3 Great Careers for Medical Students

Students who are interested in a career in the medical field might decide they don’t want to spend the time and money required to become a physician. The good news is that they don’t need to be a medical doctor to work in a high-paying job in the health care industry. Non-physicians enjoy some of the highest paid jobs without the time and high cost involved with becoming a doctor.

Careers in the medical field are in high demand for several reasons. The changing health care landscape is in flux, and as the baby boomers age, they require a higher level of medical care. The health care industry continues to grow, and many jobs are well paying. In fact, often medical professionals can earn over $100,000 per year—without going to medical school. The medical field is in such demand, that the health care field is the second most popular field of study among college students, and is expected to grow 18 percent by the year 2026.

With the rise in the need for health care administrators, physician assistants, technicians, researchers, genetic counselors, and others, health care professionals are being paid higher salaries, and the growth of the health care industry ensures someone entering the field has an abundance of employment opportunities.

Students interested in entering the health care field, but not interested in becoming a physician can find numerous options. Often, students opt to skip college and enter a medical assistant training program instead. These programs allow students to enter the medical field and train in a variety of fields. Although school can be an expensive prospect, students who opt to join a medical assistant training program can apply for scholarships and student loans. Often the associated costs are less expensive than a traditional medical school or four-year university program.

Here are three great careers for students interested in the medical profession:

1. Physician Assistant

Physician assistants often perform the same tasks as doctors, and although they’re not allowed to perform surgery, they can diagnose and treat patients, stitch wounds, write prescriptions, and create care plans.

The education requirements for a physician’s assistant are much less rigorous for a physician assistant than for a medical doctor. A physician’s training can take an average of 10 years to complete, but the training program for a physician assistant can be accomplished in as little as two to two and a half years.

Educational requirements include an undergraduate bachelor’s degree, as well as a physician’s assistant training program and certification. Although a physician assistant doesn’t command the same salary as a physician, the average base salary is more than $100,000 per year. The growth rate for a physician assistant is projected to be 31 percent between 2018 and 2028.

2. Medical Imaging

A medical imaging student can choose many paths. These include radiologic technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, vascular technologists, and radiation therapists. Depending on their position, medical imaging positions can work in hospitals and medical centers, doctor’s offices, or in a specialty diagnostic imaging center.

Although a bachelor’s degree is preferred, most medical imaging careers require only an associate degree, along with training in an accredited program. Medical imaging salaries vary widely, with salaries averaging between $55,000 to $85,000, depending on the location and job responsibilities.

3. Nurse Midwife

One of the oldest medical professions is the nurse midwife. A nurse midwife’s duties include performing gynecological exams, pre- and post-natal care, assisting women during labor and delivery, and teaching breastfeeding.

Educational requirements for a nurse midwife typically include a bachelor’s degree, along with a master’s degree and certification by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Although a career as a nurse midwife requires extra schooling and training, this position is among the highest paid non-medical school careers. The average nurse midwife salary is more than $117,000 a year.