Healthcare Positions Requiring Two Years Or Less

By Nancy Giguere, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: July 28, 2005 - 11:00 PM

Are you attracted to healthcare but not thrilled about the prospect of completing a bachelor's degree? Then here's some good news: Most jobs in the industry don't require a four-year degree.

Hot Jobs

"About 75 percent of jobs in healthcare require a two-year degree or less," says Jim McGlade, human resources manager at United Hospital in St. Paul. "These jobs offer security, good pay and the satisfaction of knowing that your work really does make a difference."

Here are some jobs that are currently considered hot:

Nurses: "About one-third of our employees are nurses," McGlade says. "Registered nurses can have either a two-year or a four-year degree. Both are qualified to work in a hospital, and both are hired."

Radiologic technologists: "Rad techs" take X-rays and perform other imaging functions. Technologists must complete a two-year degree, pass the certification exam of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and be currently registered with ARRT.

Sonographers: These imaging professionals use high-frequency sound waves or ultrasound to look inside organs and blood vessels. Sonographers must complete a two-year degree. Employers prefer candidates who have passed the exam of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Surgical technologists: "Surg techs" are members of the operating room team. Before surgery, they help set up the instruments and prepare the sterile setup. During surgery, they pass instruments to the surgeon, hold retractors, cut sutures and count sponges, needles and supplies. Training programs for technologists last nine to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma or two-year degree. Most employers prefer technologists who have passed a national certification exam.

Medical transcriptionists: These professionals transcribe notes dictated by physicians and other healthcare providers, for inclusion in patient medical records. Transcriptionists must be well versed in computer software, and they must also understand the terminology of medical procedures, instrumentation and medication. Transcriptionists may complete a six-month certificate, 12-month diploma or two-year degree program.

Health unit coordinators: HUCs help staff with nonclinical clerical tasks, like updating patient charts, scheduling tests, ordering supplies and transcribing doctors' orders. Many HUCs are trained on the job, although some complete a certificate program at a community college.

Career Laddering

McGlade also notes that healthcare offers employees opportunities to "ladder" from entry-level to higher level jobs. "Most employers offer on-the-job training and tuition reimbursement programs that allow employees to return to school and advance their education," McGlade says.

For example, employees who start out as nursing assistants at United can advance to patient care associates by learning phlebotomy, or blood-drawing, skills. If they return to school, they can earn an associate degree in nursing while continuing to work.

With experience and additional course work, radiologic technologists can advance to other forms of imaging, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or mammography.

"A career in healthcare isn't for everyone," McGlade says. "To be successful, you have to care about patients. But if you like a fast-paced, hard-working environment and you want to help people, then this is a great place to be."

Nancy Giguere is a freelance writer from St. Paul and has written about healthcare since 1995.

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