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Medical Jobs Where No High School Diploma is Needed

When you think of the healthcare industry, you probably also think of years of training. Some careers do take several years and a degree. But, there are many healthcare jobs for people with no high school diploma or GED. In fact, you can train for a new career in less than a year.

If you want a job in the medical field with no experience, you just have to know where to look. While you may not be a doctor or nurse, you can still help people. Many medical jobs that don’t need a diploma are behind the scenes. You can always play an important role in treating patients and help things to run smoothly.

Whether you are looking for an entry-level job, or want something in the healthcare field while you work toward your GED, you can find something in the world of medicine. It’s a great jumping off point if you want a career in healthcare. Simply working in the field can help you to get the experience you need.

Now is one of the best times to look for a career in healthcare. It is one of the most booming job industries in the world. As the baby boomer generation gets older, more professionals are needed to help treat them. Advancements in technology have also created more healthcare jobs than ever. Even with no experience, now is the time to look for a job in this rapidly expanding field.

Jobs for Adults with No High School Diploma or GED

This guide will focus on healthcare jobs for adults with no high school diploma. Many are overlooked medical jobs or ones that you might not immediately consider. Experience can be helpful in the medical field. But, it isn’t always required. The jobs listed here are available to almost anyone. Some may offer on the job training, but you won’t have to spend years going to school before getting started.

If you’re considering a career in healthcare, but don’t have any experience, these jobs could be perfect for you. With no high school diploma required, you don’t have to settle for something underneath your skill level. Not only are these jobs in high demand, but they are some of the highest-paying jobs that don’t need a degree.

Good Reasons to Consider a Career in Healthcare

Even if you don’t have a diploma, it shouldn’t stop you from trying a career in healthcare. Why? Not only is it a fast-growing industry, but there are many other benefits. First, because it’s growing so quickly, it’s competitive. There are so many open positions that employers are willing to pay more money for quality employees. The healthcare industry offers a lucrative salary for many different positions.

Because it’s growing so rapidly, you can also feel confident in your job security. Even without schooling, many facilities are willing to provide training on the job. Or, if you take the time to get more training, you can look forward to a great entry-level position that can last for years.

Perhaps you don’t like working with money. There are so many medical jobs where you’ll never have to go near a cash register.

Finally, the healthcare industry can provide a lot of growth. You may start out in an entry-level position, but it doesn’t mean you need to stay there. You can work while going to school, or train on the job for a higher position. Even entry careers with no experience can lead to higher paying jobs later on.

As a bonus, the medical field is an exciting industry to get into. If you like working with different types of people and have a passion for helping, it could be the perfect industry for you. Don’t let a lack of a GED stop you from getting into this lasting field.

Home Health Aide

Most people get into the healthcare field because they want to be able to help people. Thankfully, it doesn’t take years of schooling to be able to do that. One of the most rewarding healthcare jobs that don’t take experience is a home health aide.

The job of a home health aide is to assist elderly or disabled patients. This can be done in that patient’s home, or in a facility. It is your responsibility to help these patients with their everyday activities. This includes things like doing laundry, helping with meals, and even assisting with other household chores. With some training, you can also support your patients and their families about the importance of proper nutrition for their specific health needs.

One of the best parts of this particular career is that you get to know your patients pretty well. Whether you spend time in their home or a facility, you’ll have a set number of patients you see each day. Unlike working in a hospital or clinic, these patients won’t change throughout the day.

If you don’t have any experience in this type of field, you may have to work under a supervisor. Even then, though, you’ll spend most of your time working alone with your patient. A supervisor may make occasional visits to check in on your progress and performance. Home health aides can make over $20,000 each year, depending on whether they work for a facility or in someone’s home.

Phlebotomist

You can attend a two-year school to become a phlebotomist. Some phlebotomists earn an Associate’s Degree from the top schools. But, it isn’t always necessary. Phlebotomy is one of the hottest careers in the medical field right now. Because of technology, more illnesses and conditions can be diagnosed by bloodwork than ever before.

Since more blood needs to be drawn, there must be more qualified people to do it. Hospitals, clinics, and more are always looking for quality phlebotomists to join the team. If you don’t want to attend school to become one, you can take a training program. There are phlebotomy training courses all over the country. You can also take courses online from the comfort of your home. Some states require phlebotomy certification.

The training to become a phlebotomist can take about eight months. It may take longer if you want to become certified. Certification isn’t necessary for all states, but it may help you get hired above someone else, especially if you don’t have your diploma or GED.

Phlebotomists can find jobs in a variety of places. Hospitals usually have the biggest need. But, you can also find employment at a clinic or private practice. Organizations like the Red Cross also use phlebotomists on a freelance basis for blood draws and remote blood drives.

Nursing Assistant

A nursing assistant is sometimes also called a patient care attendant. But, it’s the same job, no matter what the name. In this career, you’re responsible for taking care of patients underneath the supervision of the nursing staff. While you won’t administer any medications or give medical advice, the care of the patient is your top priority.

A nursing assistant helps the staff in almost any way possible. They take patients to and from exam rooms. They also keep rooms clean and make sure all the equipment is ready for exams and surgery. Because they work with the nursing staff, they can make reports to the staff on the patient’s status. That includes both physical and mental. Nursing assistants can be found in hospitals. But, they are more common in nursing facilities for the elderly.

This particular position is a great way to work directly with people and make sure they have the care they need. You’ll also be working directly with the medical staff, getting the best of both worlds. Most patient care attendants make over $25,000 each year depending on their place of employment.

