For those who are just beginning their careers or are mid-career and looking for a change, healthcare offers many ways to get involved with various entry-level positions. 

What is an Entry-Level Position?

An entry-level position is a type of job that can require minimal education, training, and experience. They are available as both full or part-time roles. In different entry-level jobs, you may need higher academic qualifications, specialized skills, knowledge, or techniques. In other entry-level positions, you can participate in on-the-job training so you can gain valuable industry knowledge and experience.

In the healthcare industry, there are many entry-level jobs for individuals of all skills and educational backgrounds. Here are just four of those careers. 

Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician is a medical professional who works with pharmacists to help patients to ensure they receive the best care. Job tasks can include finding, packaging, and labeling prescribed medications. A pharmacy technician can work in a neighborhood pharmacy, medical offices, nursing homes, prisons, veterinary practices, prisons, and even the drug industry. To become a pharmacy technician, you don’t need a college degree, only a high school diploma/GED. You will need to receive a pharmacy technician certificate and receive real-world experience in a pharmacy through an internship or externship. 

Medical Assistant 

A medical assistant will work alongside physicians to provide administrative and clinical duties. 

Some of the clinical tasks include the following:

  • Taking records of medical histories
  • Explaining treatment procedures to patients 
  • Preparing patients for examinations
  • Assisting the physician during examinations
  • Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
  • Performing basic laboratory tests 
  • Preparing and administering medications 

Some of these administrative duties include:

  • Answering telephone calls
  • Welcoming patients 
  • Updating and filing patient records
  • Coding and filling out insurance forms
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Handling billing and bookkeeping

To become a medical assistant, you must have a high school diploma/GED and a certificate from a medical assistant certification course or EMT program. However, employers like it when an applicant has a Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association. Also, previous experience in an office can help you secure this kind of job.  

Licensed Practical Nurse

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is responsible for providing basic patient care and comfort. They will monitor a patient’s status, manage patient care, and keep up-to-date with medical records. In most cases, an LPN will be a patient’s primary point of contact, relaying patient concerns or questions to the rest of the care team, which includes doctors and nurses. To be an LPN, you only need a high school diploma/GED, complete a vocational training course, and pass the National Council Examination for Practical Nurses. Working as an LPN can be a great gateway into a nursing career. 

Phlebotomist  

A phlebotomist collects blood from patients and prepares the samples for testing. While some phlebotomists work in hospitals and clinics, some collect blood for donation purposes. These technicians will explain procedures to patients, take blood pressure, pulse, and respiration readings, draw blood, apply bandages after blood is drawn, send blood, urine, or fecal samples to the lab for testing, sterilize equipment and clean workspaces, and update patient medical records. Phlebotomists need to have a high school degree/GED and pass a phlebotomy technician training program.

Discover more about entry-level opportunities in the healthcare industry and training programs with MassHire North Shore Career Center.