However, not every healthcare career is all-consuming, and many medical jobs offer reasonable hours, flexible shifts, and opportunities for work-life balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve put together 20 career possibilities for those who want to work in healthcare, help others, and still have a life outside work \u2014 and then we\u2019ve covered one important technology that could eventually mean more flexible schedules for almost all healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
20 Best Medical Careers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"medical](\"https:\/\/generaltranscriptionworkfromhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/351B-medical-assistant-250.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n1 – Medical Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Medical assistants help physicians with a variety of tasks both administrative and clinical, depending on their level of experience and the needs of their facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Busy hospitals tend to have more demanding work schedules, but smaller officers and clinics often have more reasonable hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical assistants require minimal training, and the position is a great entry-level opportunity for those looking to break into the healthcare industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 – Registered Nurse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once they\u2019ve completed their training, nurses are often able to set their own schedules, at least to some extent, and choose the shifts that work best for them. Some even go to work on their own, either in private facilities or in people\u2019s homes, allowing them even more control over their schedule. You do need a bachelor\u2019s degree to become a nurse \u2014 or a master\u2019s degree if you\u2019ve already graduated from college. However, some degree programs can be completed on your own time, and associate\u2019s degrees or training\/certification programs are also an option. Before you know it, you\u2019ll be donning scrubs<\/a> for your first shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3 – Occupational Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Occupational therapists work with patients who have emotional, mental, or developmental conditions that can make completing everyday tasks like eating or bathing difficult. Occupational therapists work in a variety of environments, including nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and homes. It does require a master\u2019s degree to become an occupational therapist, but after you earn your degree, you\u2019ll be able to choose between full- and part-time work.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"medical](\"https:\/\/generaltranscriptionworkfromhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/306G2-jobs-in-medical-coding-get-AHIMA-approved-250.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4 – Medical Coder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Medical coders<\/strong> assign codes<\/strong> to patient files based on doctors\u2019 notes of the patient\u2019s symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and medication. Medical codes<\/a> help standardize treatment notations and protect patient privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMedical coders may work directly for hospitals or private practices, and some work independently as freelance coders after they get enough experience. Because of the nature of this work, medical coding can offer opportunities for flexible schedules and\/or remote work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no official degree for medical coding, though getting a certification can give you a leg up in the job-hunting process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical\u00a0billers\u00a0<\/strong>use the codes provided by the medical coder to bill insurance companies and patients, create and present health insurance claims to insurance companies, and collect money for healthcare professionals and facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn smaller offices, the same person often handles both coding and billing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RECOMMENDED READING:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- 20+ remote medical coding jobs.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to get medical coding jobs from home.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Top 6 Reasons to Get a Medical Billing and Coding Career.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Medical Transcription vs Medical Coding vs Medical Billing.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5 – Dietician or Nutritionist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, becoming a dietician is an up-front commitment: You\u2019ll need to get a bachelor\u2019s degree, pass an exam, earn your credentials and a license, and possibly complete an internship or externship. Once you become a nutritionist, however, you\u2019ll have much more control over your schedule. Some dieticians join an existing practice, while others go into private practice for themselves or even work out of their own homes, which allows them to set their own hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addition from the publisher: <\/strong>If you don't have a bachelor's degree, you can become a Nutrition and Personal Trainer. You\u2019ll be an inspiration for those who need help tweaking their diet and\/or developing an exercise routine to meet their individual goals. You\u2019ll lead, instruct, and motivate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 – Home Health Aide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Home health aides help individuals who have some kind of disability \u2014 whether due to age, illness, or injury \u2014 and need help with daily tasks to ensure a higher quality of life. They may go into individual homes or work at an assisted living facility that serves multiple patients at once. Home health aides can work full-time or part-time, and night or weekend shifts are sometimes an option, depending on the facility. Becoming a home health aide doesn\u2019t require an official degree, but you might have to undergo some type of training or testing to be hired as one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 – Physical Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Physical therapists design recovery plans for a variety of patients, from athletes recuperating from injuries to patients recovering from a stroke. Physical therapists work with their clients to improve mobility, strength, flexibility, balance, range of motion, and more. Becoming a full-fledged physical therapist requires getting a physical therapy degree and passing a state licensure exam, while physical therapist aides only need an associate\u2019s degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
8 – Dental Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/generaltranscriptionworkfromhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/330C-dental-assistant-205x300.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDental assistants help provide patient care, take X-rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. Most dentists are only open during regular business hours Mondays through Fridays, which automatically limits your hours as a dental assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some even choose to go part-time, only working two or three business days a week to give themselves more flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your state\u2019s requirements, you might need to attend a one- or two-year program, and once you\u2019ve graduated you\u2019ll help with both administrative and clinical tasks at the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can get trained as a dental assistant in as little as 4 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9 – Speech Language Pathologist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Working with patients of all ages from babies to adults, speech-language pathologists help to improve communication and swallowing problems. They work in a wide variety of environments, including hospitals, schools, physicians\u2019 offices, colleges and universities, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Different workplaces offer different degrees of flexibility in terms of schedule. Speech-language pathologists earn a master\u2019s degree before passing a state licensure exam and becoming certified to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10 – Telehealth Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While telehealth isn\u2019t a specific occupation, the rise of telemedicine \u2014 remotely delivering healthcare through technology such as secure video calls and chats \u2014 