The healthcare field can provide a dynamic career where they can make a lasting impact. However, the reality is that not everyone wants to be exposed to the blood and bodily fluids involved in many clinical positions.
Fortunately, there are jobs in the medical field that don’t deal with blood. This guide outlines the possible career opportunities in healthcare that are more ideal for those who may be a bit squeamish.
Exploring Medical Jobs That Don’t Deal With Blood
In clinical positions, medical professionals are bound to see a bit of blood on a daily basis — but that’s not for everyone. If you are interested in the medical field but would rather not deal with the blood, then you may want to explore non-clinical positions where you aren’t caring for patients directly.
According to Indeed, there are numerous different types of jobs in the medical field that don’t deal with blood, allowing you to consider career opportunities that give you a chance to explore your interests without being saddled with responsibilities that make you uncomfortable.
Why Choose a Career in Non-Blood Medical Fields?
As the healthcare field continues to change and evolve to meet the dynamic needs of patients, there should be ample opportunities for up-and-coming professionals to begin their careers. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the healthcare field is expected to grow at a much faster rate than average, with more than 1.9 million job openings expected each year between 2023 and 2033.
Some of the benefits of pursuing a non-blood career in the medical field include:
- These positions have a positive job outlook. For instance, the BLS notes that the medical assistant field is expected to grow by 15% between 2023 and 2033.
- Non-blood medical jobs often have a flexible schedule, allowing you to pursue a position that lets you balance your career along with personal obligations.
Overview of Non-Blood Medical Careers
Non-blood medical jobs may be based out of clinical settings, but for the most part, you won’t be working directly with patients. In the event that you do work with patients, it would likely be in a lab setting, where you are running diagnostics or completing a technical exam. These career opportunities offer the same rewards and excitement as other medical positions, but they do not require you to deal with blood and other bodily fluids that may make you uneasy. There is a vast range of medical jobs that don’t deal with blood, so you can pursue a position that aligns with your personal interests and professional skills.
Top Non-Blood Medical Field Jobs
Working in the medical field without dealing with blood and bodily fluids is possible; you just need to know which jobs to look for. The top non-blood medical field jobs offer the same rewarding experience as other healthcare positions, allowing you to work in a stimulating environment in which you have a direct impact on the patients you serve but with the comfortable boundaries and responsibilities you prefer.
These are two of the top non-blood medical fields to consider:
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Medical records professionals, including billing and coding specialists, are responsible for maintaining patient files and accurately coding services in order to submit to the insurance provider for billing. Medical billing and coding specialists may be exposed to clinical settings but tend to work in administrative offices, keeping them separate from the patients who are receiving treatment.
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administrators are medical professionals who oversee the operations at an individual healthcare facility. As the healthcare landscape evolves, there is heightened demand for qualified healthcare administrators, and the BLS predicts that the field will grow by about 29% between 2023 and 2033. Healthcare administrators have a direct impact on patient outcomes, as they are charged with streamlining processes at the facility, improving overall efficiency, and reducing healthcare costs. However, they do not have to provide patients with direct treatment and bedside care, making this one of the most popular jobs in the medical field that doesn’t deal with blood. H2: The Role of Medical Assistants in Non-Clinical Settings
Medical assistants can often find work in non-clinical settings, as their skills are versatile and applicable in a wide range of healthcare facilities. According to the American Academy of Physician Associates, a few of the most common non-clinical settings where medical assistants work include:
- Legal offices – Medical assistants can provide advice and guidance about medical evidence and procedures within the legal setting. They can rely on their wealth of industry knowledge to interpret and translate medical jargon as well as ensure that the legal team understands the medical evidence within the appropriate context.
- Insurance offices – Medical assistants may find work at insurance offices, often working to review patient charts that are submitted and developing reimbursement protocols for the insurance provider.
- Medical communications – Medical assistants may seek professional opportunities at communications or marketing firms, particularly those that have clients in the healthcare industry. They are able to utilize their advanced industry knowledge to effectively communicate complex information to the press and the public.
Job Responsibilities and Work Environment
The job responsibilities of a medical assistant will vary significantly based on where they work, especially if they are employed in a non-clinical setting. According to the BLS, more than 56% of medical assistants work in physician’s offices, but many of them are responsible for administrative tasks. Generally speaking, medical assistants work in an office environment, though they may be on their feet throughout the day as they interact with patients. It’s worth noting, however, that most medical assistants do not provide patients with direct care.
Some of the job responsibilities of medical assistants include:
- Recording the medical history of patients.
- Recording symptoms that the patient may be experiencing.
- Scheduling patient appointments.
- Updating patient records.
- Maintaining the office supply inventory.
- Preparation with diagnostic procedures (such as an ultrasound or X-ray).
- Coding and billing medical records.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
If you are interested in working as a medical assistant in a non-clinical setting, you will want to consider a postsecondary degree or diploma program — such as a medical assistant technician diploma program. In addition to requiring candidates to have a relevant postsecondary degree or diploma, most medical assistant positions require individuals to have the following skills:
- Analytical skills – Medical assistants frequently work with patient healthcare data, and they must be able to accurately interpret medical charts and patient records.
- Interpersonal skills – While medical assistants do not necessarily have to provide patients with direct care, they are often welcoming them to the office, scheduling them for appointments, or providing them with follow-up information. Empathy and compassion are necessary for this role.
