Getting a job in healthcare can be difficult for recent college graduates. While the process of writing your resume, applying for jobs, and going to interviews can be stressful, you’ll eventually find a job that you love. Unfortunately, many college graduates aren’t sure exactly what they want to do as soon as they graduate, which can make finding a job in healthcare even more difficult. To help you learn about the opportunities available to you, we’ve compiled a list of healthcare jobs for recent grads.
1. Patient Care Technician
You don’t have to be a medical doctor to have a career in healthcare. A patient care technician takes care of patients in the hospital on a non-medical basis. They can work in a doctor’s office, nursing home, and even hospital, working directly with patients and nurses. Usually, people who are patient care technicians are also in school to be nurses, but you don’t always have to be.
Patient care can be anything from serving meals and changing bedding to administering IVs and drawing blood, depending on the facility. Patient care technicians need to have communication skills to enhance the patient experience. If you choose this career, you may have to work nights and weekends. A patient care technician salary is around $28,000 per year.
2. Caregiver
Caregivers are home aids that assist the elderly or disabled with daily activities at home or in facilities. Their duties may include making beds, doing laundry, cooking meals, planning the proper nutrition, administering medication, and doing household chores.
Caregivers only require a high school diploma, but it’s not mandatory for some positions. To become a caregiver, you’ll have to meet with human resources for a facility and go through an interview process.
A typical caregiver’s salary is around $25,000 per year.
3. Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform administrative tasks, including answering phones, greeting patients, and filling out forms, alongside medical care tasks such as taking patients’ blood pressure, preparing them for exams, and assisting physicians during minor procedures. Medical assistants only need a high school diploma or post-secondary education, which can include a certificate. Typically, a medical assistant can earn around $34,000 per year.
4. Medical Biller
Medical billers collect payments from patients and submit reimbursement claims to insurers while maintaining billing records. To become a medical biller, you’ll need an associate’s degree or a certificate. Medical billers typically make around $42,000 per year.
5. Medical Secretary
Medical secretaries assist with the day-to-day management of doctor’s offices. Their primary responsibilities include scheduling appointments, training staff, operating new technologies, arranging for labs, and helping physicians with reports. To be a medical secretary, you’ll need an associate’s degree and certification. Medical secretaries make around $38,000 per year.
6. Nursing Assistant
Nursing assistants provide indirect care while performing routine tasks. They are under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. Duties include escorting patients to operating rooms, keeping patient rooms neat, assisting with minor procedures, and reporting on a patient’s health.
To become a nursing assistant, you’ll need to complete an approved education program and pass your state’s competency exam for certification. Nursing assistants make around $30,000 per year.
For those interested in exploring opportunities abroad, companies like Global Medical Staffing can help nursing assistants secure positions in different countries. These roles not only offer valuable international experience but can also provide competitive salaries and unique cultural exposure. Expanding your horizons with Global Medical Staffing could be a rewarding way to advance your career.
7. Patient Sitter
Patient sitters work with nurses to provide care for patients. They can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities
Their primary role is to maintain and support the patients’ daily activities. To become a patient sitter, you need a high school diploma. However, getting a CPR certification is recommended. As a patient sitter, you can make around $10 per hour, depending on where you live.
8. Psychiatric Aide
Psychiatric aides provide care for the physically or mentally ill who are confined to hospitals and other mental health settings. An aide’s primary duties include helping patients get dressed, bathing patients, and leading recreational and educational activities. Aides also help the nursing staff observe patients and report on any changes. Psychiatric aides need a high school diploma or equivalent and can make around $30,000 per year.
Finding Healthcare Jobs
Whether or not you graduated with a medical degree, you can work in the medical and healthcare field with little experience. Make sure that you build your resume and start searching for your next job on job boards like Monster and LinkedIn as soon as you graduate so that you can find a rewarding healthcare career.
