In the healthcare field, there are many rewarding non-clinical career paths to pursue beyond working directly with patients. As the healthcare industry continues to grow and evolve in 2024, you will have exciting opportunities to leverage your skills and passions to make a difference behind the scenes.
This article explores some of the top up-and-coming non-clinical roles projected to be in high demand that you may want to consider, ranging from healthcare project managers and medical scribes to health information technicians and public health educators. With the right training and education, you can find a fulfilling healthcare position that matches your interests and enables you to indirectly improve patient outcomes by supporting clinical staff. Whether you are just starting your career or looking to transition into a new healthcare role, read on to learn about some of the most promising non-clinical jobs to keep on your radar.
What are Non-clinical Healthcare Jobs?
Non-clinical healthcare jobs refer to positions in the healthcare industry that do not provide direct patient care. These roles typically support clinical staff and healthcare operations.
Top Non-clinical Healthcare Jobs to Consider in 2024
1. Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They may manage an entire healthcare facility or specialize in managing a specific clinical area or department. These managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in health administration, health services, nursing, public health, or a related field. The median pay for medical and health services managers in the US is over $100,000 per year.
2. Health Information Technicians
Health information technicians organize and manage health information data. They ensure its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems. They may specialize in areas like coding diagnoses and procedures for insurance reimbursement. An associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate in health information technology is typically required. According to the BLS, health information technicians earn a median salary of $42,840 per year.
3. Healthcare Social Workers
Healthcare social workers help patients understand their diagnosis and treatments, cope with health issues, and connect to community resources. They provide counseling and referrals to outside agencies. Healthcare social workers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in social work and must be licensed in their state. The median salary for healthcare social workers in the US is $56,200 per year.
4. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
Home health and personal care aides assist people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairment with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and eating. They work in clients’ homes and residential care facilities. These aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training. According to the BLS, the median pay for home health and personal care aides is over $25,000 per year. Due to the aging population, this occupation is projected to grow over 35% from 2019 to 2029, adding over 800,000 new jobs.
In summary, the healthcare industry provides many opportunities beyond direct patient care roles. Some of the top non-clinical healthcare jobs to consider include medical and health services managers, health information technicians, healthcare social workers, and home health and personal care aides. With the right education and training, these healthcare careers can lead to fulfilling work helping support patients and the healthcare system.
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FAQs
What are the job responsibilities in non-clinical healthcare roles?
In non-clinical healthcare jobs, professionals typically perform administrative and operational tasks to support clinical staff and healthcare organizations. Common responsibilities include managing patient records, billing and coding, facilitating admissions and discharges, scheduling appointments, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Non-clinical roles do not provide direct patient care but instead handle the operational aspects that allow clinical staff to focus on care delivery.
What qualifications or certifications are typically required?
The qualifications for non-clinical healthcare jobs vary depending on the specific role. Some positions may require a certification or associate’s degree in health information management, medical billing, or healthcare administration. Other roles may prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, public health, or business administration. Relevant work experience in an administrative healthcare setting is also often valued. Certifications in areas like medical coding, billing, and auditing can demonstrate one’s competence to employers and may lead to increased pay.
What is the job outlook and earning potential?
The job outlook for non-clinical healthcare roles is very positive. The aging population and increased access to healthcare are driving growth in healthcare organizations and the demand for support staff. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs like medical records specialists, medical assistants, and medical billers and coders are projected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.
Salaries vary significantly based on factors like job title, experience, education, certifications, and geographic location. However, most non-clinical healthcare professionals earn a median salary of $40,000 to $60,000 per year in the U.S. Experienced individuals in leadership roles like healthcare administrators and managers typically earn $70,000 to $150,000 or more annually. Lucrative specializations like auditing, compliance, and cybersecurity can also command higher pay.
Conclusion
Non-clinical healthcare jobs offer solid career opportunities for those interested in working in the healthcare field without direct patient care responsibilities. A growing job market, competitive salaries, and a range of qualification levels mean there are options for people at various stages in their careers. With hard work and continuous learning, there is significant room for career progression into more advanced roles with higher compensation.
