4 Killer Healthcare Careers You Can Start in Under a Year

Those who want a fast-paced, rewarding, and lucrative career often turn to the healthcare industry, but some may wish to avoid the commitments of four-to-eight years of schooling. Here is a look at four of the best options that can often be carried out in just twelve months or less.

1. Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists not only enjoy a hands-on career within the healthcare industry, they are also one of the highest-paid professionals that do not require a degree. Also referred to as surgical techs, these professionals help during crucial surgeries by maintaining the operation room and directly assisting the overseeing surgeon. Becoming a surgical technologist is one of the career paths that is continuing to blend the lines of healthcare jobs, as these professionals carry out many of the same everyday tasks as surgeons who have a full doctorate.

2. Phlebotomist

After receiving certification for phlebotomy, these healthcare specialists can work in clinics, blood banks, hospitals, or private practices. Their primary job is to collect, store, and transport blood samples from patients. Depending on where a phlebotomist would like to practice, an associate’s degree may be required before receiving certification, but some schools do offer intensive programs in which students can train for their certification while taking courses. As an added bonus, phlebotomists are highly-prized within a number of non-profit fields with the possibility to travel all over the world.

3. Medical Lab Assistant

A medical lab assistant or medical lab technician with a certification from ABES College (Alberta Business Education Services) or a similar institution helps with behind-the-scenes patient care and testing. After completing a short training program, these specialists will work with blood, tissue, and bodily-fluid samples in order to diagnose a number of diseases and other medical issues. While most medical lab assistants will work within a clinical setting, many larger organizations within the healthcare industry such as hospitals with emergency rooms do maintain full-time medical lab assistants on their staff.

4. Critical Care Nurse

In terms of total deaths, heart failure claims more lives than almost all types of cancers combined, and one of the primary jobs of a critical care nurse is to monitor those with heart issues following emergencies such as a stroke or a pacemaker malfunction. They also carry out a variety of comprehensive tests, compile the data, and then provide this data to critical care doctors and other specialists.

Entering into the healthcare industry does not require years of expensive schooling followed by months or even years of low paying internships or residency programs. These four options can often be carried out in just a few months of intensive training and will fast-track one's career path into this field.

About the author: A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.