“What Could I Do In School That Would Lead To A Good Career?”

There’s no question that healthcare is one of our best and fastest-growing. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, jobs in healthcare are bound to become even hotter. The best news is that there are many jobs within the healthcare industry that require only two years of study or less and that can be learned at a community or junior college. Here, for example, are five healthcare careers that pay well, require only two years of schooling or less and have great futures.

Nuclear medicine technologist

It can take as few as one or two years to complete a nuclear medicine technology program that leads to certification and an associate degree. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that employment of nuclear medicine technologists should increase 16% from 2008 to 2018 or faster than the average for all occupations. In May of 2008, nuclear medicine technologists had a median annual wage of $66,660.

Respiratory therapist

If you want to be a respiratory therapist you’ll need an associate degree. A few associate degree programs lead to jobs as entry-level respiratory therapist. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of respiratory therapists will grow by 21% from 2008 to 2018 or much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual income of wage-and-salary respiratory therapists was $52,200 as of May 2008. The middle 50% of respiratory therapists earned between $44,490 and $61,720. And the highest 10% of respiratory therapist earned more than $69,800.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

To be a Certified Nursing Assistant you will need to complete a training program that has been approved by your state. You will need to complete a minimum of 75 hours of training and pass your state’s certification examination before becoming certified. As a general rule, daytime CNA training takes about eight weeks. If you choose to take the program at night and on weekends, the program will probably take you 13-14 weeks to complete. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an increase of 28% in the demand for CNA’s by the year 2016. And, of course, CNA status can be the gateway to more advanced nursing or health-care fields. A CNA typically earns only about $11 to $12 an hour but keep in mind that you could earn certification in about four months or less and be working in less than six months. Despite what you might think, being a CNA is a lot more than just emptying bedpans. It’s an occupation where you’re helping people many different ways.

Surgical technologist

Surgical technologists help in surgical operations under the supervision of registered nurses, surgeons or other surgical personnel. They are also called scrubs and surgical or operating room technicians and are an important member of operating room teams. Surgical technologists receive training in formal programs as offered by community and junior colleges, universities, hospitals, vocational schools and the military. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for surgical techs will grow 25% between 2008 in 2018. In May of 2008, the median annual wages of wage-and-salary surgical technologists was $38,740.

Medical Records and Health Information Technician

The work of a medical records and health information technician involves assembling patients‘ health information including medical history, examination results, treatment methods, diagnostic tests and symptoms. Entry-level medical records and health information techs usually have an associate degree. Jobs for medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow by 20% or much faster than the average for all occupations. In May of 2008, the median annual wage of medical records and health information technicians was $30,610.