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Rewarding Medical Careers That Allow You to Work from Home

When you think of an active career in medicine, you may not think that you can do it from home. It’s true that many healthcare careers need a hands-on presence, but technology is advancing. The need for qualified workers is growing. Because of these changes, work from home opportunities have become more available. They are a great option for people with an interest in medicine.

Technology in the healthcare world is becoming more normal. Why? The baby boomer generation is getting older, and new advancements are taking over. More people are needed to take care of everyone. This means that new positions are opening up that didn’t exist years ago.

Nursing careers, for example, are on the rise. Between 2014 and 2024, the nursing industry is expected to grow by 16%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. For the first time in recent history, that 16% growth will include ‘virtual nurses.’

There is a growing demand for qualified healthcare workers. So, work from home opportunities are becoming more important than ever. Maybe you’ve been in the industry before. Or, you want to get involved again on your terms. Whatever the reason, there is likely an opportunity for you.

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Can You Have a Medical Career from Home?

There are many healthcare positions that can be fulfilled from the comfort of your own home. These positions can still take a lot of training. The right individuals are also needed. But, they are available to almost anyone. They are good jobs for people with tattoos and piercings, for example. There is an endless need for professional medical workers.

So, more hospitals and organizations are looking to the digital world. They are willing to find people who can work from home. Have you always had an interest in the medical field but don’t want a hands-on position? Consider the jobs listed in this guide.

We’ll focus on a few of the most popular work from home positions within the medical field. This will include the duties required for that position. It also includes what type of schooling or training may be required.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Healthcare Job?

There are many reasons people choose to begin a medical career at home. In most cases, you don’t have to have prior experience in the industry. But, some specific schooling or training may be required.

If you’re on the fence about whether it’s the right option for you, look at some of the benefits:

  • Flexibility – Most medical jobs you can do at home provide a lot of flexibility. It’s more than you’ll find working in a hospital or physician’s office. Of course, it varies depending on the job, it’s likely you’ll have more freedom. Maybe you want to spend more time with your family. Or, you want something part-time to pull you out of retirement. A fulfilling healthcare career at home can give you the hours you’re looking for.
  • Making a difference – Have you always been interested in the medical field? Working from home can still make an incredible difference in people’s lives. In some cases, you may even be able to provide a more personal approach. Your behind-the-scenes work will be imperative. If you work with patients, you can form relationships that can make a big difference.
  • More growth – Working at home in medicine gives you an opportunity for continual growth. You can continue certain types of training or schooling to move ahead in your career. Technology has made it easier than ever to advance in the healthcare field.
  • High demand – The healthcare industry continues to grow rapidly. More people need services than ever before. Even if you haven’t considered a career in medicine before, it’s a wise choice for job security and growth. Because it is in such high demand, the opportunities to work from home are more abundant than ever.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

As with any career change, there are pros and cons. Now you’ve seen some of the benefits of having a home-based healthcare job. But, are there any drawbacks to consider?

  • The biggest con of working from home in a medical career is that you may not get fast opportunities to grow. Home-based positions are becoming more popular. But, they still aren’t the ‘norm.’
  • Many employers still want someone on staff who can be physically present. This outlook will probably change over time. For now, though, it could be more difficult to find a steady at-home job and grow within it.
  • If you do decide to work from home, consider your own personality. It takes a special kind of person to be successful at a work from home position. Are you self-motivated and driven?

Do you want to help people and make a difference? Ask yourself why you want to work from home in the first place. That might give you a clearer idea of whether it’s right for you.

Virtual Nurse

One of the most popular work at home positions in the healthcare field is that of a virtual, or telehealth RN. Nurses are in such high demand, so telehealth nurses are becoming more important. They do everything an RN would do in the field but from home.

These nurses have direct contact with people through the phone. They can also interact through other digital avenues. They work with remote patient monitoring systems. This is to make sure that the patient is in good hands and taken care of at all times. They also work with families and other professionals in the field. This helps them to determine the best course of treatment and care for their patients.

Becoming a virtual nurse is a great option for someone who has already been an RN. It gives you new opportunities. At the same time, it allows you to try something different. Perhaps you’re a retired nurse who still wants to be able to work as needed and do it from home.

A Bachelor’s degree in nursing is required to become a telehealth RN. In most cases, you’ll need to complete a certification program. You may also need to complete a certification in other areas, depending on the specifics of what you plan to do. Do you have any experience in nursing? Becoming a telehealth RN is one of the most lucrative medical jobs from home.

