6 High Paying, In-demand, Blood-free Healthcare Jobs (for the Squeamish)
Everyone knows that if you want a rewarding job – financially and emotionally – you go into healthcare. However, what if you can’t stand the sight of blood, hate to see people in pain and don’t know the right end of a stethoscope? There’s good news: there are healthcare jobs for you, too.
Despite the uncertain nature of America’s healthcare future, the healthcare industry is booming, and there are dozens of jobs that allow you to help people without coming into contact with bodily fluids. With only a small amount of preparation, you can make a positive impact (on patients and on your checking account) by applying your passion and determination to the following healthcare jobs:
Medical Sonography
In medicine, sonography is the use of sound to produce images, so doctors and other healthcare providers can better understand what is happening in places they can’t see. Sonography is increasingly popular thanks to its non-invasive nature, so the demand for trained sonographers is on the rise.
Sonographers operate the sound-producing equipment. Many specialize in different areas, such as obstetrics, musculoskeletal systems or breast tissues. As a sonographer, you can earn a median salary of $68,390, but by specializing in rarer fields, you can earn much more.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy assists patients in recovering the strength, mobility or motivation to perform daily tasks. Most often, occupational therapy patients are advanced in age, and as the population continues to grow older, demand for this type of healthcare service will certainly increase.
Occupational therapists must obtain a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and then they must become licensed by their state. If that seems like too much, you can become an occupational therapy assistant in under two years by pursuing certification in an occupational therapy assistance program. Occupational therapists can expect over $80,000 in wages, whereas assistants earn around $57,260 per year.
Counseling
As we delve deeper into psychology, we learn that mental health is just as important as physical health. The stigmas surrounding mental health diagnoses and treatment are slowly dissolving, so more people than ever are seeking counseling to develop balance and well-being in their lives.
Regardless of the type of counseling you are interested in offering – substance abuse, family and school, mental health, etc. – you need to acquire a master’s degree to practice legally. Fortunately, you can earn a Master’s in Counseling online, which will give you the flexibility to gain experience (or continue working) while you obtain this essential credential.
Medical Equipment Repair
If you have always been better with your hands, you might consider pursuing a career in medical equipment repair. Unsurprisingly, professionals in this field endeavor to maintain or fix medical equipment, so healthcare providers can use it to diagnose and treat patients without delay. Because the healthcare field is relying more and more on advanced technology, it is certain that those experienced in medical equipment repair will be in demand.
There are many tiers of work in this field. If you are eager to start, you can earn an associate’s degree in biomedical technology, but if you have the time and qualifications to gain a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, you should. Professionals at the lowest level of medical equipment repair earn median wages of about $48,540, but biomedical engineers and similar workers with advanced training can take home upwards of $86,220.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used to combat a number of diseases, but cancer is the most noteworthy and the most common ailment necessitating radiation. Typically, radiation therapists administer these treatments using specialized equipment, and they also monitor patient progress and provide counsel on treatment options.
Because radiation is so dangerous, so difficult to manage and so critical to patient success, radiation therapists tend to earn relatively high salaries, around $83,710. Yet, you can become a radiation therapist with only an associate’s degree in the field, making it one of the most attractive career options on this list.
Health Services Management
You don’t have to be making diagnoses and treatment plans, using medical equipment or even interfacing with patients to be an important contributor to effective healthcare. Healthcare administrators run the business side of major medical facilities, like clinics and hospitals; without the building of budgets, the management of staff and the supervision of the organization as a whole, few patients would have access to any healthcare whatsoever.
Most often, healthcare administrators come from business backgrounds; many have business degrees in health services management and similar fields. However, some nurses and doctors migrate to management, applying what they know of the job to improve staff and patient experiences. This is one of the highest paying jobs in healthcare, assuring you a six-figure salary, but it does take nearly a lifetime to work your way to the top.