Health Care Jobs With a High School Diploma: What Are My Options?

I'm considering going into the healthcare field right after high school but don't want to invest in further studies just yet. What types of healthcare jobs can I get with only a high school diploma?

While most careers in the healthcare field require extensive training and education, there are several opportunities for you with just a high school diploma. Here are some options:

1. Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacists depend heavily on pharmacy techs to manage their day-to-day operations. Your responsibilities might include filling prescriptions, interacting with customers, and organizing inventory. Some states require certification, but many others offer on-the-job training.

2. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): EMTs respond to emergency calls, perform medical services, and transport patients to medical facilities. You will require a short-term training course to become an EMT, typically ranging from 3 weeks to a few months.

3. Medical Assistant: Medical assistants perform basic healthcare tasks in doctors' offices, hospitals, and clinics. Your duties might include taking patient histories, scheduling appointments, and performing minor medical tasks.

4. Home Health Aide: Home Health Aides assist patients who are chronically ill, disabled, or cognitively impaired. They often help older adults who need assistance performing everyday tasks. Most home health aides work for home health care services or public and private facilities.

5. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): CNAs work under the supervision of licensed nurses and assist patients with their daily tasks. These tasks might include feeding, bathing, dressing, and turning patients. Training programs to become a CNA typically last four to eight weeks.

These are entry-level jobs that can serve as a stepping stone for future educational and career opportunities in healthcare. Each of these jobs will give you a solid foundation of experience to build upon if and when you choose to further your education. The important part is to find an environment where you can learn, grow, and get a better sense of what specific field you'd like to delve deeper into.