Paid healthcare jobs for high school students?

I'm a high schooler looking for paid jobs in the healthcare field. Are there realistic options for students to get paid work, even if it's just part-time or weekend positions? Any leads or personal experiences would be super helpful!

You may think that being a high schooler could limit your options for paid work in the healthcare field, but there are actually several opportunities, depending on your interest area, availability, and context.

1. Medical administrative assistant or receptionist: Some healthcare facilities, such as local clinics or small-private practices, look for administrative help. You could assist with scheduling, phone calls, and maintaining patient records. This role would give you an insight into the administrative side of healthcare.

2. Dietary aide: Most hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted-living facilities need dietary aides. Your duties would likely include meal prep, serving food, and helping with clean-up. This role would allow you to engage directly with patients and understand their needs.

ers or Home Instead Senior Care often hire high school students.

3. Pharmacy cashier or assistant: Many national chains like Walgreens or CVS are open to hiring high schoolers as cashiers or pharmacy assistants.

4. Lab assistant or technician: Some research or (blood) testing labs offer part-time entry-level positions to high schoolers, where you might do tasks such as cleaning glassware or preparing lab equipment.

Remember, it's also okay if you can't land a paid job in the healthcare field just yet. Unpaid internships and volunteering could also provide excellent experiences and opportunities to learn more about this field. For instance, volunteering at a local hospital could offer unique insights.

I recommend approaching the job hunt by narrowing down which area(s) of healthcare you're most interested in, and seeking opportunities closely aligned with that. This will give your search direction and maximize your learning experiences while balancing your time and schoolwork.