Want to make a difference? Six jobs in the medical industry to consider
The state of the world’s health wouldn’t be anywhere near as good as it is now without the incredible people that dedicate their lives to the healthcare industry.
But, not only does becoming a medical professional take a special kind of person, it also takes a lot of time, training and money to pass. However, there are some roles that don’t need you to go through extensive training beforehand.
So, if you’re looking to make a difference in the medical industry but can’t afford to be out of a job for too long training, take a look at these jobs that you could take on instead.
1) Medical administrator
You may know these as the dreaded Doctor’s receptionists, but you should actually give them more credit than they get. While they may seem flustered and in a rush on the phone, they actually have a whole myriad of tasks going on in the background. Not only do they answer calls and make appointments, but they also have other tasks like:
- Making referrals for Doctors. If the Doctor sees a patient that needs care from a specialist, they will task their medical administrators to make that referral happen.
- Following up on appointments. Sometimes Doctors will want to see a patient a few weeks down the line for a check up. It’s the responsibility of a medical administrator to follow this up and make the appointment.
- Updating medical records. While the Doctor will fill in the patient’s medical records after the appointment, a medical administrator will also update their records with appointment letters and test results so that the Doctor always has as much information as possible in front of them.
- Chaperoning. Sometimes patients don’t feel comfortable with examinations and want someone to stand in to make sure nothing untoward happens. If they didn’t bring anyone themselves, a medical administrator can sometimes stand in for their peace of mind.
- Assisting multiple Doctors – medical administrators are usually paired with certain Doctors to do admin tasks on their behalf to free up the Doctor’s time.
- Manning the front desk. They will also be on hand to greet patients and book them in as they enter the Doctor’s surgery.
While you do need training for this kind of role, you usually receive it on the job. It’s a great opportunity for someone to be a part of the medical industry that can’t handle the more squeamish side that Doctors, Nurses and Surgeons do.
2) Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist will take blood samples from patients when Doctors or other medical professionals have asked their patient to take a blood test. While a lot of people are used to visiting a nurse to have blood taken, a phlebotomist specialises in this area only.
You will need to take a phlebotomy certification course, but it’s an area that doesn’t require long stints of training, and may even be able to be completed in your free time. As a phlebotomist you can expect roles like:
- Taking blood, urine, sputum and throat samples to send off for lab testing.
- Perform the tests
- Report results back to the referring clinician.
It might not seem like much, but these roles are so vital when it comes to finding out whether a patient is healthy or not. It needs someone with attention to detail and that cares about the welfare of others. If this sounds like you, it could be a great role to contribute towards the medical industry.
3) Dental assistant
If you’ve got the patience and compassion to deal with people that are struggling with dental issues, then a dental assistant might be a role to consider. It can be extremely rewarding because not only do you help alleviate pain and discomfort for your patients, but healthy teeth and gums can also contribute towards mental well-being too. You’ll be doing things like:
- Making follow up appointments
- Taking x-rays
- Assisting the dentist with procedures
- Helping with updating patient records
- Caring for the patients while under your care
If you’re not ready or able to dedicate your time to training to become a dentist, then this might just be a great role for you. In some cases, good high school grades are enough to get the job because you’ll learn as you go and be making a difference at the same time!
4) Medical equipment repairs
If you want to make a difference in the medical industry but don’t have the stomach for some of the things that come hand in hand with it, then why not consider another aspect like repairing medical equipment?
You’ll need to have experience in mechanical repairs beforehand, but this could be from any previous job you may have done. You won’t need to go through any medical qualifications, and you may even be able to learn on the job without having to take time off work.
Imagine being able to be on hand to repair a hospital’s valuable equipment. They’re already underfunded and understaffed, so if you can help repair a machine that could save someone’s life, you absolutely should.
5) Suicide hotlines
A sad fact of life is that even in a world where poor mental health is no longer shunned, people still get to the point where they don’t want to carry on with life. The problem the world faces here is that while there are many suicide hotlines, there are often not enough staff to handle the workload.
Becoming someone who answers the phone for a suicide hotline and listens to people’s problems is a challenging, but very rewarding job. You’ll be given resources and helpful things to say to help people through a tough time in their life. Again, you will probably receive training on the job, so no need for prior qualifications.
6) Care assistant
Finally, another way to break into the medical industry without any extensive training is by becoming a care assistant. Care assistants are hired to help give personal care to those who can’t look after themselves.
This could mean young children, or it might mean the elderly, or it could even be anything in between. Most of the time, you’ll get training on the job and can make a real difference when it comes to improving someone’s quality of life.
