Medical industry is one of the rapidly growing industries best known for achieving tremendous breakthrough even in times of recession. It is best to explore the many career possibilities that the healthcare sector offers to best utilize your technical degree or work toward one upon careful skills analysis and your aptitude in the medical field. Many of these jobs do not require a high degree, a high school degree with appropriate certifications would be ideal for the technical jobs in medical field that are highlighted in this article. Attractive salaries are paid by reputed medical firms to the deserving candidates in Health IT jobs.
In terms of job satisfaction, you might have plenty. You get to work upon advanced equipment and precision systems producing accurate results and helping humanity in finding solutions or assisting with medical ailments.
Here are the 7 best technical jobs that offer a lucrative salary and a rewarding career in the medical industry.
1. Lab Technician
This is one of the most common healthcare it jobs having maximum demand in the healthcare sector. As a lab technician, you could perform multiple tasks such as operating various devices such as microscope, centrifuge and other devices. Performing the job at your own timings is possible as well because of no direct contact with the patients.
Job description (general requirements but not limited to):
- Conduct RNA extractions, PCR and sequencing of field samples
- Quality control testing to monitor and verify procedures.
- Sample preparation, calibration of instrumentation and troubleshooting.
Desired Qualifications (depends on the job requirement and organization):
- Completion of a laboratory technician program: Most employers require laboratory technicians to have completed a program that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Obtaining certification: After completing an accredited program, laboratory technicians may choose to obtain certification from a certifying organization such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the National Credentialing Agency (NCA).
- Continuing education: Laboratory technicians are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification
- Some states may have additional requirements, such as licensure.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good understanding of laboratory procedures and equipment
- Good math and computer skills.
- High school diploma or GED
- Good communication skills and ability to explain results to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
2. Radiologist
Offering ultimate care to those patients who have been suffering from severe health conditions such as cancer and tumor is one of the important tasks carried out by a radiologist. It is common for a radiologist to work on sophisticated scanning machines to assess the overall health condition of the concerned people.
Job description (general requirements but not limited to):
- Diagnose and treats diseases of human body, using x-ray and radioactive substances
- Perform routine radiology studies including the chest, abdomen, extremities, head and neck
Desired Qualifications (depends on the job requirement and organization):
- Pass the USMLE or COMLEX-USA examination
- Depending on the area of specialization, some radiologists may complete additional fellowship training to become sub-specialized.
- Completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree in a pre-med program or related field
- Completion of a 4-year medical degree (MD or DO) from an accredited medical school
- Completion of a diagnostic radiology residency program (typically 4 years)
- Obtaining certification: After completing a diagnostic radiology residency, radiologists must pass an exam to obtain certification from the American Board of Radiology (ABR)
- Continuing medical education: Radiologists are required to complete continuing medical education courses to maintain their certification
- Some states may have additional requirements, such as licensure.
3. Cardiovascular Technician
Popularly referred to as a CVT, the concerned professional is responsible for diagnosing people with heart disease. Several cardiovascular problems are identified during the initial stages itself because of which providing ultimate care is possible for the cardiologists based upon the available reports sent by a CVT.
Job description (general requirements but not limited to):
- Assists the Interventionalist and team with diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures
- Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of all equipment components, including patient monitoring devices.
Desired Qualifications (depends on the job requirement and organization):
- ACLS, Registered Cardiolvascular Tech or Registered Cardiolvascular Specialist.
- Associates/Bachelors in Science.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Completion of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program: Most employers require CVTs to have completed a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT)
- Obtaining certification: After completing an accredited program, CVTs must pass an exam to obtain certification from the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or another certifying organization like ARDMS, RCS, RCIS, etc.
- Continuing education: CVTs are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
- Some states may have additional requirements, such as licensure.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
4. Medical Technologist
Handling various medical equipments and sending important medical reports are the some of the crucial functions carried out by a medical technologist. Advanced health assessment of those patients who suffer from various cancers and diseases is best possible for the concerned professional. This is one of the professions that is in huge demand.
