Careers in the Allopathic Medical & Alternative Health Fields

Although a bachelor's and advanced degrees are unarguably essential and valuable, there are many reasons to seek a lesser degree, diploma or certificate within the allopathic medical and alternative health fields.

Just a few examples: A quick course after high school can give new graduates the credentials needed to earn a better-than-minimum wage while working through college, stay at home and/or single moms can quickly train to be able to work from home, or gain skills to work part-time outside the home while children are in school.

Or, for those considering an entire career change, the training received and experience received in these following programs can be a gateway and springboard into a further, more advanced career into the medical and health field.

Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy school is very short in duration, and very affordable. In many cases, classes are held just once a week lasting only a few months, and the cost is only a couple or few hundred dollars. Although the pay scale for phlebotomists is not grand, a starting wage of $8.00-$12.00 per hour sure beats shelving books at the library or flipping burgers at Arby's for half that. Working within a professional clinical setting may also be more satisfying and resume-happy for those interested in future medical endeavours. In many areas, there may even be courses available for current high school students.

Certified Nursing Assistant

A CNA program is also very inexpensive and non-time consuming; programs are around 80 hours and cost about $400. There are many independent training centers and schools, and some local Red Cross chapters offer training programs for even lower fees. A CNA is ideal for those interested in working with directly with geriatric patients or within the hospice environment. CNA positions usually start above minimum wage.

Medical billing and coding