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How to Get Into Entry-level Healthcareby Suzann Kale
How Much Does It Pay?If you want to be recession-proof, and have a few months to invest in training, the healthcare industry may be just what the doctor ordered!
How to Get CertifiedThe good news: you can get certification in these fields from local community colleges, from state universities, from online courses, and from local technical schools. The important thing is to get the certification, and keep your certification current. More good news: Getting certified need not take all that much time. For instance, it may take 9 months of classes to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). It might only take 1 to 6 months to complete a pharmacy technician certification program (PTCB), and it could take up to 2 years for a medical receptionist. It varies from job to job. Look at the jobs available in your area and see what they are asking for in terms of schooling or certification. continued below |
Entry-level positions include medical transcriptionists (earning around $13 to $15/hour), receptionist positions ($9 to $16/hour), medical coding and billing ($9 to $18/hour), certified nursing assistant ($8 to $14/hour), certified pharmacy technician ($8 to $15/hour), physical therapy assistant ($9 to $15/hour), medical records clerk ($8 to $15/hour), and more. Overtime, of course, pays more.
How Long Does Training Take?To break into the medical transcriptionist field (Medical Transcriptionist Certified, or MTC) you're looking at approximately 300 hours of classes, plus 100 hours of actually doing it.
Medical billing and coding requires between 18 months to 2 years of classes.
How Much Does Training Cost?Most schools and programs have financial aid available. It's worth checking out a number of institutions to see what they offer. Without financial aid, costs for certification can range from $500 (entry-level pharmacy tech) to $2300 (medical transcriptionist). Find a Health Career that Suits Your StyleWhen looking at entry-level health careers, also consider the environment in which you want to work. A medical transcriptionist often works alone, and many work from home. If you're a people-person, you'll want to work in an office or hospital where you'll have team-mates and colleagues.  |
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