How To Choose A Medical Career Path

You may know that you want to work in the medical field, but maybe you’re not sure how to choose a medical career specialty.

With so many options, making the right decision can seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Look at your strengths, your skills, how much schooling you are interested in, and where you want to be career-wise.

The admissions staff at Southern Careers Institute can help you pick one of our medical programs to start and begin working towards your new career.  Here’s how.

How do I Choose a Medical Specialty?

So how exactly do you choose a medical career? There are many options for specialization in the medical field.

For those who prefer to be hands-on in a clinical setting, employment as a medical assistant or nurse aid may be something you will enjoy doing.

Let’s take a look at various jobs within the medical field so you can choose a medical career that fits your needs.

Certified Nursing Assistant 

If you are a hands-on kind of person who likes assisting patients, a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a rewarding occupation. CNAs assist the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, cognitive impairment, and disabilities.

Assisting patients with everyday personal care tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, visiting the bathroom, and getting into and out of bed or a wheelchair is also part of the role. They will also administer basic nursing care like taking the temperature or blood pressure.

Due to patients needing medical care around the clock, CNAs may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They must also be certified in CPR.

Medical Assistant Careers

Medical assistants do clinical tasks in physicians’ offices or hospitals. This means they will read vital signs, help physicians with patient examinations, perform EKGs and CPR, draw blood, and prepare samples for the laboratory.

Furthermore, they can find work in hospitals, medical care offices, and health and wellness clinics. For those who want to be in the medical field but prefer an office setting, a career in Medical Billing and Coding or as a Medical Office Specialist may be preferable. 

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Medical Billing and Coding specialists work as a liaison between hospitals and payment agencies such as insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid. They translate medical procedures and tests into codes for billing purposes.

Entry-level positions are available in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, emergency/urgent care facilities, public health offices, and insurance companies.  Another important thing to note is that it can sometimes be done from home.

Medical Office Assistants

Medical Office Assistants handle the business side of a healthcare facility so that doctors and nurses can focus on patients. They answer telephones, schedule appointments, manage calendars, and handle billing and correspondence. 

Additional job duties include recording patients’ personal information and medical histories and managing those records. Furthermore, medical office assistants should be certified in Microsoft software as well as in Certified Medical Administrative Assistance.   

Certified Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy Technicians assist pharmacists in administering medication to customers and patients. They may work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and grocery stores.

Technicians may also mix some medications and will verify prescriptions with healthcare providers. Additionally, they manage inventory and also package and label prescriptions.

A pharmacy technician must be certified and is required to know FDA drug safety rules and regulations, as well.        

Why are Medical Careers in Demand?

The main reason that medical careers are in such high demand has to do with the fact that our population is aging. More people who are comfortable having hands-on contact with patients are needed all the time. Population growth also plays a role.

If you want to choose a medical career, you are in luck. Medical careers are in high demand and this isn’t changing any time soon.

More pediatric clinics, occupational therapists, chiropractors, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners are in need of support staff than ever before. So if you have an aptitude and interest in medicine, now is the time to pursue your dreams.

Which Medical Career is the Easiest?

A career in the medical field might not be considered easy, but it can be very rewarding for those who are called to do it. Ultimately, work in medicine requires patience, compassion, and empathy.

The fastest training program is probably for a career as a certified nursing assistant. In as little as five weeks, candidates can be ready to apply for certification.

To become qualified as a caregiver, home health assistant, hospice aid, or personal care attendant, potential nurse aides should learn skills in basic nursing, personal care, mental health, and social services. 

Certificate Programs in Healthcare

Many healthcare agencies prefer potential employees to possess certifications. Being certified also usually means higher pay and is needed to remain competitive.

Certifications available to healthcare workers include the following:

• CNA (Certified Nurse Aide): in Texas, nurse aides must complete a state-approved program before being eligible to sit for the examination.
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): certification is offered through the local Red Cross at training centers.
• CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant): administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• CMA (Certified Medical Assistant): NHA
• CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician): NHA
• CET (Certified EKG Technician): NHA
• EHRC (Electronic Health Records Specialist): NHA 
• CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist): NHA
• PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification): administered by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy
• Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Powerpoint certifications

Explore Medical Career Paths

If you are ready to make a fresh start and take on a new path, a career in the medical field may be right for you.

Southern Careers Institute offers online and on-campus training programs in a variety of fields.

For example, programs are offered in Medical Assistance, Medical Office Assistance, Medical Billing and Coding, Nurse Aide, and for Pharmacy Technicians.

Basically, you can be ready for certification as a Nursing Assistant in as little as five weeks or complete any of the other programs in 33 to 36 weeks. Our graduates also have access to our Student Career Services which gives them exposure to potential employers.

Additionally, guest speakers, resume building, interviewing techniques, and job readiness training help with job search and being ready for the workplace.

Let Southern Careers Institute help you with a fresh start by contacting our offices at 1.833.SCI.TEXAS or Apply Online today!

Our friendly and professional admissions staff can help you decide on which medical career path you are best suited to. We’ll also walk you through the registration process and give advice on any financial aid you may qualify for.  

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-2
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2
• https://www.nursinglicensure.org/cna/texas-nursing-assistant.html
• https://www.redcross.org/
• https://www.nhanow.com/
• https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/applicants/tech-and-trainee.asp