Medical Field Program Guide

medical field programs

Are you interested in working in a field that not only offers many options but also allows you to help others? If so, you may want to consider working in the field of medicine. Below you will find valuable information on careers available in the field of medicine, degrees required, and an overview of what the field of medicine involves.

What is the Field of Medicine?

Medicine is a vast field that covers more areas than you can imagine. It involves the practice and science of:

  • Treating patients
  • Diagnosing illnesses
  • Preventing illnesses
  • Offering a prognosis
  • Caring for patients
  • Promoting good health
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Get to Help Others

A degree or certificate in the medical field means you will likely be involved with patients in some way. If you like helping others, then the medical field is a good choice.

 

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Many Career Choices

Earning a degree or certificate in a medical career means job security and lots of options. Once you get into the medical field, you can learn more about other career options you’d like to pursue.

 

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Potential for Good Wages

Because the medical field is so vast, the potential to earn high wages is also present. This is especially true careers like medical simulation, nurse practitioner and physician assistant, but a solid living can also be made as a radiology tech or a phlebotomist.

Regardless of what type of medical career you want, you’ll probably need to obtain some education or training. In most cases, this involves getting a degree. There are so many options from which to choose in the medical field, whether you want to earn an associate degree, a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Here are some examples of medical careers, education required, and a few schools that offer medical programs.

Technical Degrees in the Medical Field

  • Purdue Global – Purdue offers a medical coding and billing certificate program that can be completed in about 11 months. Students complete online courses while also obtaining hands-on training through a 40-hour practicum course that has the student working in a healthcare facility. The program also prepares students for the certification exam.

Associate’s Degrees in the Medical Field

  • Northcentral Technical College – NTC offers an online associate degree in surgical technology. This is a two-year program that prepares students to work in surgery rooms and assist that surgeon with his or her needs. Duties include handing over surgical instruments to surgeons, cleaning the room before and after the surgery, monitoring the patient during surgery, and more.
  • Clarkson College – Clarkson College offers an online Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. Students learn about physical therapy and how they can assist physical therapists. This is a hybrid program that can be finished in two years or less. In addition to the courses, students are required to complete an internship.

BA/BS Degrees in the Medical Field

  • Western Governors University – Western Governors University offers an online information technology bachelor’s degree program that can be completed in 39 months. This program prepares students for various positions, including information technology specialist, information security analyst, and more.
  • Norwich University – Norwich University offers an online Bachelor of Public Health that prepares students to work in public health positions where they can help individuals or groups of people. Their main duties are keeping the community aware of public health issues. This 120-credit program can be completed in two years. The program is offered as both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts.

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Master’s Degrees in the Medical Field

  • George Washington University – GWU offers a Master of Health Administration program that prepares students to work in a healthcare facility as a healthcare administration. Students learn how a hospital is run and what they can do to make it run more efficiently. Depending on whether the student goes part time or full time, the program can be completed in two years. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree.
  • Southern New Hampshire University – SNHU offers an online Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education. This program is ideal for RNs that want to advance their education and work in leadership positions. In addition to nursing education courses, the student will also complete 135 hours of clinical education. This program, which offers several tracks, can be completed in two years.

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Advanced Degrees in the Medical Field

  • Rasmussen University – Rasmussen offers an online Doctors of Nursing Practice program that prepares RNs for advanced nursing positions in healthcare or performing research. The program is offered both full and part-time? Full time students can complete the DNP program in 21 months.
  • James Madison – James Madison University offers a Psy.D in Clinical and School Psychology that provides students with the skills and knowledge to work as licensed psychologists in an office or school setting. This is an on-campus program that can be taken full- or part-time. Full time students can complete the program in four years.

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Careers in the Medical Field

  • Medical massage therapist – Medical massage therapists use their hands to apply pressure to a patient to relieve stress, pain and provide general wellness. Individuals can become a massage therapist by earning a diploma or certificate. There is typically no degree required.
  • Diagnostic medical sonographer – Diagnostic medical sonographers are the professionals who use machines to take x-rays and do scans of the body. These professionals generally need at least an associate degree.
  • Radiation technician or technologist – Radiation technicians or technologists provide radiation to patients who have cancer or similar diseases. It takes at least an associate degree to work in this field.
  • Registered nurse – Registered nurses provide care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Although an individual may work as a nurse with an associate degree, many choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. For advanced positions, some RNs earn a master’s degree.
  • Nurse Practitioner – Also known as advanced practice registered nurses (ADRNs), nurse practitioners perform the same work as RNs. Nurse practitioners provide healthcare in specialized areas. Many have almost the same duties of doctors. Nurse practitioners must have at least a master’s degree.
  • Health Information Technologist – Health information technologists analyze medical data and advise organizations on how to better the system. This is a great option for individuals who want to work in the medical field without having patient contact.

Attributes of a Medical Career or Degree

  • Career Advancements – Studying medicine can open many doors for you, whether you want to become a nurse’s aid, a surgical technician, or a nurse practitioner. Many of the credits from an associate degree can be transferred to a bachelor’s or master’s degree medical program.
  • Financial Benefits – While some medical careers may not offer the highest wages, many others have the potential for excellent wages, especially if you’ve been at the same job for a while. Medical careers typically come with very good benefits and compensations.
  • Job Security – For many individuals choosing a career, job security is at the top of the list. With so many different medical jobs available, you’re almost assured of good job security. If one position closes, another may open in the medical field.

Steps to a Career in Medicine

Once you’ve decided you want to work in the medical field, your first step is determining exactly what you want for a medical career. Are you interested in helping with billing and coding? Does becoming a registered nurse sound exciting and rewarding, or would you prefer a job where you do behind-the-scenes work?

With the medical field offering so many different career options, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing a medical program. Once you’ve deciding what exactly it is you want to do, it’s time to research schools that offer your chosen field. Many colleges offer both online and on-campus programs.

Many people choose online programs due to their flexibility and convenience. When searching for a college, make sure the school and/or the program are accredited. Once you find the ideal program, you’re set to begin learning! The final step is to get going towards your aspired career.

Next Steps

Getting started with a career in the medical field is simple – just inquire with several programs today and begin your journey!