Healthcare is a dynamic and rewarding field, offering a variety of career paths for those just starting out. If you're considering a career in healthcare but aren't sure where to begin, this blog is for you. We'll explore 10 entry-level jobs in the healthcare sector, detailing what each role involves, typical work environments, and the pros and cons of each position.

Patient Care Technician

What They Do: Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) provide hands-on care to patients with various health needs. They often assist with daily activities, monitor vital signs, and perform basic medical procedures. It’s a combination of EKG, CNA, and Phlebotomy all in one.

Where They Work: PCTs are found in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and sometimes in home health environments.

Pros:

• Diverse Skills: PCTs gain experience in several aspects of patient care.
• Start Working in Hospitals: PCTs are a great way to break into working in a hospital, which a lot of our students at Dreambound want to do. This role can lead to other healthcare positions too, given the EKG, CNA, and Phlebotomy skill sets all in one.
• Training Can Be Done Online: Great for those needing a flexible schedule

Cons:

• Physical Demands: The job can be physically taxing, requiring lifting and long hours standing.
• Emotional Stress: Dealing with sick or injured patients can be emotionally challenging.

Find Patient Care Technician certification training here

Medical Assistant

What They Do: Medical assistants play a crucial role in healthcare, performing both administrative and clinical tasks. They might schedule appointments, maintain medical records, and assist with examinations.

Where They Work: You'll find medical assistants in hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

Pros:

• Versatile Skill Set: Medical assistants learn a range of skills, from patient care to administrative tasks. 
• Career Foundation: This role can be a stepping stone to other healthcare professions. MAs can work in more settings than almost any other allied health role - from labs, to doctors’ offices, and hospitals.
• Training Can Be Done Online: Great for those needing a flexible schedule

Cons:

• Long and Expensive Training: MA programs are generally 9-12 months, if not longer, which can make the training a lot more expensive
• Low(ish) Pay: Although MAs can get paid better than CNAs or PCTs, a lot of people don’t find the expensive training to be worth it.
• Varied Responsibilities: The role can be demanding, juggling multiple tasks.

Find Medical Assistant certification training here

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

What They Do: These specialists manage and code health information for insurance billing. They translate medical procedures into standardized codes for billing purposes.

Where They Work: Their work settings include hospitals, medical offices, and insurance companies.

Pros:

• Flexible Work Environment: Opportunities for remote work are common. As a result, Medical Billing and Coding is the most popular program on Dreambound and we highly recommend it!
• Critical Role: They ensure healthcare providers are properly reimbursed.
• Some Schools Offer Financial Aid: MBC programs are often Associate’s or diploma programs at colleges, so financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
• Training Can Be Done Online: Great for those needing a flexible schedule

Cons:

• Intense Job: The job requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Jobs also often require a quota of a certain amount, which can be intense for those not used to fast-paced work.
• Isolation: The role can be isolating, especially in remote settings.

Find Medical Billing / Coding certification training here

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

What They Do: LPNs provide basic nursing care, like checking blood pressure, dressing wounds, and administering medication.

Where They Work: LPNs work in settings like nursing homes, hospitals, and private homes.

Pros:

• Quick(ish) Certification: LPN programs are relatively short, often taking about a year.
• High Demand: There’s a steady need for LPNs, especially in elder care.

Cons:

• Limited Scope: LPNs have a narrower scope of practice compared to Registered Nurses (RNs).
• Physically Demanding: The job can be physically strenuous, with long hours on your feet.
• Training Can’t Be Done Online: LPN programs are also hard to get into given how many people want to do it.

Find Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN/LPN) license training here

Pharmacy Technician

What They Do: Pharmacy techs assist pharmacists in preparing and dispensing medications, managing inventory, and handling customer queries.

Where They Work: They're employed in pharmacies, hospitals, and retail stores.

Pros:

• Growing Field: With an aging population, the demand for prescription medications is increasing.
• Skill Development: Technicians gain valuable knowledge about medications and health care.

Cons:

• Repetitive Work: The job can be monotonous, with many routine tasks.
• Lower Wages: Pharmacy techs are typically on the lower end of the pay scale in healthcare.

Find Pharmacy Technician certification training here

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

What They Do: CNAs provide basic patient care under the supervision of nursing staff, assisting with daily living activities and basic care services.

Where They Work: They are commonly employed in nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities.

Pros:

• Emotionally Rewarding: CNAs often form close relationships with patients.
• Career Pathway: It’s a great starting point for those aiming to become RNs or LPNs.