Job description (general requirements but not limited to):
- Evaluate basic customer biomedical equipment issues, implement appropriate repairs
- Perform planned maintenance (PM), safety, and environmental inspections, document and submit reports
- Completion of an accredited Medical Technology program: Most employers require MTs to have completed a program that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Obtaining certification: After completing an accredited program, MTs must pass an exam to obtain certification from the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or another certifying organization like ASCP, AAB, NCA, etc.
- Continuing education: MTs are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
- Some states may have additional requirements, such as licensure.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Desired Qualifications (depends on the job requirement and organization):
- Minimum High School Diploma/GED required.
- Associates degree in Electronics or Mechanical Principles.
5. MRI Technician
People with acute syndromes need to get their condition evolved under the careful guidance of experienced healthcare professionals. The consideration of MRI technology cannot be overlooked in this regard. It is because of the active role performed by an MRI technician in collecting the magnetic resonance impulses generated by the sophisticated devices through which best health standards are determined.
Job description (general requirements but not limited to):
- Operate x-ray, CT, and MRI generating and related equipment to provide patient care and assist in diagnoses
- Assist radiologists in exams and procedures to obtain a diagnosis or therapeutic procedure
Desired Qualifications (depends on the job requirement and organization):
- Graduate of approved school of Radiologic Technology
- Thorough knowledge of radiologic and MRI terminology, practices and procedures, physiology and human anatomy
- Completion of an accredited MRI program: Most employers require MRI technicians to have completed a program that is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Obtaining certification: After completing an accredited program, MRI technicians must pass an exam to obtain certification from the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) or another certifying organization.
- Continuing education: MRI technicians are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
- Some states may have additional requirements, such as licensure.
6. Ultrasound Technician
Physicians and surgeons greatly depend upon the ultrasound scanning along with X-ray in order to obtain more detailed inputs about a person’s health status. Ultrasound technicians are in great demand who associate the results produced by comprehensive medical devices with computers in order to generate an ultimate report about a person’s health.
Job description (general requirements but not limited to):
- Perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Assist physician with ultrasound guided biopsies and/or invasive procedures.
Desired Qualifications (depends on the job requirement and organization):
- Formal Ultrasound training program or equivalent training as specified by the ARDMS and must be registry certified. (US specific)
- Completion of an accredited ultrasound program: Most employers require ultrasound technicians to have completed a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
- Obtaining certification: After completing an accredited program, ultrasound technicians must pass an exam to obtain certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or another certifying organization.
- Continuing education: Ultrasound technicians are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
- Some states may have additional requirements, such as licensure.
7. Pharmacy Technician
Medical technicians who assist pharmacists in maintaining the inventory level and assessing regular medicine status are categorized as pharmacy technicians. The process of organizing medications in an exact manner so that immediate access could be had is a task cutover. However, the availability of pharmacy technicians to take care of such multiple job responsibilities has made people understand about pharmaceuticals and medicines.
Job description (general requirements but not limited to):
- Responsible for maintaining medication storage and security as per regulatory requirements
- Accurately fills orders in the pharmacy and processes medication returns and restocking to the pharmacy
Desired Qualifications (depends on the job requirement and organization):
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- National Certification (CPhT) required and must be an active Registered pharmacy technician, as per State requirements, in good standing with the appropriate State Board of Pharmacy
- Completion of a pharmacy technician program: Most employers require pharmacy technicians to have completed a program that is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
- Obtaining certification: After completing an accredited program, pharmacy technicians must pass an exam to obtain certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or another certifying organization.
- Continuing education: Pharmacy technicians are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
- Some states may have additional requirements, such as licensure.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good understanding of medications and their interactions.
Information Technology and Business Management go hand in hand to spearhead any form of industry, Similarly, the medical industry demands a fastidious amalgamation of IT and management skillsets to meet the growing demands of patients. Thus, healthcare management jobs and healthcare information management job opportunities have fast-tracked in recent times. These include Information Systems, Public affairs and relations, Stock and Material Management (Purchase and lifecycle of various medical assets), Nursing administration and management and other diversified areas which enable the medical and healthcare industry altogether.
Tip: Explore and Network
As you navigate to finding the right career advice and job opportunities in the healthcare industry, widen your network and conduct more informational interviews for deeper insights into what it really takes to be successful in the career and job you might find interesting. There are also other coveted healthcare office jobs that you should explore if looking for a career path in the medical industry, check them out here.