When it comes to choosing the right healthcare job, there are an abundance of options for graduates and aspiring students. Depending on what you’re looking for out of your healthcare career, some jobs may provide more benefits. Here, Prism Career Institute talks about the different healthcare occupations you can pursue and the benefits of becoming a healthcare worker.
The Different Healthcare Occupations
There are many different options for work in the healthcare field, including:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs are in charge of basic, everyday medical duties. This can include:
- Speaking with patients and families
- Monitoring vitals
- Feeding patients
They work closely with a doctor or RN (registered nurse) to provide patient care. Communicating with patients and their families is a large role of licensed practical nursing. This is because you’re the one to explain procedures, post-care responsibilities, and other essential information.
Medical Assisting
A medical assistant is responsible for completing clinical and administrative tasks. They conduct regular but important duties that appear in medical settings, such as:
- Manage patient records
- Fill out forms
- Billing and coding
- Gather vitals
- Organize patients’ medical history
- Patient prep
Medical Coding
A medical coding career involves the process of transcribing notes from doctors and other medical professionals and turning them into medical codes. Medical codes are essential for storing abundant amounts of information and sending it to the necessary insurance companies. They also keep patient information organized and accessible across many platforms.
Medical codes typically include information like patient diagnoses, conditions, treatments, medical care plans, history, and more. There are three basic types of medical codes that professionals must know and understand:
- Internal Classification of Disease (ICD)
- Current Procedure Technology (CPT)
- Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
Phlebotomy
Phlebotomists are medical professionals who deal with blood. They are in charge of drawing blood from patients and taking samples for testing or donation purposes. They can also complete blood transfusions along with additional roles, including:
- Keep supplies organized
- Patient prep
- Work with other physicians and healthcare workers
- Sanitizing equipment
Those pursuing a phlebotomy career path should have an extensive understanding and knowledge of safety practices and techniques for drawing blood.
Benefits of Working in Healthcare
Working in healthcare can provide many advantages, including:
Job Security
The need for healthcare workers is constantly rising, especially following the pandemic. This means there are plenty of job opportunities for graduates. Because there are vast possibilities when it comes to your healthcare career, you can even have the freedom to move to different cities.
Healthcare is essential for communities all around the world, meaning the industry isn’t going anywhere. In other words, graduates will always have a job in the healthcare industry. In addition, different healthcare settings can provide different benefits. For some, they can provide flexible, unique scheduling like getting to work either days or nights. Earning the right certifications can allow graduates to choose their schedules.
Stable Income & Benefits
Some healthcare jobs can be done without a traditional two or four-year degree. Instead, they’ll enroll in specialized medical programs that can be completed within a few months. This allows students to earn a steady income without paying costly tuition expenses. It can also work to get aspiring healthcare workers into the workforce faster, allowing them to begin earning a stable income. Many healthcare jobs also come with benefits, like paid time off (PTO), health insurance, and 401K savings.
Work in Many Medical Settings
Those who work in the healthcare field can choose which environment they’d work best in. With the right certifications and experience, healthcare workers can hold positions in a variety of medical settings, such as:
- Doctor’s offices
- Assisted living facilities
- Hospital
- Healthcare clinics
Looking at your own needs and what you want from your healthcare career can help you determine which medical setting would most benefit you. For example, hospitals are typically fast-paced work environments that involve long hours and rigorous activity. However, those who work in a hospital can also enjoy benefits like more days off during the week. While this can be an ideal option for some, others may want a more relaxed, traditional office environment, like a private practice.
Prism Career Institute Can Help
Finding the right healthcare job can be confusing, but Prism Career Institute is here to assist. We offer a variety of courses for many settings in the healthcare field. With convenient course scheduling and skilled instructors, we give students the tools and resources needed to become successful in the healthcare industry post-graduation. We have locations across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ. To learn more about the medical programs and other courses we offer, contact us or apply online today.