare facility. You will play an important role in helping doctors provide patient care by measuring vital signs, keeping patient records, and assisting the physician with patient examinations.

Performing these tasks every day can become redundant, but you will also be helping to ensure that each patient receives the best care possible. Your starting annual salary may be as low as $23,000 and progress up to more than $40,000 the longer you work. An Associate Degree in Medical Assisting prepares students for a medical career by teaching them skills that are vital to their success.

Phlebotomist

If you’re not too squeamish around blood, becoming a phlebotomist can be a great entry-level position in the medical field. Phlebotomists are responsible for taking patients’ blood samples using needles and syringes to test for certain medical conditions. Patience is a virtue in this position since you’ll likely be dealing with some people who are fearful of needles. You should earn your certificate from a phlebotomy training program before you start looking for work and expect to attend continuing education seminars periodically. Annual salaries for new phlebotomists can start as low as $22,000 and progress up to more than $40,000 with more experience.

Medical Office Administrator

You can use your clerical skills to your advantage by taking a position as a medical office administrator. Taking patient calls, organizing files, and performing other tasks to keep the front office of the medical facility where you work organized will be involved with the job. Being able to handle multiple tasks at one time while tending to urgent matters quickly will be paramount if you wish to be successful in this position. You won’t necessarily need a specific degree to start working, but having a degree or certificate or completing specialized medical processes training will help. Salary can range anywhere from $23,000 a year to upwards of $67,000.

Accepting any of these positions can point you in the right direction to start working in the medical field. By completing the education requirements and learning the skills of the job, you can be successful and eventually progress to higher positions.

10 things you must know while working in a medical field

Working in the medical field comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities. Here are ten important things to know while working in a medical profession:

1. Patient-Centered Care:
   • Patient care should always be the primary focus. Treat patients with empathy, respect their dignity, and involve them in decision-making about their health whenever possible.
2. Continuous Learning:
   • Medicine is a dynamic field with constant advancements. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning to stay updated on the latest research, technologies, and best practices in healthcare.
3. Effective Communication:
   • Clear and effective communication is crucial in the medical field. Communicate with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals in a manner that is easily understood and fosters collaboration.
4. Teamwork and Collaboration:
   • Healthcare is a team effort. Work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, support staff, and interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and holistic care to patients.
5. Ethical Practice:
   • Adhere to ethical standards and maintain the highest level of integrity in your practice. Uphold patient confidentiality, respect autonomy, and act in the best interest of patients.
6. Time Management:
   • Efficient time management is essential in a medical setting. Prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities when appropriate, and ensure that patient care is not compromised due to time constraints.
7. Resilience and Coping Skills:
   • The medical field can be emotionally challenging. Develop resilience and coping mechanisms to deal with stress, grief, and difficult situations. Seek support from colleagues, mentors, or mental health professionals if needed.
8. Adaptability:
   • Healthcare is dynamic, and situations can change rapidly. Be adaptable and flexible in your approach to patient care, treatment plans, and working in various healthcare settings.
9. Documentation Accuracy:
   • Accurate and thorough documentation is critical in the medical field. Keep detailed records of patient information, treatment plans, and interactions to ensure continuity of care and legal compliance.
10. Cultural Competence:
    • Cultural competence is essential for providing patient-centered care. Understand and respect the cultural diversity of your patients, recognizing how it may impact their health beliefs, practices, and preferences.

Remember that working in the medical field is not just a job; it’s a calling that involves a commitment to the well-being of others. By embracing these principles, healthcare professionals contribute to a positive and effective healthcare environment.

Thinking of joining the healthcare industry? Check out this other article on the role of email marketing in the healthcare industry!