The Bureau of Labor Statistics is expecting the healthcare industry to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028. This means that healthcare career opportunities will also steadily grow, with openings across nearly every position and sector within the field. Now you may be thinking, “I don’t have a medical degree or healthcare background,” but thankfully, there are numerous non-clinical healthcare jobs that need talented people to fill them.
If you’re interested in a healthcare career, here is a quick guide to non-medical healthcare careers and the 15 most lucrative jobs you should consider.
Aside from the near-certain job security, there are many reasons that you should pursue a healthcare career. Here are some of the top benefits of working in healthcare:
You Get to Contribute to Patient Care: As our population ages and the strain on our medical system increases, the need for educated, qualified, high-quality healthcare personnel will be more important than ever. Even in a non-clinical position, you would be positively contributing to the health and wellbeing of patients and the system as a whole, making a lasting impact on many in the process.
High Salary Potential: On the whole, healthcare professionals tend to have higher than average salaries. This rings true for non-clinical positions, where the average salary for non-clinical workers is approximately $54,000, which is slightly above average and poised to grow.
Less Education Requirements: Non-clinical healthcare positions almost always require less formal education than clinical ones. This makes moving into one of these roles or even changing careers more approachable for adult professionals. For roles that do require specialized training, courses are usually shorter and can be taken in the form of continuing education courses.
Taking a medical terminology course is a great first step to equip you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to be successful.
A respiratory therapist helps patients with chronic or severe pulmonary diseases find ways to ease some of their symptoms in hopes of living a normal life.
Average salary: $61,000
Required education: Associate’s degree
Dietitians and nutritionists help patients implement healthy, nutritious diets to assist in weight loss, disease management, and more.
Average salary: $63,000
Required education: Bachelor’s degree
Radiology and MRI technicians perform diagnostic imaging procedures such as x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and more.
Average salary: $71,000
Sonographers perform diagnostic tests, but more specifically they conduct sonograms and ultrasounds that help physicians see and diagnose disorders of the organs.
Average salary: $72,000
In this field, orthotic and prosthetics professionals help design, make and fit prosthetic limbs and braces to support patients with physical ailments.
Average salary: $79,000
Required education: Master’s degree
This position oversees the operations side of a hospital and healthcare center, namely business functions, budgeting, finance, technology and more.
Average salary: Up to $98,000
Dental hygienists perform the initial check-up and cleaning on dental patients, as well as taking X-rays, applying sealants and other functions.
Average salary: $80,000
Also known as SLPs, speech pathologists work with both adults and children to diagnose and treat speech and swallowing disorders.
A relatively new discipline, genetic counselors use DNA to assess family or individual risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as birth defects or genetic disorders.
Healthcare writers are tasked with writing healthcare-centered content for things like patient education, research, equipment and technology operation and more.
Average salary: $69,000
Medical records managers use the latest methods and technology to gather, organize and manage health data information and medical records.
Average salary: $82,000
Required education: Associate’s degree or advanced certificate
Radiation therapists help treat cancer patients with specific, targeted radiation therapy.
Average salary: $98,000
These non-clinical healthcare professionals help people regain or develop the skills and functions needed for day-to-day living through therapeutic exercises and stretches.
Average salary: $84,000
Health educators help promote healthy lifestyles and wellness by teaching specific behaviors and choices that can prevent disease and other health problems.
Average salary: $70,000
If you’re new to the healthcare industry, or are considering a career change, you probably have some apprehensions about making such a big leap. However, there are a few tricks that can help make the transition easier and set you up for success in your new healthcare career.
Non-clinical healthcare involves interactions with patients but does not directly administer any clinical care. Non-clinical healthcare workers may assist clinical providers, but they do not diagnose or observe patients.
Some of the most popular non-clinical jobs in healthcare include Healthcare Administrator, Speech-Language Pathologist, Genetic Counselor, Healthcare Writer, and Medical Records Manager.
When you work in healthcare, you can look forward to high job security, growing job opportunities, above average salaries, varying education requirements and the knowledge that you are serving the greater good.
There are many bachelor and master’s degree programs that can help you take your healthcare career to the next level. However, many non-clinical professions don’t require formal degrees, and can be achieved with continuing education or healthcare certificates, like the ones offered at the University of San Diego Division of Professional and Continuing Education.
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