Exploring Healthcare Jobs for High School Students

I'm a high school student interested in healthcare and thinking of finding a related job or volunteer position. Are there specific positions within healthcare that typically hire high school students? How can I get involved in this field early on?

There are indeed a number of possibilities for high school students to get involved in the healthcare industry. Here are a few roles, each with unique advantages:

1. Medical Office Receptionist: For this job, you'll be introduced to the administrative side of healthcare, which can require answering phones, scheduling appointments, and interacting with patients. While you won't gain direct medical experience, you'll start to understand the inner workings of a healthcare facility.

2. Pharmacy Technician: Some pharmacies offer training programs for high school students, where you'll learn about processing prescriptions and offering customer service. This role provides you with a great opportunity to learn more about medications and patient interactions.

3. Caregiver or Personal Care Assistant: While this job often requires certification, there are positions for non-certified caregivers that mainly involve assisting with activities of daily living like preparing meals or providing companionship. Apart from patient interaction, this role teaches empathy and compassion, skills valued in the healthcare field.

4. Hospital Volunteering: Hospitals and healthcare facilities often have volunteering opportunities. These can range from transporting patients, working at the information desk, to even shadowing healthcare professionals in certain departments.

5. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program: Some states allow high school students to get certified as EMTs. In this role, you'll handle medical emergencies, which can give you a deep understanding of the medical field.

6. Community Health Volunteer: Non-profit organizations and community health clinics often seek out volunteers for health education campaigns or vaccination drives. You’ll learn about public health and preventive measures.

Remember, each position requires different skills and hours. It's crucial to think about what you want to gain from your experience and how much time you can commit. Make sure to consider these aspects before making a decision. If you're unable to land a healthcare job or volunteer position, you might also consider joining a health-related club at your school or taking a relevant course, like biology or health science, to further expose yourself to the field.