Medical Review Specialist

If you don’t mind talking with customers, consider a job as a Medical Review Specialist. In this position, you have the task of being a customer service representative. You will be answering inquiries throughout the day.

It is important that you have a strong understanding of technology and data entry. That’s even more important than a lot of medical experience. You will be responsible for finding problems in certain systems. You need to know where they could improve, as well as performing coding reviews. Most employers need you to have an Associate’s degree to apply for this position.

There are two strengths needed to become a Medical Review Specialist. These include Computer skills and customer service skills. You’ll receive several inquiries each day.

It’s important to give each of them the effort they deserve. This career is often hired out by employers, making it one of the easiest to do from home. But, it does take some discipline when it comes to dealing with people over the phone on a regular basis.

medical careers where you can work at home

Medical Coder

A Medical Coder processes claims for billing offices. This position is also sometimes referred to as a Medical Billing Specialist. It’s not quite medical data entry. But, it does mean the individual needs to understand the coding process. You also need to have a general knowledge of certain medical terminology.

This job is perfect for someone with strong organization and superior numbers skills. They submit claims to billing offices. Claims are also submitted to insurance companies. They may have to work with nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. This is on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, they’ll need more information about a patient.

Medical coders rely on certain software programs and terms. These help to assign and diagnose specific codes for billing and insurance. Because they need to know these codes and how to use them correctly, some formal training is required. This either comes in the form of a special certification in medical coding. You can also go for an Associate’s degree.

As a work from home career, a coder can enjoy an average salary of $37,000. Extra certifications can be obtained that may result in more work or an increase in pay.

Medical Writer

Maybe numbers and math aren’t your strengths. But, if you’ve always been a skilled writer, you can use those abilities to be a Medical Writer at home. The job description of a medical writer can change every day, based on the type of document they are working on. Still, it’s one of the rare jobs that can be completely done from home with little interaction.

The type of medical writer you choose to be will depend on your linguistic skills as a writer. It will also depend on your general medical knowledge. You will usually start as a junior or intermediate healthcare writer. This requires you to put together documents on various medical topics.

More advanced writers usually work on regulatory documents. These are all documents within the medical field. For this, some medical knowledge is required. They have to understand the scientific elements of the topics they are covering. That can mean talking with doctors or researchers.

Medical writers have to be familiar with clinical research. They must be able to interpret and present data in a clear and concise fashion. Experience in a medical specialty isn’t always required. But, most employers will favor those who have some experience in healthcare.

Medical Transcriptionist

Transcription jobs are one of the most popular for people looking to work at home. Within that scope, medical transcription jobs are one of the most common. It is the job of a medical transcriptionist to transcribe medical records. These are typically dictated by doctors or nurses.

Records can include a lot of things. Some of the most common are patient history to clinical notes made by the physician. The transcriptionist turns these recordings into organized reports. In some cases, reviewing and editing may also fall into the job description.

Writing and organizational skills are the most important traits for this job. But, you should also have a basic understanding of medical terminology. This includes unique codes and medical jargon. Transcriptionists usually listen to dictation from a physician. Sometimes, the dictation will be from a nurse. So, they need to be able to understand the language.

Many community colleges offer training programs for transcriptionists. In most cases, you can complete a certification program in a year. Or, you can receive a two-year Associate’s degree. Certification is not required. But, many employers prefer it. It may give you a better chance of getting hired. It may also help to boost your salary. That can typically range from around $29,000-$35,000.

Counselor/Therapist

The general roles of counselors and therapists have started to change. This is greatly due to technology. It’s a change for the better in many ways. If you are already a practicing counselor or therapist, you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Many counselors choose to double their home as their place of business. This allows them to invite patients into their house for sessions. This helps you to create a flexible schedule. You can also determine how many clients you want to see regularly.

Additionally, you can take advantage of things like Skype, email, and phone calls. Some patients under your care may need immediate attention or guidance. These digital outlets make it easy to work with your patient at almost any time. It’s an advantage that therapists who work at home can have.

Not only does your flexibility increase, but so does your availability. That can be a huge draw for your patients and clients. Of course, you need to have the right training for the job. But, it’s a great non-administrative option. That can sometimes be rare in an at-home career.

