Are you a CNA looking for a change of pace? Look no further – this blog post is full of alternatives to CNA and other career paths in the healthcare sector. We’ll explore the different job requirements, pay scales, and more. Let’s get started!
Why Consider Other Healthcare Careers?
Choosing a career in the healthcare field can be a rewarding and fulfilling choice. With so many different paths to choose from, it is important to explore all of the options available before deciding on the right choice.
CNA positions are a great entry-level introduction to healthcare careers, as they give individuals a chance to work with a variety of other nursing professionals and offer many opportunities for growth.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to Other Professions |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | High school diploma or equivalent, completion of a state-approved nursing assistant program | Projected to grow 8% from 2019-2029 | $30,830 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Easy |
But there are so many other rewarding healthcare careers that should be considered! From medical assistants and allied health professionals to physician assistants and registered nurses, there is an array of paths to choose from in the healthcare industry.
Each career path offers unique rewards and opportunities for those interested in helping others in need. It is important to explore all of these paths before settling on the one that is right for you.
Medical Assistant: What Does This Role Entail?
A Medical Assistant is a healthcare professional who provides both clinical and administrative support to physicians and other healthcare personnel.
They perform a variety of duties, including preparing patients for exams, taking vital signs, administering injections, collecting and processing lab specimens, entering patient information into electronic medical records systems, and scheduling appointments.
In addition to these clinical duties, they may also be responsible for stocking medical supplies and maintaining patient records. These individuals are essential members of the healthcare team, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Medical Assistant | Postsecondary nondegree award or diploma from an accredited program | Projected to grow 19% from 2019-2029 | $35,850 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Easy |
Occupational Therapist: A Career in Helping Patients Regain Functionality
Occupational therapists help patients regain functionality and improve daily functioning through therapeutic activities, exercises, movement, and education.
These professionals work with a variety of patient populations, including children, seniors, and those with physical or mental disabilities. They also work in various settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, in-home care facilities, and nursing homes.
Occupational therapists provide a unique kind of care and help to patients by giving them the tools they need to live a more independent life. They often use assistive devices like wheelchairs or prosthetics to provide better mobility and function. They also provide advice on how to modify activities to make them more accessible for their patients. With the right knowledge and training, occupational therapists can help their patients lead more fulfilling lives.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Occupational Therapist | Master’s degree in occupational therapy | Projected to grow 16% from 2019-2029 | $86,280 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Healthcare Administrator: Managing Facilities and Services
Healthcare administrators play a vital role in providing efficient and effective healthcare services. They manage the day-to-day operations of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They are responsible for coordinating services, overseeing budgets, developing policies and procedures, and ensuring that the facility is in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Healthcare administrators also supervise staff, handle customer service issues, and create strategies to improve patient care. To become a healthcare administrator, you will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field. With the proper education and experience, healthcare administrators can pursue roles in executive management or specialize in areas such as finance or human resources.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Healthcare Administrator | Bachelor’s or master’s degree in healthcare administration or related field | Projected to grow 32% from 2019-2029 | $104,280 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hardest |
Physician Assistant: A High-Demand Career with a Focus on Patient Care
Physician assistants are in high demand in the healthcare field, with positions expected to grow by 31% between 2019 and 2029. This high-demand career is focused on patient care and offers a chance to work with doctors to diagnose and treat patients.
As more people seek healthcare services, PAs will be needed to help doctors provide quality care efficiently. With their specialized knowledge and training, PAs can diagnose conditions, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, assist in surgery, and provide patient education.
Working as a PA allows you to work closely with patients while making a difference in their lives. It is an excellent choice for those who wish to pursue a career in healthcare that offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Physician Assistant | Master’s degree from an accredited program | Projected to grow 31% from 2019-2029 | $115,390 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Registered Nurse: A Versatile Career with Many Specializations
Registered nurses (RNs) are a highly versatile profession, with many specializations that allow them to provide care in a variety of settings. RNs can pursue careers in the traditional bedside care roles, such as working in a hospital or long-term care facility, as well as specialty roles such as informatics, telemetry, teaching, and coaching.
There are over 150 nursing specialties and alternative career options available to RNs, including reproductive health and chiropractic assistant roles.
The role of an RN goes beyond providing direct patient care; they also play an important role in providing education and support to patients and their families. By exploring the various specializations available to RNs, they can find the right fit for their career aspirations.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing | Projected to grow 7% from 2019-2029 | $75,330 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Medical Technologist: Contributing to Patient Care through Laboratory Science
Medical technologists play an important role in patient care by using laboratory science to analyze and diagnose medical conditions. This profession requires a combination of detail-oriented analytical skills, scientific knowledge, and a passion for helping patients.
Medical technologists take samples from patients and then use specialized equipment to perform tests and analyze the results. They must be able to interpret the data accurately and draw conclusions that will help healthcare providers diagnose and treat diseases.
Medical technologists also work with laboratory accreditation standards to ensure the accuracy of results, often focusing on quality assurance. With the right training, medical technologists can make a real difference in patient care by providing vital information to healthcare providers.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Medical Technologist | Bachelor’s degree in medical technology or related field | Projected to grow 7% from 2019-2029 | $53,120 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Physical Therapist: A Career in Helping Patients Recover from Injuries
Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who help patients recover from injuries and disabilities. They use a variety of techniques to assist in the rehabilitation of patients, including exercises, stretches, and massage therapy.
Physical therapists must have a strong understanding of the human body and how it works in order to properly diagnose and treat their patients. With the rise in demand for physical therapy services, this is an extremely rewarding and high-growth career choice for those interested in helping others.
