The healthcare industry is one of the most recession-proof career fields available, and many jobs in the field are known for their high pay and good benefits. These factors naturally make healthcare a popular choice, not to mention the rewarding nature of helping people and the number of healthcare positions with high job satisfaction.
When envisioning the healthcare industry, most people will likely think of doctors and other positions that require years of education and experience, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re interested in working in healthcare, there are a variety of positions available with flexibility. Here are a few ways in which you can land a healthcare job without previous experience.
Work as an Office Assistant
There are assistant positions available to perform administrative duties, and perhaps some additional work, in basically any healthcare industry. From an orthodontist’s office in San Antonio to a Denver audiologist, you have a wide range of options across the country. These jobs are particularly good as first opportunities since they frequently pay a higher salary than similar positions, and they provide some great transferable experience.
Pursue an Aide Job
Aides are a vital part of any healthcare team, and you have many options to choose from. For example, you could work as an Occupational Therapist’s aide with no prior healthcare experience. Your role will generally be limited to equipment handling and administrative work, but it can be great for opening doors.
If you have an interest in mental health, you could work as a psychiatric aide. You’ll generally be helping those with mental or emotional issues under the supervision of nurses and technicians. Your work can range from assisting with recreational activities to helping with hygiene or transportation. The job is varied, and you’ll be helping those who lack the means to help themselves.
If you’re willing to put in just a bit of school work, you can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) by completing a single course. With this training, many more high-demand healthcare jobs will open up to you. For those interested, some companies even offer traveling CNA opportunities that typically pay higher than traditional work.
Provide Nutritional Supplements
This is a somewhat less direct path, but if you have an entrepreneur’s spirit, you might consider providing supplements to the public. These could include things like nutritional supplements or probiotics. Supplements are extremely popular, and they’re a regular part of many people’s daily routine. You could even partner with a reputable probiotic manufacturer to receive already approved products and save yourself a great deal of hassle.
Work in a Nursing Home
Nursing homes are a necessity to care for elderly citizens who are no longer able to fully care for themselves. Nursing homes care for and assure the happiness of many people’s family and loved ones in ways that families simply can’t handle. These homes are, unfortunately, also frequently understaffed and in dire need of employees.
Nursing homes offer a great variety of jobs, so candidates without traditional healthcare experience are welcome. In addition to nursing positions, there are also positions available in maintenance, housekeeping, and the dietary department. All of these jobs can be a great window into the healthcare industry, and learning and becoming comfortable with the nursing home environment can be a unique advantage later.
For those who have a four-year degree, nursing home positions can lead to a high-level career even without healthcare experience. Many nursing homes offer opportunities for the Administrator in Training program (AIT). An AIT position is essentially an internship where a candidate will work under the supervision of a mentor for approximately six months to a year before taking a board exam to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. These jobs frequently make $70,000+ a year and can be great opportunities for candidates of any educational background.
