Last updated on September 24, 2019
Welcome back! We are breaking down the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Jobs of 2019 by industry and discussing which jobs you can get with training from Dallas Community Colleges! We will be covering the Best Health Care Support Jobs this week! Some of these jobs require a bachelor’s (or maybe even a master’s) degree, and some don’t; the requirements can vary by position and even by employer.
1. Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Role: A clinical laboratory technician responsibilities include a number of tasks around the clinic. They perform complex chemical and analytical tests on patient specimens that provide valuable information to doctors to make diagnoses. This job requires the use of laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters.
- Median Annual Wage: $52,230
- Educational Pathway: Clinical laboratory technicians often complete an associate degree program in clinical laboratory science. Medical Laboratory Technology Associate in Applied Science degree.
2. Dental Hygienist
- Role: A dental hygienist performs a variety of tasks in the dental office. They remove tartar, stains and plaque as they brush, floss and scrape. Dental hygienists usually work in dental offices alongside dentists.
- Median Annual Wage: $74,820
- Educational Pathway: Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree, followed by National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional clinical board in order to apply for licensure by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
4. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Role: A diagnostic medical sonographer uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the soft tissue structures of internal organs as requested by physicians to diagnose patients.
- Median Annual Wage: $67,080
- Educational Pathway: Associate in Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, followed by registry examinations offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
7. Home Health Aide
- Role: Home health aides assist patients with tasks they are unable to complete by themselves. These tasks may include anything from household chores to administering basic first aid care or assisting patients with bathing.
- Median Annual Wage: $24,060
- Educational Pathway: Aides at agencies that receive funding from Medicare or Medicaid are required to get a minimum level of training and pass a competency evaluation or receive state certification, such as through a Home Health Care and Hospice Aide program.
8. Medical Assistant
- Role: A medical assistant has several roles in a doctor’s office, including running the front desk, answering phones and filing insurance. Medical assistants also see patients, doing things like drawing blood, administering injections and preparing lab tests.
- Median Annual Wage: $33,610
- Educational Pathway: Medical Assisting certificate, followed by credentialing exams with the American Association of Medical Assistants or the American Medical Technologists.
9. Medical Secretary
- Role: Medical secretaries manage the daily schedule of getting patients through the doctor’s office. They may greet you, work behind the scenes and ensure that medical records are in order.
- Median Annual Wage: $35,870
- Educational Pathway: Training in a Medical Front Office program and/or skills development in Electronic Health Records, Insurance Coding and Billing or a Medical Administrative Assistant/Secretary program will help prepare you.
10. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Role: Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses check vital signs, install catheters, dress wounds, deliver medicine and assist patients in maintaining their hygiene, such as helping with feeding, starting IVs and monitoring medical equipment.
- Median Annual Wage: $46,240
- Educational Pathway: Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program
12. Paramedic
- Role: Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. Paramedics may administer drugs orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations and use monitors and other complex equipment.
- Median Annual Wage: $34,320
- Educational Pathway: Both a high school diploma and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. Most of these programs are non degree award programs that can be completed in less than 1 year; others last up to 2 years. Paramedics, may need an associate degree — Paramedicine Associate in Applied Sciences Degree.
14. MRI Technologist
- Role: MRI technologists operate machines that use a magnetic field and radio waves to create images of patients’ organs, tissues and bones.
- Median Annual Wage: $61,240
- Educational Pathway: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Associate in Applied Science degree, or a Radiologic Sciences Associate in Applied Science degree, followed by completion of the MRI Registry examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for the registered magnetic resonance technologist credential RT (MR)(ARRT).
17. Physical Therapist Aide
- Role: Physical therapist aides support physical therapists and physical therapist assistants by cleaning and sanitizing treatment areas and equipment, washing linens and performing clerical tasks.
- Median Annual Wage: $48,090
- Educational Pathway: Physical therapist aides are usually required to take annual exams, making a Physical Therapy Aide program invaluable to developing and maintaining skills.
19. Veterinary Technologist and Technician
- Role: Veterinary technologists and technicians handle lab work, radiology, nursing care, surgery assistance and dozens of other tasks related to animal health care.
- Median Annual Wage: $34,420
- Educational Pathway: Veterinary technicians usually have a two-year associate degree in a veterinary technology program. the American Veterinary Medical Association. Most states require technologists and technicians to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
22. Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Role: Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover and improve as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living.
- Median Annual Wage: $57,620
- Educational Pathway: Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy, followed by a certification exam through the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy.
23. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Role: Nuclear medicine technologists inject small amounts of radioactive material into patients and then take images of the patients’ bodies to help diagnose or determine the progression of certain diseases or illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease.
- Median Annual Wage: $76,820
- Educational Pathway: Radiologic Sciences Associate in Applied Science degree, followed by completion of the exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and specializing in nuclear medicine on the job.
Don’t see what you are looking for? Let us help…
- Learn more about the nursing and health care degrees and certificates that we offer.
- Ready to get started? Dallas Community Colleges accepts applications through ApplyTexas or you can apply online using the eConnect Application for Credit Admissions.