Medical Secretary

If office work is more your speed, consider being a medical secretary. You’ll still be able to help people from an administrative point of view. A medical secretary makes sure a medical office runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Your responsibilities in this job can vary depending on what your place of employment needs.

For the most part, someone in this job is meant to schedule appointments and keep the office up to speed. Everything from ordering supplies to using new technology is essential. You may also be responsible for training new staff. Helping out physicians with reporting and scheduling surgeries is also part of the job. You’ll interact with patients on a regular basis to schedule their appointments but won’t have to get involved in the ‘medical’ side of things.

A medical secretary should have strong organizational skills. They should also enjoy working with different types of people. This is a job for someone who doesn’t mind the routine pace of a daily job. Many medical jobs are fast-paced and can be incredibly different every day. This particular career has more consistency to it.

Jobs suitable for people without a diploma from high school

Physical Therapy Aide

If you want to look into a specialized healthcare career, you might consider being an aide for a physical therapist. When you work under a physical therapist, you also work directly with patients. You’ll be able to help patients regain their mobility through different exercises and routines.

Whether people have suffered an injury or are losing mobility with age, an aide can help the physical therapist to create a plan for each patient. This is a job that isn’t always as fast-paced as a general physician’s aide. Physical therapists usually work in private practices, though they can work in a hospital, too.

Depending on the physical therapist you work for, a high school diploma may be required. But, because of the high demand, some private practice physical therapists will offer on-the-job training instead. This is a great way to gain experience quickly. Plus, you’ll learn the ins and outs of how to help people from a licensed physical therapist. If you’re willing to get on-the-job training, you can also expect more job security, since you’ll know how to work perfectly for that specific practice.

In most cases, this is a job that provides hourly pay. On average, though, a physical therapy aide can make about $24,000 per year.

Surgical Tech

If you want to play a more hands-on role in the medical field, consider being a surgical technician. Surgical techs work in busy hospitals, but they don’t have to have the schooling required to be a doctor, nurse, etc.

A surgical technician is an incredibly important job. They are responsible for getting operating rooms ready. They have to make sure the rooms are sterile and prepared for the doctors and patients. Additionally, they must make sure the surgeon has all the tools they’ll need for the operation.

During the operation itself, surgical techs can assist surgeons by handing them the tools they need and keeping everything clean and orderly.

For the impact of this job, little training is required. You don’t have to go to a four-year college or have a degree to do it. You do have to complete an accredited training program. This usually takes between 9-15 months to complete. A certification exam is also required to get hired by a hospital.

Even without years of medical school, you can find yourself in the middle of an operating room as a surgical tech. Plus, you’ll have a lucrative salary on top of it. Most surgical techs make around $42,000 each year.

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants help to support both dentists and dental hygienists. Most of their responsibilities are administrative. They keep records of patients, and schedule appointments. They can even schedule x-rays and dental surgeries.

The official duties of a dental assistant may vary depending on what a particular practice needs. They may also change on a daily basis, given whatever the dentist or hygienists need. If you’re interested in a specialized medical career like dentistry, this is a great way to get involved.

Before you decide to become a dental assistant, look into your state’s requirements. Some states do need you to have professional certification. This comes from completing an accredited training program. Other states, though, don’t require any formal training. Many places can offer on-the-job training, so you know the specifics of what that dental practice wants. You may be able to get a higher salary if you do decide to go through training and become certified.

Finding a job without any qualifications

Massage Therapist

One of the great things about becoming a massage therapist is that you can work from home or an office space. Many massage therapists work for themselves, and not for another facility or medical institution.

As a massage therapist, your duties include treating patients with pain and stress. This is done through a variety of different massage techniques. Massage therapists also help people overcome pain from injuries.

If you can’t find a job in a hospital and don’t have the client base to be your own boss yet, you’re in luck. Massage therapists can find work in many different locations.

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Some options include:

  • Gym or fitness center
  • Therapist office
  • Wellness spa

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Most states need you to have a certification/license in to become a massage therapist. To do this, you’ll need to complete a training program that combines both study and actual hands-on experience. If the idea of eventually starting your own business appeals to you, massage therapy can help. You may have to work for someone else for a while, but eventually, you can branch off on your own and see as many patients as you’d like.

Psychiatric Aide

A psychiatric aide typically works in a hospital or mental health facility. They are responsible for the care of mentally and physically ill patients. This type of care can include everything from helping those patients bathe, to helping them eat. Patients who are more mentally stable may be able to take part in educational activities, too.

A passion for mental health and a lot of compassion is required for this job. Psychiatric aides also do a lot of observing. It’s their job to observe and record any changes or improvement in the general mental and physical health of the patients they are watching. Whatever a patient may need to be more comfortable, a psychiatric aide can provide it.

Is it Possible to Have a Career in Healthcare with No High School Diploma?

As you can see by the jobs in this guide, It’s possible to have a career in the medical industry without a GED or diploma. It’s important to keep in mind that employers are always looking for different things. They may have different requirements. Sometimes, employers’ hands are tied by state requirements, too.

For the most part, though, you shouldn’t have a problem applying for any of these medical jobs, without a diploma. You may have to take some more training for some of them. But, you can do it on your own or as you gain hands-on experience from the job.

The healthcare industry continues to grow at a rapid rate. Hospitals, clinics, and private practices are all looking for exceptional individuals to join their teams. Even without a diploma, you can be an asset to these medical facilities.

If you’ve always wanted a career in healthcare but have been worried it’s impossible without a GED, check out one of these career options. They are great places to start, either for a lifelong career or as a springboard for other jobs in the healthcare field.