When people consider a career in healthcare, they often believe that it’s going to take years of post-secondary education and many thousands of dollars to complete. But that is not always the case; there are numerous, well-paying careers in healthcare fields with affordable training provided by community colleges in just two-to-three years. The most important benefit is that these degrees and certifications are usually much more affordable than degrees from four-year colleges. For ease of attendance, many offer online or hybrid programs, and job placement is more likely since community college health industry degrees often include clinical experience as part of the programs.
Community colleges offer a variety of health-related degrees, including associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Associate degrees are the most popular type of health-related degree, accounting for 60% of all health-related degrees.
There are over 1,100 community colleges in the United States, and approximately 12.4 million students attend community college each year. The most popular health-related programs at community colleges are nursing and allied health which typically lead to transfer and further study at four-year colleges. However, community college health industry degrees can lead to careers such as:
– Registered Nurse (RN)
– Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
– Medical Assistant
– Patient Care Technician
– Phlebotomist
– Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
– Health Information Technician
– Dental Assistant
– Veterinary Technician
– X-ray technician
– Ultrasound technician
…and many more.
Even people interested in alternative, holistic and integrative medical careers can find the training they need at a community college. Associate degrees in the field are offered by many of these institutions across the country, with courses or certificates in aromatherapy, reflexology, wellness coaching, yoga, energy medicine, massage therapy, and so on.
The job prospects for graduates with health industry degrees from community colleges are very good. There are many opportunities for those with these degrees to find employment. There are always many healthcare industry employers who need qualified workers. Consequently, there are many job openings for health industry graduates at community colleges. Some of the most common employers of graduates with health industry degrees from community colleges include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, and public health departments. Other job settings include public health departments, health insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies. Hospitals are the largest employers of health care workers. They typically employ a wide range of health care workers, from doctors and nurses to therapists and technicians. Additionally, many graduates go on to work in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, as well as in government and for nonprofit organizations.
The most common career paths include becoming a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a medical assistant, or a health information technician. Of course, an individual’s specific career path depends on the area of study and degree attained. Whatever your choice of study, it is worth considering attending a community college to achieve — or at least begin to pursue — your educational and career goals in the healthcare industry.
Visit CCSmart.org for more community college insights and resources, including a nationwide directory of community colleges in the USA.