Discover the best health care support jobs of the year.
You don’t have to endure years of medical school, residency and other specialized training to score a great career in health care. Many health care support jobs require no more than an associate or bachelor’s degree or specialized certification while offering good wages, low unemployment and plentiful job openings. Click on to discover the Best Jobs of 2017 in the field of health care support.
25. Dental Assistant
Median Salary: $35,980
Unemployment Rate: 2.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 58,600
Dental assistants work with dentists and dental hygienists on a variety of tasks, from handling clerical work to preparing patients for treatments.
Learn more about dental assistants.
24. Paramedic
Median Salary: $31,980
Unemployment Rate: 1.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 58,500
These medical workers are first on the scene after an accident or health emergency.
Learn more about paramedics.
23. Surgical Technologist
Median Salary: $44,330
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,700
Surgical technologists assist surgeons in the operating room, including by setting out tools, sterilizing the room and helping with other tasks.
Learn more about surgical technologists.
22. Radiologic Technologist
Median Salary: $56,670
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,200
These health care workers are trained to perform medical imaging exams and administer radiation therapy treatments to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
Learn more about radiologic technologists.
21. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Median Salary: $73,360
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 300
Nuclear medicine technologists have mastered a process that involves injecting small amounts of radioactive material into patients to diagnose certain diseases and illnesses.
Learn more about nuclear medicine technologists.
20. Veterinary Technologist and Technician
Median Salary: $31,800
Unemployment Rate: 1.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,900
These professionals assist veterinarians with the tasks involved in diagnosing and treating their animal patients. In addition to certification and licensure requirements, veterinary technicians typically need an associate degree while technologists have a bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians.
19. Personal Care Aide
Median Salary: $20,980
Unemployment Rate: 7.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 458,100
Personal care aides help patients who have chronic conditions complete daily tasks.
Learn more about personal care aides.
18. Medical Assistant
Median Salary: $30,590
Unemployment Rate: 3.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 138,900
Medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, pitching in with clerical work and basic medical tasks.
Learn more about medical assistants.
17. MRI Technologist
Median Salary: $67,720
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 3,500
MRI technologists operate machines that use magnetic fields and radio waves to take images of patients’ organs and other internal parts.
Learn more about MRI technologists.
16. Medical Secretary
Median Salary: $33,040
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 108,200
Medical secretaries manage the traffic in and out of a doctor’s office, maintaining records and collecting insurance information.
Learn more about medical secretaries.
15. Physical Therapist Aide
Median Salary: $25,120
Unemployment Rate: 4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 19,500
These professionals support physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, often taking on some of the less-skilled work, including sanitizing treatment areas and performing office tasks.
Learn more about physical therapist aides.
14. Genetic Counselor
Median Salary: $72,090
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 700
These master’s degree-educated professionals help patients identify potential genetic conditions.
Learn more about genetic counselors.
13. Medical Records Technician
Median Salary: $37,110
Unemployment Rate: 2.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 29,000
Medical records technicians organize and manage health information data.
Learn more about medical records technicians.
12. Home Health Aide
Median Salary: $21,920
Unemployment Rate: 6.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 348,400
Home health aides help patients manage day-to-day tasks and are in growing demand as baby boomers age.
Learn more about home health aides.
11. Clinical Laboratory Technician
Median Salary: $38,970
Unemployment Rate: 1.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 29,000
Working under the supervision of technologists, clinical laboratory technicians analyze lab work and perform other behind-the-scenes tasks.
Learn more about clinical laboratory technicians.
10. Hearing Aid Specialist
Median Salary: $49,600
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,600
These professionals specialize in selecting, fitting and maintaining hearing-loss devices.
Learn more about hearing aid specialists.
9. Optician
Median Salary: $34,840
Unemployment Rate: 1.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,800
Staffed in stores, private practices and health care centers, these workers help patients select and fit eyewear.
Learn more about opticians.
8. Cardiovascular Technologist
Median Salary: $54,880
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 11,500
Cardiovascular technologists conduct tests on patients to help diagnose heart-related conditions.
Learn more about cardiovascular technologists.
7. Orthotist and Prosthetist
Median Salary: $64,430
Unemployment Rate: 1.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,900
These specialists work on designing, building and fitting patients with braces, artificial body parts and other medical devices.
Learn more about orthotists and prosthetists.
6. Occupational Therapy Aide
Median Salary: $27,800
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 2,700
These aides typically assist occupational therapists by performing administrative duties, cleaning or other tasks.
Learn more about occupational therapy aides.
5. Massage Therapist
Median Salary: $38,040
Unemployment Rate: 2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 36,500
Massage therapists reduce and relieve pain and unwind tense muscles using a variety of techniques.
Learn more about massage therapists.
4. Physical Therapist Assistant
Median Salary: $55,170
Unemployment Rate: 4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 31,900
PTAs work with physical therapists to help patients regain movement and mobility after an injury or illness.
Learn more about physical therapist assistants.
3. Dental Hygienist
Median Salary: $72,330
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 37,400
Dental hygienists typically work in dental offices, cleaning teeth and educating patients on how to brush and floss properly.
Learn more about dental hygienists.
2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Median Salary: $68,970
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 16,000
These health care specialists use sonography equipment to capture images for a number of medical purposes, from finding out the gender of a baby to imaging tumors.
Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers.
1. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Median Salary: $57,870
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,100
OTAs specialize in working with occupational therapists to help patients relearn daily tasks after an injury or illness.
Learn more about occupational therapy assistants.
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25 Amazing Health Care Support Jobs for 2017 originally appeared on usnews.com
