Pursuing a career in the medical industry can be intimidating because of all the requirements to fulfill in your studies. Most professions also take years of education and training before employers consider them for a role in hospitals.
But don't be discouraged; you can still pursue a medical profession thanks to short healthcare sources.
Short healthcare courses enable anyone to work in the medical sector without spending tremendous time and money on higher education. Many of these even offer competitive salaries and can open rewarding pathways.
The following are our recommended short-term courses in medical field schools that do not require years of academic commitment:
1. Surgical Technology Certificate
By taking a surgical technology certificate, you can make a career assisting surgeons and other medical professionals. Your responsibilities revolve around preparing the patients' operating rooms and equipment for upcoming surgical operations.
Many programs under the surgical technology certificate are accredited by CAAHEP or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow tremendously depending on location and experience.
Demand for surgical techs can increase, and plenty of work options are available in various specialized areas. The average time of completion for this program is 10-14 months.
2. Medical Records Coder
Taking a medical records coder program can provide opportunities to work as a medical billing and coding specialist. Your duties will include rendering patient healthcare services into an alphanumerical code, accurately translating diagnosis, operations, and equipment use.
The job is in high demand and offers flexible work hours on top of training and immediate work. You'll learn plenty of knowledge in medical terminologies, physiology, health data management, medical law, and many more, but you need to be meticulous.
The medical records coder certificate program can be completed within 8-13 months.
3. Pharmacy Technician Certificate
You can become an assistant to licensed pharmacists by taking the pharmacy technician certificate. Your job may include various pharmacy-related functions like administrative and bookkeeping roles, assisting customers, cleaning the pharmacy area, filling customer orders, and inventory control.
You'll also learn mathematical skills for pharmaceutical practices and the utilization of software programs from professionals in the field.
The average time for completing this program may take around 8-12 months.
4. Nursing Assistant
Maybe you thought of becoming a nurse once but decided not to continue because you think you cannot dedicate yourself to such profession. Fortunately, you can still work alongside nurses as a nursing assistant.
Unlike the primary profession, all you need to become a nursing assistant is a skillset acquired from a certification program.
As a nursing assistant, you help nurses in their work, such as managing tools and equipment, administering medication, recording patient details, preparing patient rooms, among others. Completion of a nursing assistant certification program is around 6-8 months.
5. Sterile Processing Technician
All allied health professionals contribute to the efficiency of the medical industry. But in terms of sanitation, sterile processing technicians (SPTs) may be considered the heart of patient safety.
Taking an SPT program allows you to play the crucial role of preventing the spread of infection across patients in hospitals and clinics.
As a sterile processing technician, you are tasked with many responsibilities, including sterilization and decontamination of medical equipment and tools, organization, assembling, and distribution of supplies, and maintaining inventory. There are many well-paying job opportunities in store, and the demand is constantly on the rise.
Completing your training in a sterile processing technician program won't take long. You only need to dedicate eight weeks to three months of study and training before you can take the exam on the way to becoming a fully-fledged SPT.
Interested in becoming a sterile processing technician? Martinson College offers quality, accelerated adult programs for sterile processing and other related courses. To schedule an appointment, call (888)625-0059.
Read More: Short Certificate Programs the Pay Well