- Technical and practical skills – Medical assistants must make an effort to develop the technical and practical skills needed to work in a clinical setting. They should be familiar with the latest healthcare technology and best practices for working in the medical field.
Educational Pathways for Non-Blood Medical Careers
Before you can begin applying for open positions and pursuing a non-blood medical career, you should invest in your education. Depending on the job you wish to pursue, you may need to earn a postsecondary diploma, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. In some cases, you may be able to specialize in a niche area of the medical field by completing a certificate program. Knowing the various educational pathways for non-blood medical careers can help you select the diploma program or degree program that best aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Certificate Programs and Associate Degrees
Certificate programs and associate degrees can prepare you for entry-level positions in the medical field. Some non-blood medical jobs that require a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree include:
- Medical Office Administrator – A medical office administrator can pursue entry-level positions after completing a diploma program in medical assisting or office administration, focusing on administrative tasks like scheduling and patient records management.
- Medical assistant – A medical assistant can begin pursuing entry-level positions after earning a certificate or diploma program (like a medical assistant technician diploma program).
- Patient Services Coordinator – A patient services coordinator can pursue an entry-level position with a diploma in medical assisting or a related program, focusing on patient communication, appointment management, and supporting administrative duties in a healthcare environment.
- Medical Receptionist – A medical receptionist can start working in a healthcare setting after completing a diploma or certificate program in medical assisting, which prepares them for tasks such as patient intake, appointment scheduling, and communication.
Bachelor’s Degrees and Beyond
While most medical jobs that don’t deal with blood require a postsecondary diploma or associate degree to pursue entry-level positions in the field, you may be able to advance your career by earning a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s can build upon your existing foundation in the medical field and allow you to develop an advanced skill set that may be required for career mobility.
In addition to pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree, you may even consider master’s degree or doctoral degree programs, depending on your goals.
Certification and Licensing
Certification and licensing play a vital role in the medical field, even for positions in which professionals do not directly care for patients. Through certification and licensing, healthcare facilities are able to ensure that they are hiring qualified candidates who have the skills needed to safely and effectively fulfill the responsibilities of their positions.
Certification and licensing requirements will vary based on the state in which the medical professional intends to practice and the position they are pursuing. It is important to research certification and licensing requirements ahead of time so you can select a diploma program or degree program that will prepare you to meet those requirements.
Importance of Certification in Non-Blood Medical Fields
According to the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, certification is critical within the medical field, even for non-blood medical jobs. This is because:
- Certification requirements establish benchmarks that all professionals must meet, providing standards of excellence within the medical field and improving patient safety and outcomes.
- Certification programs allow healthcare professionals to develop specialized skills that are relevant within a niche industry.
The certification programs and requirements may vary based on the position, and some medical professionals may choose to pursue optional certification programs in order to set themselves apart from other candidates in a crowded job market.
How to Obtain Certification
You can obtain certification in niche areas of the medical industry in a variety of ways. In most cases, a certifying body will offer a certification course or program that requires you to complete relevant coursework to develop the skills needed for that particular certification program. Other times, you may be required to take a comprehensive exam after the certification program is complete to verify that you have developed the knowledge and skills needed for that specific certification.
Career Advancement Opportunities
The healthcare industry is one of the largest and most influential industries in the economy — which nearly guarantees that there will be opportunities for professionals at all levels. While you may not want to care for patients and handle bodily fluids, you will find plenty of opportunities for career advancement within this dynamic field.
Generally, as long as you prioritize your professional development and continually look for ways to grow on both a personal and professional level, you will be able to continue moving up in your career. Another way to advance your career in the medical field is to specialize in a niche area, which gives you access to a targeted range of job opportunities that other generalized professionals do not have. Creating both short-term and long-term goals will help you focus on career advancement in jobs in the medical field that don’t deal with blood.
Continuing Education and Specialization
Continuing education and specialization are crucial to career advancement, particularly in the medical field. Even if you are working in a non-clinical role where you do not directly treat patients, you will need to improve your skill set and knowledge over time.
Currently, the healthcare industry is evolving rapidly, and technological advancements will continue to change the landscape. Staying abreast of the latest trends in healthcare and becoming proficient in the most recent healthcare technology allows you to continue pursuing higher-level positions in your niche sector of the medical field. Opportunities for continuing education and specialization may include professional development programs, certification programs, and specialization courses as well as undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Networking and Professional Organizations
In order to uncover job opportunities within your chosen sector, actively work on building your professional network. As a non-clinical medical professional, joining professional organizations allows you to connect with other like-minded professionals in your industry. These organizations allow you to take advantage of professional development training programs, industry conferences, and mentorship programs.
Some of the leading professional organizations for non-blood medical field jobs include:
- The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- The National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), which is highly recognized for its certifications in medical billing and coding.”
These organizations are designed to provide medical professionals at all levels with an opportunity to connect with one another and gain insight from valuable, industry-specific resources that can help advance their careers.
Interested in Medical Jobs That Don’t Deal With Blood? Discover the Possibilities at Florida Technical College
The medical field is full of career opportunities — including medical jobs that don’t deal with blood. At Florida Technical College, our medical billing and coding diploma program equips you with the skills needed to pursue opportunities as a medical assistant technician. Request more information about this skills-based online diploma program today.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
Sources
https://ftccollege.edu/program/diploma/medical-assistant-technician-diploma/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/medical-careers-without-blood
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/why-work-in-healthcare
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2017/05/outside-the-clinic/
