Healthcare Overview
The healthcare and wellness industries continue to be top of mind for people all over the world and the need for capable, well-trained individuals is always in urgent demand. Whether your interest is in prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation or eradicating diseases, there are many types of degrees to pursue.
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Dental Assistant
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Medical Assistant
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Pharmacy Technician
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Medical Records
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Healthcare Administration
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Licensed Practical Nursing
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Registered Nursing
Medical Assistant Overview

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and most healthcare professionals. Their responsibilities may differ depending on the type or specialty of the healthcare office they’re working in. Medical assistants are not to be confused with physician assistants, who are licensed and trained to do medical procedures with supervision from a physician.
Medical Assistant Role & Responsibility
Medical Assistant Certificate in RMA, CPT, NCICS and CET

Medical assistants are an integral part of an efficient and successful doctor’s office. Their role begins at the front desk where they greet patients, schedule appointments and file medical records in order to provide a positive first and lasting impression on behalf of the medical facility. Medical assistants offer a steady source of support for the entire staff by capturing medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations and assisting the doctors as needed.
Role & Responsibility
- Schedule appointments
- Maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes
- Take and record vital signs and medical histories
- Prepare patients for examination with tasks such as drawing blood
- Administer medications as directed by the physician
| 2020 Median Pay | $35,850 per year | $17.23 per hour | |
| Work Experience in Related Occupation | None | |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 710,200 | |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 18% | |
| Employment Change 2020-30 | 104,400 |
How to become a Medical Assistant
It takes nine months to two years for individuals to complete a program to become a medical assistant. First, one must graduate from high school and then acquire medical assistant training before obtaining certifications. Medical Assistants can receive a certificate in RMA (registered medical assistant), CPT® (Current Procedural Terminology code set to bill outpatient & office procedures), NCICS (National Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist) and CMA (Certified Medical Assistant).
Medical Records and Health Information Specialists

If you are interested in the medical field but leaning towards the administrative side, Medical Coding and Billing may be right for you. A medical billing and coding specialist is a key partner for healthcare professionals to maintain records and keep track of their patients’ needs and healthcare coverage. Medical coders and billers record and share meticulous details about each patient’s diagnosis and procedure with insurance companies, medical offices and patients.
Role & Responsibility
- Organize, manage, and code health information data
| 2020 Median Pay | $45,240 per year | $21.75 per hour | |
| Work Experience in Related Occupation | None | |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 416,400 | |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 9% | |
| Employment Change 2020-30 | 37,100 |
How to become a Medical Assistant
Medical records and health information specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some qualify with a high school diploma. Others need an associate’s or higher degree. Certification is often required.
Healthcare Administration Bachelor of Science

A Healthcare Administrator is responsible for developing, planning and managing healthcare programs within a hospital, nursing home, medical facility or a community service organization. Areas of study range from budgeting and facilitating meetings to hiring, training and overseeing staff. A Healthcare Administrator must keep up with trends, reforms and issues affecting the health and welfare of their community and strategize best ways to provide excellence in healthcare that will keep people safe and healthy.
Role & Responsibility
- Create departmental goals and objectives
- Ensure their facility is up to date on and compliant with laws and regulations
- Improve efficiency and quality in delivering healthcare services
- Hire, train, and oversee staff members
- Handle the finances and medical billing
- Plan and distribute work schedules
- Prepare and oversee budgets to ensure staff do not overspend
- Attend investor meetings or on governing boards
- Organize and track records of the facility’s activity such as the number of inpatient beds used
- Keep members of the medical staff and department heads informed with news and updates
| 2020 Median Pay | $104,280 per year | $50.00 per hour | |
| Work Experience in Related Occupation | Less than 5 years | |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 720,900 | |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 32% (Much faster than average) | |
| Employment Change 2020-30 | 139,600 |
How to become a Medical Assistant
Most Healthcare Administrators have a bachelor’s degree but master’s degrees are also common. Prospective managers typically have some work experience in an administrative or a clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility.
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The LPN to B.S.N. curriculum prepares students with a strong foundation for graduate study and employment in advanced nursing. Students will experience a professional education and liberal arts while developing a caring and meticulous approach to healthcare. Students receive an understanding of how to deliver basic nursing care and manage administrative tasks. Graduates can secure employment in doctors’ offices, clinics, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers as well as employment in home healthcare settings.
Role & Responsibility
- Monitor patients’ health—for example, by checking their blood pressure
- Administer basic patient care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters
- Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress
- Discuss the care they are providing with patients and listen to their concerns
- Report patients’ status and concerns to registered nurses and doctors
- Keep records on patients’ health
| 2020 Median Pay | $48,820 per year | $23.47 per hour | |
| Work Experience in Related Occupation | None | |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 688,100 | |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 9% | |
| Employment Change 2020-30 | 63,800 |
How to become a Medical Assistant
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year to complete. They must be licensed.
Registered Nursing (RN) Degree

