Types of Medical Field Jobs
The medical field is booming, so the need for qualified professionals is increasing. There are many options in healthcare in addition to becoming a doctor or nurse, which is good news for those who have neither the means nor desire to attend medical school or study for an RN. Hospitals and medical centers employ people in a variety of different jobs that all fall under the medical field.
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Administrative
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Medical office assistants, secretaries, receptionists, and records clerks, as well as patient services clerks and hospital administrators, fall under the category of administrative positions in the medical field. These jobs require knowledge of medical office procedures, accounting software, filing systems and legal issues. Most of them require a degree or certificate from a medical office program, and administrative or clerical positions in hospitals, clinics and home care agencies may have very specific requirements for employment.
Professional
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Professional medical jobs include general practitioners, surgeons, and licensed and registered nurses. These jobs require a professional license from a state licensing board as well as documented completion of a medical training program. They involve hands-on patient care and an ability to show compassion and concern for patients. As of March 2011, the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of nurses, as these caregivers are retiring at a greater rate than new nurses are being trained.
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Technicians
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Pharmacy technician, laboratory technician, ultrasound technician, x-ray technician, and emergency medical technician are just a few medical jobs that fall into the technician category. Classroom training and many hours of clinical laboratory practice in biology and chemistry is a prerequisite for these positions. Technicians assist doctors and other medical staff by performing diagnostic testing to help diagnose patient conditions and they perform medical procedures requested by doctors. Some technicians provide life-saving medical care while patients are en route to hospitals.
Allied Health Professions
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Certified nursing assistants, patient care assistants, home health aides, physician's assistants, and physical and occupational therapists provide support services to doctors and nurses as well as patients. Nursing assistants and home health aides, who are in high demand due to our aging population, care for patients in settings such as nursing facilities, hospitals and group homes. Training courses are less than a year long in most states.
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References
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