How To Get Into Healthcare Without a Degree

The healthcare profession can offer many rewards. Professionals enjoy providing direct patient care to the ill and injured — or working behind the scenes to manage important administrative tasks.

You might be interested in working in healthcare but worry that not having a degree could hurt your chances of finding a position. Fortunately, earning a degree is not always required to become a healthcare professional. Whether you want to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or pharmacy technician, you can start a career with the right experience, credentials, and resume.

Below, we'll examine how you can get into healthcare without a degree. We'll also discuss some of the top roles available to non-degree holders.

Can You Get Into Healthcare Without a Degree?

Yes, you can get into the healthcare field without a degree. Many healthcare specialist jobs only require a training or certificate. The following roles only need a postsecondary nondegree award to start.

• Emergency medical technicians (EMTs): provide emergency medical care by assessing injuries and illnesses and transporting patients to healthcare facilities.
• Massage therapists: manipulate patients' joints and soft tissues by applying pressure
• Dental assistants: take x-rays, manage patient's medical records, and schedule appointments
• Medical transcriptionists: use electronic devices to convert the voice recordings of physicians and other medical professionals into reports
• Surgical technologists: prepare operating rooms, sterilize and arrange medical equipment, and assist doctors with surgical operations

Some other roles that require you to earn a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award include the patient care technician (PCT) and home health aide.

What Healthcare Job Pays the Most Without a Degree?

When entering the medical field, you want to feel great about your impact on patients. However, earnings also matter.

As with all fields, healthcare pays workers varying salaries. For example, support roles, like occupational therapy and physical therapist assistants, can earn less than health practitioners like (e.g., physicians and surgeons).

Among healthcare jobs for non-degree holders, surgical technologists, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and massage therapists are sometimes among the highest paid. But keep in mind that factors like a person's professional experience and location can impact the amount they earn.

As you can see, there are many opportunities to work in healthcare without a degree. Next, we'll review the steps you can take to secure a healthcare job.

Steps To Getting a Healthcare Job Without a Degree

Beginning a career in healthcare without a college degree requires time and effort; however, the result could be a great job. Consider these steps to get started.

1. Acquire Practical Experience

Many healthcare roles require some practical experience. If you're enrolled in a state-approved education program, you might need supervised experience in a medical facility to graduate. If you're not in a program, consider pursuing an entry-level role like a home health aide that requires a high school diploma and no experience to get started.

2. Pursue Healthcare Certifications

Some roles require workers to secure certification like the certified nursing assistant (CNA). Not all positions require certification; however, depending on your role, it might benefit your career.

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is designed for medical assistants seeking certification through the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The CMA (AAMA) exam consists of 200 questions testing students' knowledge of medical terminology, lab techniques, human anatomy, first aid, and more.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential to test students' knowledge of medical safety and patient care in pharmacy settings. The exam features 90 computer-based questions and a testing period of approximately two hours.

National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certification

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is the largest allied health certification agency in the U.S. It offers numerous healthcare credentials. Some include:

• Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
• Patient Care Technician (CPCT/A)
• Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
• Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

3. Obtain Necessary Licenses

The position you pursue will determine whether you need a license. For instance, LPNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed professionals.

Licensure or certification is a requirement in all states for physical therapist assistants. Students typically must graduate from a physical therapist assistant program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants.

4. Network With Healthcare Professionals

Networking with healthcare professionals can give you important insight into the field, including which certifications to get and how to find great jobs. Some places to meet medical professionals include online forums, social media sites, medical conferences, professional meetups, and alumni networks.

5. Build a Strong Resume

A strong resume summarizes all the hard work you've put into starting your healthcare career. Here are some details to include:

• contact information
• professional summary
• experience in the field (with summaries and dates)
• hard and soft skills
• educational background
• certifications and licenses

These steps can help you snag a great career in healthcare. Now, let's look at healthcare career paths for non-degree holders.

Alternative Healthcare Career Paths for Non-Degree Holders

Healthcare is a thriving field with plenty of great job opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare occupations are expected to grow much faster than average from 2022 to 2032 with about 1.8 million openings projected annually. Check out some top roles for non-degree holders.

Medical Assistant

A medical assistant is a healthcare worker who assists registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and physicians with patient care and administrative tasks. Duties might include:

• scheduling appointments
• taking patients' vital signs
• collecting patient information for medical records
• assisting with patient exams

Medical assistants typically need a high school diploma and postsecondary education like a certificate or associate degree. Programs teach pharmacology, medical terminology, and anatomy. To gain experience, medical assistants might participate in an internship.

Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician assists pharmacists with dispensing prescription medication and collecting information to fill prescriptions. Other responsibilities include:

• packing and labeling prescriptions
• alerting pharmacists to medication and supply shortages
• managing medical billing duties
• answering customer calls

Pharmacy technicians typically work in retail pharmacies and healthcare settings like hospitals. A high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) and on-the-job training are common requirements for employment. Technicians might also need to complete a postsecondary program.

Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists draw blood for research, donations, or tests. This medical job requires the following:

• taking blood samples from patients or blood donors
• helping relax patients who are nervous about having blood drawn
• confirming donors' and patients' identities
• labeling blood samples for testing

Phlebotomists typically complete a postsecondary phlebotomy certificate program; however, some can enter the field with a high school diploma and job training program. Some employers might require a professional certification.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) gives patients basic care while assisting with daily activities. They also take on the following tasks:

• bathing patients
• assisting patients with dressing and using the toilet
• transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs
• measuring vital signs

Nursing assistants sometimes must finish a state-approved education program that includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical work. Licensure or certification might also be required depending on the state.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) helps care for patients who are ill, injured, or convalescent. They also work with patients with disabilities. Duties include:

• checking vital signs to monitor patients' health
• providing basic comfort and care like changing bandages
• sharing care details with patients
• reporting patients' statuses to registered nurses and physicians

Becoming an LPN starts with completing a state-approved education program. LPNs must also earn a license.