Top hospital jobs for high school graduates?

I'm interested in jumping straight into a hospital job after graduating high school. What roles should I consider? Are there specific ones that only need a high school diploma and offer good learning opportunities?

While most high-profile healthcare jobs require college degrees or specialized training, there are still some options you can consider as a high school graduate. Here are a few hospital jobs that might fit your interest:

1. Medical Secretary: This role is often the first point of contact for patients. Duties include scheduling appointments, processing patient information and maintaining records. Good organizational skills and a working knowledge of medical terminology (which can be gained on the job or through vocational courses) can give you an edge in this role.

2. Phlebotomist: Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. Some hospitals and medical centres are willing to train on the job, but others might require a phlebotomy certificate, which can be earned through short-term courses.

3. Medical Assistant: Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks, including taking patient history, preparing patients for examinations, or managing patient records. Some employers will offer on-the-job training, but others may ask for a postsecondary non-degree award.

4. Patient Transporter: They are responsible for transporting patients to different areas of the hospital, like from their rooms to the radiology department. This job only requires a high school diploma and offers plenty of patient interaction.

5. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): While this role requires certification, the training programs are often short (4-12 weeks), affordable, and sometimes even offered for free by employers in need of CNAs. This hands-on role assists nurses and gets you involved in direct patient care.

6. Medical Biller or Coder: These individuals work with the healthcare billing system, submitting claims for reimbursements and dealing with uncompensated care. It is possible to obtain a position with a high school diploma and complete on-the-job training, even though certification programs exist.

It's important to note that while these positions can all be obtained with a high school diploma or a short certificate program, they do have room for advancement. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for pursuing further education in the medical field. So, these roles can be seen as stepping stones to more advanced healthcare positions, should you decide to pursue those pathways in the future.