Registered nurses’ duties and titles can vary depending on where they work and the patients who they help. An oncology nurse, for example, works with cancer patients while a geriatric nurse works with elderly patients. Registered nurses can combine one or more areas of practice. An example would be a pediatric oncology nurse who works with children and teens who have cancer.
Role & Responsibility
- Assess patients’ conditions
- Record patients’ medical histories and symptoms
- Observe patients and record the observations
- Administer patients’ medicines and treatments
- Set up plans for patients’ care or contribute information to existing plans
- Consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Operate and monitor medical equipment
- Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results
- Teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries
- Explain what to do at home after treatment
| 2020 Median Pay | $75,330 per year| $36.22 per hour | |
| Work Experience in Related Occupation | None | |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 |
3,080,100 |
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| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 9% | |
| Employment Change 2020-30 |
276,800 |
How to become a Medical Assistant
Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technicians contribute to the wellness of individuals and are a major team player in the healthcare industry. Before you can begin your career, you must first learn medical and pharmaceutical terminology as well as pharmaceutical calculations to enhance a deeper understanding of what is needed to execute physician orders and prescriptions. Other areas of study will include patient care, charges and reimbursement and the ethics of pharmacy practice so that you are prepared to pass the various national pharmacy technician certifications and begin your career.
Role & Responsibility
- Collect information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
- Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
- Package and label prescriptions
- Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
- Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
- Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
- Answer phone calls from customers
- Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters
| 2020 Median Pay | $35,100 per year| $16.87 per hour | |
| Work Experience in Related Occupation |
None but there will be moderate on-the-job-training |
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| Number of Jobs, 2020 |
419,300 |
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| Job Outlook, 2020-30 |
4% slower than average |
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| Employment Change 2020-30 |
16,600 |
How to become a Medical Assistant
Pharmacy technicians should have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, but they will mostly learn through on-the-job training, or complete a program in pharmacy technology. Many states regulate pharmacy technicians and most may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.
Dental Assistant
A Dental Assistant is the first person the patient sees when they enter the office. By welcoming the visitor and getting them set up for their appointment, they can alleviate any anxiety one might have visiting the dentist. Dental Assistants also handle laboratory duties ranging from sterilizing and disinfecting the equipment to setting the workspace with the necessary dental tools. Dental Assistants create impressions and restorations, take dental x-rays, polish removable prostheses and produce temporary crowns. They are invaluable to the day-to-day operations in a dental office.
Role & Responsibility
- Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
- Prepare patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
- Sterilize dental instruments
- Hand instruments to dentists during procedures
- Dry patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment
- Instruct patients in proper oral hygiene
- Process x rays and complete lab tasks, under the direction of a dentist
- Keep records of dental treatments
- Schedule patient appointments
- Work with patients on billing and payment
| 2020 Median Pay | $41,180 per year| $19.80 per hour | |
| Work Experience in Related Occupation | None | |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 |
330,200 |
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| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 11% | |
| Employment Change 2020-30 |
36,900 |
How to become a Medical Assistant
States typically do not require licenses for entry-level dental assistants. Some states require dental assistants to be licensed, registered, or certified for entry or advancement. States that allow assistants to perform expanded duties, such as coronal polishing, require that they be licensed, registered, or hold certifications from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). To earn certification from DANB, applicants must pass an exam. The educational requirements for DANB certification are that dental assistants must either have graduated from an accredited program or have a high school diploma and complete the required amount of work experience. Applicants also must have current certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
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