| Have a passion for medicine, but not for school? You can have the medical career you’ve always wanted without committing to eight or more years of college. The health care industry is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States. With the next president promising to revamp our healthcare system, job prospects for people interested in medicine are only getting better and better. Here are seven different career possibilities in the medical field that you can do with an associate’s degree or certificate from an accredited career school. X-ray Technician X-ray technicians take x-rays of patients for doctors. They are responsible for positioning the patient, developing the film, maintaining equipment, and being knowledgeable about safe levels of radiation exposure. X-ray technicians can expect to make an average of $24.59 per hour, making this one of the most lucrative medical careers you can have without a doctorate. While most x-ray technicians hold associate’s degrees, certificate and bachelor’s degree programs in radiography are also available. View a complete list of X-Ray Technology Schools Dental Assistant This is one of the hottest jobs around, with an expected growth rate of twenty-nine percent through 2016. Dental assistants work closely with dentists setting up equipment, taking patient x-rays, performing routine cleanings, and assisting with more complicated procedures. Dental assistants make an average of $15.52 per hour, and most dental assistant programs take a year or less to complete. View a complete list of Dental Assistant Schools Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies under the supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians handle medication, often counting out pills, measuring dosages, and labeling prescription bottles. They also interact with customers by taking prescriptions and ringing them up. About the only thing a pharmacy technician can’t do is give medical advice. Employment in this field is expected to rise a whopping thirty-two percent through 2016, and pharmacy technicians make an average of $13.25 per hour. To get adequate training, pharmacy technicians usually complete either a certificate or associate’s degree program. View a complete list of Pharmacy Technician Schools Physical Therapist Assistant To become a licensed physical therapist, you need a master’s degree or a doctorate. To assist a physical therapist in her work, you only need an associate’s degree. A physical therapist assistant helps patients recover from injuries, surgery, or medical conditions through various techniques. A physical therapist assistant should be well-versed in exercise and massage, as well as pain relief techniques. Physical therapist assistants earn an average of $21.32 per hour. View a complete list of Physical Therapy Schools Surgical Technician Surgical technicians work in operating rooms ... |