Career Opportunities
We have many opportunities, including a number of entry-level jobs for people interested in beginning a career in health care. Any one of these jobs might be of interest to you.
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Educational Requirements
Different health careers require varying levels of education. Some jobs require a high school education; others call for additional education or training.
- High school education: Patient Unit Secretary, Transport Assistant, Housekeeper, Dietary Host/Hostess, Data Control Clerk, Medical File Clerk, Receptionist, Secretary.
- Diploma or certificate: Dental Assistant, Phlebotomist, Surgical Technician.
- Two years of college education: Radiology Technician, Medical Records Coder, Dental Hygienist, Massage Therapist.
- Four-plus years of college education: Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Biomedical Engineer.
Applicants for some jobs do not need a high school diploma, but there may be other requirements.
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Job Descriptions
Health care workers are in great demand.
- Building Services Workers provide general heavy and light cleaning, and housekeeping services. Workers must be able to understand and carry out spoken instructions.
- Food Service Workers set up, serve, and clean food service areas. They prepare food orders and maintain safety and sanitation standards. Workers must be able to read, write, and speak English and follow written instructions.
- Medical File Clerks perform entry-level duties such as sorting, filing, and transporting medical records and other documents. A high school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- Patient Care Technicians perform procedures, under nursing supervision, that contribute to the well-being of patients. A high school diploma or GED, and two years' experience as a nursing assistant, home health aide, EMT or member of the Medic/Corps, or completion of two clinical semesters in nursing school, are required.
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- Patient Unit Secretaries provide clerical, receptionist and customer relations services on patient care units. High school diploma or GED, good writing and communications skills, and one year of clerical experience or an equivalent combination are required.
- Receptionists receive visitors, patients, and staff members, and answer phones, relaying information and directions to others. They also perform clerical duties such as sorting, typing, filing and posting information to records. A high school diploma or GED or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- Transport Assistants escort and transport patients, deliver specimens and equipment, manage the supply transport system, and clean equipment as directed. Workers must be able to read, write, and speak English.
- Pharmacy Technicians are support workers in pharmacies. They attend community colleges, vocational-technical schools, or colleges where they earn advanced degrees. In addition, most pharmacies have "training programs" to teach job responsibilities.
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- Radiology Technicians assist doctors in the use of radiation for diagnostic imaging (X-rays). There are programs for radiology at the certificate, associate and bachelor's degree levels.
- Respiratory Therapists help treat and care for patients with respiratory (breathing) problems. They help patients perform breathing treatments or exercises ordered by doctors and assist with managing the breathing machines. Respiratory therapists must complete a two-year associate degree program or a four-year bachelor's degree program.
- Childlife Specialists work with children and their families to promote normal living patterns and to minimize psychological trauma. Childlife specialists provide children with opportunities for gaining a sense of mastery, for play, learning, self-expression, and peer and family involvement. A childlife specialist must have at minimum a bachelor's degree.
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Hear about a wide range of career options
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