Case Manager

In most instances, a case manager will have some prior nursing experience. Most candidates will have all the experience of a registered nurse. This is especially true if you want to do this job from home. Case managers are unique in that they work with both patients and physicians. They provide coordination of provided services.

It may also be the job of a case manager to ensure proper service is being provided to patients. This is done on a case-by-case basis. Think of a case manager exactly as the title suggests. You’re responsible for each patient’s case. It’s your job to make sure it runs smoothly. This can mean anything from dealing with their doctors or with their families.

It’s important for a case manager to have the knowledge of an RN. But, they also must be organized and authoritative. It’s also necessary to be compassionate. Strong communication skills are a plus. Most medical case manager careers need at least a Bachelor’s degree. Some employers may need you to have a Master’s degree. If you’ve ever been a registered nurse, you already have a head start. This is a great way to take your skills and advance them to a new career.

Dietitian/Nutritionist

A dietitian or nutritionist can also choose to keep their practice within their home. It’s a similar setup to an at-home therapist. You can work with your patients through digital means. You can also choose to open your home to see patients as needed.

Nutritionists typically work one-on-one with patients. Working from home gives you the time to form closer relationships with patients. You can learn what your patient needs. So, you can help them to reach their health goals.

Being a nutritionist requires at least a Bachelor’s degree. You might be better off earning a specific certification. Of course, it has to be from an accredited program. You also must be an expert in nutritional science. Do you have a passion for nutrition and keeping people healthy? If so, being a nutritionist at home will be an enjoyable experience for you.

Triage Nurse – Telephone

The core of a telephone triage nurse’s job is to answer questions for patients over the phone. But, there are several more responsibilities to consider with this job. A telephone triage nurse has to assess a patient’s condition correctly. They do this without actually seeing or examining them. They need to be able to answer individualized and specific questions.

At times, a telephone triage nurse will be the middleman between a patient and physician. For example, if a patient is trying to contact their regular doctor after hours, a triage nurse can take the call. They can then instruct the patient on the next steps to take, if necessary.

As you might expect, this is a job that doesn’t necessarily have ‘regular’ hours. While you can choose to do it on a part-time basis, you could receive phone calls any time of day (or night). If you have experience in nursing, this could be a perfect fit. You’ll continue to get to help patients on a regular basis.

work at home jobs in the medical profession

Radiologist

Believe it or not, you can be a radiologist from home. Radiologists need to know certain medical coding. Home-based radiologists work like overseers. They work with local radiology facilities. It’s their job to ensure everything is billed correctly and the right codes are used.

As you might expect, you have to be up to date with medical coding and billing terminology. This is a detail-oriented job. It takes a highly-organized person. A background in radiology is also required.

Home-based radiology work isn’t for everyone. But, if you have experience in the field it should be something to consider. It could be the change you’re looking for in your career.

Telephone Interviewer

Are your strengths are listening, talking, and typing? Consider being a telephone interviewer. This job allows you to perform interviews with people through the phone. The interviews are always about some healthcare topic. This could include things like insurance options. Or, needs and wants in a hospital facility.

Being a telephone worker gives you the opportunity to work nights and weekends. This helps to accommodate the standard work schedule of most people. You can conduct more interviews during these ‘off’ hours. Great communicative skills are required. To be a success in this position, you should also be able to type at least 40 words per minute. You don’t want to miss out on anything someone might be telling you during your interview.

Is It Possible to Have a Successful Medical Career from Home?

As you can see, there are many options within the healthcare field that you can do from home. What may be more surprising is that they aren’t all ‘administrative work.’ If you have prior experience, it can be helpful. You can continue to use your medical knowledge to make a difference and help people. They are sometimes good jobs for people who don’t want to work with customers.

Even with no prior medical knowledge, you can have a rewarding medical career from home. Like any other job, most of these positions take schooling or training. But, the benefits of working from home are often well worth it.

As the healthcare industry continues to grow, so does its need for quality workers. The landscape of employment in the industry is changing. Employers are becoming more open to the idea of home-based employees. It helps to fill a growing need in healthcare. It may be a bit harder to get your foot in the door at first. But, once you’ve secured a work from home position, there is a lot of growth potential.

Have you ever considered a career in healthcare, but were held back by the physicality or stressful nature of it? One of the jobs listed in this guide could be perfect for you. You can help people and keep the healthcare system running smoothly – all from your own home.

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