A clinical healthcare career usually requires attending medical school and undergoing years of intensive study and specialized training. However, for those interested in the healthcare industry but not set on becoming doctors or nurses, there are numerous rewarding non-clinical career paths to consider that don’t require the same amount of medical education. Here are five fast-growing non-clinical jobs that allow you to work in the healthcare sector without needing a clinical degree.
1. Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare administrators oversee the business and administrative functions of hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. Some common responsibilities include budgeting, improving facility efficiency, purchasing equipment, managing records and IT systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and more. The minimum requirement is usually a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration or a related field, or an MS in Health Science. With growing administrative needs, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32% through 2031.
2. Medical Writer
Medical writers create a wide range of clinical documents like research reports, medical journal articles, regulatory submissions, healthcare marketing materials, patient education resources and more. Most roles require a degree or background in a health-related field along with excellent writing skills. Medical writing offers variety, work-life balance and high pay relative to education requirements. The career has an above-average projected job outlook as well.
3. Medical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical and medical device companies depend on sales teams to market their products to healthcare facilities and physicians. Medical sales reps promote technologies, equipment, instruments, biotech therapies, drugs and more used to diagnose or treat patients. A bachelor’s degree is typically sufficient, usually in a science or health field. This career combines aspects of sales and clinical knowledge for a lucrative role with a median pay of around $60,000 annually.
4. Clinical Research Associate
Clinical research associates are responsible for coordinating and monitoring clinical trials to ensure strict adherence to federal regulations and scientific integrity. Main duties include developing trial protocols, obtaining informed consent, recording and reporting data, preparing documents for regulatory agencies, and upholding patient safety measures. The role offers impactful work with comfortable salaries and an above-average job growth outlook. A bachelor’s in science and clinical experience is generally preferred.
5. Health Informatics Specialist
Health informatics specialists integrate information technology systems into healthcare operations. They install, customize, test, and maintain electronic health record software, computer databases, and other systems used in patient billing, medical records, insurance claims processing, and more. Strong computer science skills along with healthcare or life sciences knowledge is ideal. With technology playing a greater role in healthcare, the number of positions for qualified health IT specialists is expected to swell over the next decade.
The healthcare sector has promising non-clinical career avenues in administration, writing, sales, research and IT. Whether you enjoy managing operational details, communicating medical information, liaising between pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals, coordinating clinical trials, or streamlining technological processes, exploring one of these fields can provide an engaging and financially rewarding career at the cutting edge of healthcare.