As a physical therapist, you’ll play an important role in restoring patients’ abilities to move and function, as well as improving their quality of life. This is one of many healthcare career paths that combines medical knowledge with compassionate care, making it a great choice for those looking to make a difference.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Physical Therapist | Doctoral degree in physical therapy | Projected to grow 18% from 2019-2029 | $91,010 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Dental Hygienist: Providing Oral Health Services to Patients
Dental hygienists are responsible for providing oral health services to patients. They work closely with dentists to promote the patient’s oral health and provide preventive and educational care. Dental hygienists take X-rays of the mouth, clean teeth, apply sealants, and provide patient education on topics such as proper oral hygiene practices.
They may also help medical patients navigate their dental needs, helping to bridge the gap between medicine and dentistry. Dental hygienists play an important role in helping to keep people healthy, and those pursuing a career in this field can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Dental Assistant | Postsecondary nondegree award or on-the-job training | Projected to grow 11% from 2019-2029 | $40,080 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Easy |
Respiratory Therapist: Treating Patients with Breathing and Cardiovascular Disorders
Respiratory therapists are highly trained professionals who specialize in treating breathing and cardiovascular disorders. They work with patients of all ages to help them manage their conditions and improve their lung and heart health.
RTs work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to nursing homes to sleep centers. They are responsible for giving medication and aerosol therapy, performing pulmonary function tests, providing oxygen therapy, determining blood gases, managing airways, and helping patients with mechanical ventilation.
In addition, they teach patients how to manage their own breathing with the use of inhalers and other devices as needed. As people age, their lungs become less efficient so respiratory therapists are also responsible for helping older adults regain or maintain their lung function. With the introduction of more advanced treatments and therapies, respiratory therapists have many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of patients.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Respiratory Therapist | Associate’s degree in respiratory therapy | Projected to grow 19% from 2019-2029 | $63,010 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Speech-Language Pathologist: Improving Communication and Swallowing Abilities
Speech-language pathologists are highly trained medical professionals that specialize in treating communication and swallowing disorders. They work with people of all ages, ranging from infants to elderly persons, to help them improve their ability to communicate and swallow.
They use a variety of assessments and treatments to help people regain or maintain their communication skills.
Additionally, they must complete coursework and a fellowship to be licensed in most states. For those interested in exploring other healthcare careers, becoming a speech-language pathologist is a rewarding and lucrative career choice.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | Master’s degree in speech-language pathology | Projected to grow 25% from 2019-2029 | $80,480 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Radiologic Technologist: Using Medical Imaging Techniques to Diagnose and Treat Patients
Radiologic technologists are valuable members of the healthcare team, using sophisticated medical imaging techniques to diagnose and treat patients. They also assist radiologists by preparing patients for imaging procedures, positioning them correctly and operating the imaging equipment.
Radiologic technologists typically work in hospitals, imaging centers and other medical facilities. With an increasing demand for these professionals, there are plenty of career opportunities available for those who are properly trained and certified.
Radiologic technologists must be knowledgeable in patient care techniques, radiation safety protocols and the use of imaging equipment. With the right qualifications and experience, radiologic technologists can find rewarding careers in the healthcare field.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Radiologic Technologist | Associate’s degree in radiologic technology | Projected to grow 7% from 2019-2029 | $62,280 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Hard |
Health Educator: Promoting Healthy Habits and Lifestyles in the Community
Health Educators play a critical role in promoting healthy habits and lifestyles in the community. They are responsible for informing people about health topics, diseases prevention, and how to lead healthier lives.
Health Educators can be found in a variety of settings such as nonprofit organizations, nursing homes, group homes, or treatment facilities. Jobs in allied healthcare can suit a variety of skill sets and involve building relationships with the community and having good communication skills. Health Educators typically hold a degree in health education or a related field and have an understanding of public health issues.
Their job duties involve teaching people about illness prevention, helping them access healthcare resources, and providing support to individuals seeking counseling or treatment related to reproductive health. Health Educators also focus on creating programs that promote good health within the community by raising awareness about important health topics. With the ever-changing healthcare landscape, Health Educators will be needed more than ever to inform people on how to live healthy lifestyles that promote wellness.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Health Educator | Bachelor’s degree in health education or related field | Projected to grow 11% from 2019-2029 | $49,660 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Easy |
Health Information Technician: Managing Medical Records and Data
Health information technicians are responsible for managing medical records and data. This includes managing patient information, creating and maintaining databases, and ensuring the accuracy of records. They are also in charge of coding data, tracking patient health outcomes, and collecting information related to epidemiology, quality assurance, and reimbursement.
With a degree in Health Information Technology, they can specialize in areas such as clinical informatics, privacy and security of health data, and medical coding. Health information technicians play an important role in ensuring the accuracy of patient data and keeping it secure. Their skills are invaluable in helping healthcare organizations better serve their patients.
| Healthcare Profession | Education Requirements | Job Market Statistics | Median Pay | Compared to CNA |
| Health Information Technician | Postsecondary nondegree award or associate’s degree in health information technology | Projected to grow 8% from 2019-2029 | $42,630 per year (May 2020 median pay) | Easy |
Choosing the Right Healthcare Career for You
Choosing the right healthcare career for you should be based on your strengths, interests, and future goals. It can be a difficult decision, but there are many options available in the healthcare field. From medical assistants to radiologic technologists, you can find a career that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of others. With the help of professional resources like mentors, career counselors, and job postings, you can find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that no matter which healthcare career path you choose, it will come with its own unique set of challenges and rewards.