Cons:

• Physically Demanding: The role involves a lot of physical work, including lifting patients.
• Lower Wages: CNAs are typically on the lower end of the pay scale in healthcare.

Find Certified Nursing Assistant certification training here

EKG Technician

What They Do: EKG Technicians specialize in electrocardiogram (EKG) testing for patients. They attach electrodes to a patient's body and record the electrical impulses transmitted by the heart.

Where They Work: These technicians are typically found in hospitals, cardiology clinics, and sometimes in outpatient care centers.

Pros:

• Specialized Skill: EKG techs have a specific, in-demand skill set.
• Patient Interaction: Direct interaction with patients can be rewarding.
• Short Training: EKG is one of our favorites given how short the training is and it pays solidly compared to other allied health roles. It’s definitely under-pursued, so we highly recommend it!

Cons:

• Technical Precision: The role requires a high level of precision and technical skill.
• Emotionally Demanding: Working with cardiac patients can be stressful.

Find Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) certification training here

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (DMS)

What They Do: DMS professionals use ultrasound machines to create images of internal body structures, aiding doctors in diagnosing and monitoring various conditions such as pregnancies and heart diseases.

Where They Work: Commonly in hospitals, but also in physician's offices, diagnostic laboratories, and mobile imaging service centers.

• Pros:
  • Patient Interaction: Directly engage with patients, explaining procedures and ensuring comfort.
  • Technologically Advanced Field: Utilize cutting-edge imaging technology.
  • Good Job Outlook: Growing demand for diagnostic imaging.
• Cons:
  • Physically Demanding: Requires standing for long durations and occasionally maneuvering patients.
  • High Level of Responsibility: Accurate imaging is critical for correct diagnoses.

Phlebotomy

What They Do: Phlebotomists help with drawing blood and other biological specimens. Then then also handling the processing of it.

Where They Work: Generally, they work at labs like Labcorp or Quest, although they may also work at a hospital or as a travel phlebotomist.

Pros:

• Rewarding Work: We've heard a lot of phlebotomists say they love it when they are able to get the blood draw to be painless for a patient!
• Diverse Patient Interaction: They work with a variety of patient age groups and conditions.

Cons:

• Slightly Fewer Jobs: Less in demand than some of the other roles listed above. As such, might be tough to get a full-time role.

Find Phlebotomy certification training here

Sterile Processing Technician (SPT)

What They Do: SPTs are key players in preventing infections in healthcare settings. They clean, sterilize, and prepare medical instruments and equipment. This means decontaminating used surgical tools, organizing and assembling instrument trays for surgeries, and ensuring that everything is properly sterilized and stored.

Where They Work: They're mainly found in hospitals, particularly in surgical departments and central supply areas. But they can also work in outpatient care centers and dental offices.

Pros:

• Crucial Role in Patient Safety: They help prevent infections, making their work super important.
• Detail-oriented Work: Perfect for those who love meticulous, organized tasks.
• Opportunities for Advancement: with experience, they can move into supervisory or managerial roles.

Cons:

• Physically Demanding: involves standing for long periods and handling heavy equipment.
• High Responsibility: any mistake in sterilization can have serious consequences.

Find Sterile Processing Tech certification training here

So, how to pick?

Understand Your Interests and Strengths

Identify Your Passion: Do you enjoy direct patient interaction or do you prefer administrative tasks? Understanding what you enjoy most is crucial in choosing a healthcare career. For instance, if you have a passion for hands-on patient care, roles like Medical Assistant or Patient Care Technician might be ideal for you.

Assess Your Skills: Are you detail-oriented, good at communicating, or skilled in using technology? Different healthcare jobs require different skill sets. For example, if you have strong organizational skills, you might excel in medical billing and coding.

Understand the Job Market

Look at Employment Trends: Research the demand for various healthcare jobs in your area. Some roles, such as Home Health Aides, are in high demand due to the aging population.

Consider Future Growth: Choose a job that offers good prospects for future growth and opportunities for advancement.

Consider Work Environment and Lifestyle

Determine Your Preferred Work Setting: Healthcare jobs are available in various settings, from hospitals and clinics to private homes. Consider where you would feel most comfortable and fulfilled.

Evaluate Work-Life Balance: Think about how a job will fit into your lifestyle. Consider factors like work hours, stress level, and physical demands of the job.

Choosing the right entry-level healthcare job is a personal decision that depends on your interests, skills, and career aspirations. By taking the time to understand your preferences, researching different roles, and gaining firsthand experience, you can make a choice that sets you on a path to a fulfilling and successful career in healthcare. Remember, the healthcare field is diverse, and there is a role for every passion and skill set.