Fast Healthcare Programs That Can Launch Your Career

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healthcare-programs

Have you recently graduated from high school and aren’t sure what’s next? Or have you been working in unrewarding jobs? If you’ve been dreaming about a career where you can help people, work in a professional setting, and earn consistent wages, it’s time to consider a healthcare career! You might be thinking, “I can’t go to school for years and years for a healthcare career.”

Read on to learn more about healthcare programs and why you don’t have to spend tons of time and money to work in healthcare!

Why Fast-Track Healthcare Programs Are Worth Considering

Many healthcare certificate programs are considered fast-track because they don’t require years of school. Many of us can’t spend years pursuing an advanced degree for various reasons: financial constraints, other responsibilities like caring for family members, or simply not being interested in lengthy, complex degree programs.

But we also don’t want to work in jobs that lead nowhere, pay only minimum wage, receive little respect or require working outdoors in all kinds of weather. Working in healthcare offers many benefits over other industries.

Here’s what fast-track healthcare programs can offer:

  • Short completion time: Many healthcare programs only take 6 to 12 months to complete.
  • Lower costs: You’re not paying tuition for years.
  • Start earning sooner: You can start making money in just months instead of years.
  • Professional setting: You’ll work with highly trained professionals in medical settings.
  • Strong demand and job security: Healthcare jobs typically see steady growth as medical facilities always need trained staff.
  • Steppingstone to more advanced careers: Many people start out in a fast-track healthcare job to gain experience, then move into higher paying, more advanced jobs with more training.

Let’s explore five fast-track healthcare programs that can lead to a rewarding career:

1. Medical Assistant

Medical assistants (MAs) provide basic healthcare in a wide variety of settings: doctors’ offices, clinics, urgent care centers, and perhaps even hospitals.

MAs typically perform tasks like:

  • Taking vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, weight, height, oxygen saturation, pulse)
  • Giving vaccines or other basic injections like allergy shots
  • Drawing blood
  • Caring for minor wounds
  • Collecting throat and nasal samples
  • Documenting patients’ medical histories and updating their charts
  • Cleaning and sanitizing rooms and equipment

MAs often have clerical duties too, such as working with insurance companies, collecting payments, updating patient records, answering phones, and scheduling appointments.

  • Job Outlook: The job outlook for MAs is strong nationwide! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, MA jobs are expected to grow about 12% (much faster than average) over the next 8 years. In Michigan, MAs typically earn between $35,000 and $48,330 per year ($16.83 to $23.23 per hour). (All the salary ranges listed in this article are not guaranteed salaries; they are averages.) How much you may earn as a Medical Assistant can depend on a variety of factors including experience, whether or not you are certified, where you work, the area where you work, etc.
  • Training: Most MA programs take about a year to complete. You can learn medical terms and skills in an online or a classroom setting and then get hands-on clinical experience working with real patients.

2. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) also provide basic medical care similar to an MA, but they can provide more advanced care. You’ll work under the supervision of RNs (registered nurses) and doctors.

LPNs typically have more responsibility than MAs around giving medication, such as calculating dosages and administering more advanced medicine. LPNs can also:

  • Start IVs and administer IV fluids
  • Insert and manage catheters
  • Insert and manage feeding tubes
  • Provide deep wound care

LPNs typically don’t do much clerical work; their focus is primarily on patient care.

  • Job Outlook: The nationwide job outlook for LPNs is expected to grow at about 3% from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Michigan, LPN annual salaries range from $56,160 to $77,780 ($27.00 to $37.39 per hour). Again, keep in mind this is the average of all LPNs and salaries will vary based on a number of factors including experience, where you work, your responsibilities, etc.
  • Training: Licensed practical nurse programs typically take about one year to complete. Once you graduate from a program, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam., you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam.

3. Dental Assistant

If being an MA or an LPN doesn’t seem like a fit, but you’re still interested in a healthcare role that works with patients, consider becoming a dental assistant! Dental assistants play an invaluable role in a dentist’s office. Dental assistants typically work regular weekday hours, unlike many MAs and LPNs who might need to work nights and weekends depending on where they work.

  • Dental assistants do things like:
  • Take X-rays and images
  • Assist the dentist during procedures (passing instruments and using suction hoses)
  • Sterilize and organize dental tools
  • Record patients’ medical histories and update charts

Dental assistants often have clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, taking payments, and working with insurance companies.

4. Sterile Processing Technician

If you’re interested in a healthcare job but would prefer not to work directly with patients, consider a career as a sterile processing technician! Hospitals and healthcare facilities rely on sterile processing techs to keep patients safe, so they play a vital role.

As a sterile processing technician (also known as a central processing tech), you’ll have duties such as:

  • Clean and sterilize instruments
  • Maintain autoclaves
  • Keep accurate records of equipment maintenance
  • Stock medical supplies
  • Organize instrument trays

Hospitals are the most common places where sterile processing technicians work. You could also work in a surgery center or dental office. Hospitals need technicians 24 hours a day, so you can expect to work some night and weekend shifts.

5. Surgical Technologist

A career as a surgical technologist could be a great fit if you want to work in healthcare but with less patient interaction. Surgical technologists work alongside surgeons in a supporting role instead of providing direct medical care to a patient.

Typical surgical technologist duties include:

  • Prepare an operating room for surgery (place instruments and supplies on trays)
  • Pass instruments to surgeons and keep track of tools used during procedures
  • Help collect and label tissue or fluid samples
  • Clean and dispose of medical supplies after surgery

Surgical techs mostly work in hospitals and surgery centers. Most scheduled surgeries are during normal weekday hours, but emergency surgeries can happen anytime. Your schedule will largely depend on your work setting.

How to Choose the Right Healthcare Program for You

With many options, it can be challenging to figure out which healthcare program is the best fit for you. Here are a few things to consider that will help you decide:

  • How long can I be in school before I need to start working?
  • Am I OK doing some clerical work or do I only want to provide medical care?
  • Do I want to spend most of my time providing care directly to patients or working with medical equipment?
  • Do I want to work only weekdays, or am I OK working some nights and weekends?
  • How much money do I need to earn?

Your answers will help direct you to the program that fits your lifestyle and interests!

Your Healthcare Career Can Start Sooner Than You Think

Unlike typical 2- and 4-year colleges where you need to apply months in advance (and wait months for an answer), you can enroll in a healthcare program at many career colleges within weeks. Colleges like Dorsey College offer rolling admissions, meaning they review applications year-round. Healthcare programs start throughout the year, not just in the fall and spring.

Why not get started on your healthcare career today? Learn more about Dorsey College’s programs here!

 

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Dorsey College has determined that its Practical Nurse program curriculum is sufficient to fulfill educational requirements for licensure in the State of Michigan only. No educational determinations have been made for any other state, district, or US territory in regards to nursing licensure requirements.