is opening up more flexible schedules for a variety of practitioners. Doctors, nurses, and other professionals can make themselves available according to their own schedules for these virtual visits. And since they\u2019re consulting with patients remotely, practitioners don\u2019t have to drive to and from appointments, freeing up yet more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t have to sacrifice the rest of your life to work in healthcare and help others. These nine careers are a great starting point for aspiring medical professionals who still want work-life balance. And even if none of these careers appeal to you, one day soon telehealth technology might create a more flexible schedule for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n1 – Medical Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Medical assistants help physicians with a variety of tasks both administrative and clinical, depending on their level of experience and the needs of their facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Busy hospitals tend to have more demanding work schedules, but smaller officers and clinics often have more reasonable hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical assistants require minimal training, and the position is a great entry-level opportunity for those looking to break into the healthcare industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 – Registered Nurse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once they\u2019ve completed their training, nurses are often able to set their own schedules, at least to some extent, and choose the shifts that work best for them. Some even go to work on their own, either in private facilities or in people\u2019s homes, allowing them even more control over their schedule. You do need a bachelor\u2019s degree to become a nurse \u2014 or a master\u2019s degree if you\u2019ve already graduated from college. However, some degree programs can be completed on your own time, and associate\u2019s degrees or training\/certification programs are also an option. Before you know it, you\u2019ll be donning scrubs<\/a> for your first shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Occupational therapists work with patients who have emotional, mental, or developmental conditions that can make completing everyday tasks like eating or bathing difficult. Occupational therapists work in a variety of environments, including nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and homes. It does require a master\u2019s degree to become an occupational therapist, but after you earn your degree, you\u2019ll be able to choose between full- and part-time work.<\/p>\n\n\n Medical coders<\/strong> assign codes<\/strong> to patient files based on doctors\u2019 notes of the patient\u2019s symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and medication. Medical codes<\/a> help standardize treatment notations and protect patient privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medical coders may work directly for hospitals or private practices, and some work independently as freelance coders after they get enough experience. Because of the nature of this work, medical coding can offer opportunities for flexible schedules and\/or remote work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no official degree for medical coding, though getting a certification can give you a leg up in the job-hunting process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medical\u00a0billers\u00a0<\/strong>use the codes provided by the medical coder to bill insurance companies and patients, create and present health insurance claims to insurance companies, and collect money for healthcare professionals and facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In smaller offices, the same person often handles both coding and billing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RECOMMENDED READING:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, becoming a dietician is an up-front commitment: You\u2019ll need to get a bachelor\u2019s degree, pass an exam, earn your credentials and a license, and possibly complete an internship or externship. Once you become a nutritionist, however, you\u2019ll have much more control over your schedule. Some dieticians join an existing practice, while others go into private practice for themselves or even work out of their own homes, which allows them to set their own hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addition from the publisher: <\/strong>If you don't have a bachelor's degree, you can become a Nutrition and Personal Trainer. You\u2019ll be an inspiration for those who need help tweaking their diet and\/or developing an exercise routine to meet their individual goals. You\u2019ll lead, instruct, and motivate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Home health aides help individuals who have some kind of disability \u2014 whether due to age, illness, or injury \u2014 and need help with daily tasks to ensure a higher quality of life. They may go into individual homes or work at an assisted living facility that serves multiple patients at once. Home health aides can work full-time or part-time, and night or weekend shifts are sometimes an option, depending on the facility. Becoming a home health aide doesn\u2019t require an official degree, but you might have to undergo some type of training or testing to be hired as one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Physical therapists design recovery plans for a variety of patients, from athletes recuperating from injuries to patients recovering from a stroke. Physical therapists work with their clients to improve mobility, strength, flexibility, balance, range of motion, and more. Becoming a full-fledged physical therapist requires getting a physical therapy degree and passing a state licensure exam, while physical therapist aides only need an associate\u2019s degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dental assistants help provide patient care, take X-rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. Most dentists are only open during regular business hours Mondays through Fridays, which automatically limits your hours as a dental assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some even choose to go part-time, only working two or three business days a week to give themselves more flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your state\u2019s requirements, you might need to attend a one- or two-year program, and once you\u2019ve graduated you\u2019ll help with both administrative and clinical tasks at the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get trained as a dental assistant in as little as 4 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working with patients of all ages from babies to adults, speech-language pathologists help to improve communication and swallowing problems. They work in a wide variety of environments, including hospitals, schools, physicians\u2019 offices, colleges and universities, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Different workplaces offer different degrees of flexibility in terms of schedule. Speech-language pathologists earn a master\u2019s degree before passing a state licensure exam and becoming certified to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While telehealth isn\u2019t a specific occupation, the rise of telemedicine \u2014 remotely delivering healthcare through technology such as secure video calls and chats \u2014 is opening up more flexible schedules for a variety of practitioners. Doctors, nurses, and other professionals can make themselves available according to their own schedules for these virtual visits. And since they\u2019re consulting with patients remotely, practitioners don\u2019t have to drive to and from appointments, freeing up yet more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t have to sacrifice the rest of your life to work in healthcare and help others. These nine careers are a great starting point for aspiring medical professionals who still want work-life balance. And even if none of these careers appeal to you, one day soon telehealth technology might create a more flexible schedule for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3 – Occupational Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4 – Medical Coder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
5 – Dietician or Nutritionist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6 – Home Health Aide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7 – Physical Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8 – Dental Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n9 – Speech Language Pathologist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10 – Telehealth Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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