38 Jobs in the Medical Field: From Practitioners to Support Staff

Key takeaways

• Due to increasing health needs across the United States, the medical field is one of the fastest-growing industries, with careers encompassing a wide range of responsibilities.

• Whether you're interested in patient care or supporting patient care in an administrative capacity, there are numerous possibilities to explore.

• As you consider different opportunities, learn about the types of medical jobs available by area.

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Types of medical jobs

The medical industry requires a diverse range of professionals, from those who work directly with patients to those who work in laboratories, to those who ensure everything runs smoothly. Let's review some of the different available job areas by type.

• Administrative medical jobs involve medical professionals managing the business aspects of a health care facility or organization. These roles can include hospital administrators, office managers, and billing specialists.

• Diagnostic and treatment medical jobs involve examining, diagnosing, and treating patients in a clinical setting. These specialized roles are typically performed by highly educated health care professionals who have completed training to practice medicine. Examples are physicians, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, and pediatricians.

• Health care and medical education jobs involve a variety of roles and responsibilities, such as teaching, research, and management. It’s a broad area that describes work that educates people about health and wellness. This includes teaching patients self-care, helping them make informed decisions about their treatment options, and explaining the science behind treatments and medications.  As a health care education professional, you may also be involved in research activities, such as clinical trials or medical studies. Health care education jobs are in hospitals, schools, government agencies, universities, clinics, businesses, and nonprofits. Examples include health educators, health counselors, dietary managers, and community outreach coordinators. 

• Rehabilitation therapy medical jobs involve helping patients recover from injuries or illnesses. Rehabilitation therapists work with patients who have suffered from a chronic or acute disease or have experienced an injury. You would help patients overcome physical and mental hurdles throughout their recovery.  The role of rehabilitation therapists involves assessing the patient's needs and helping them cope with the impact of their condition. As a therapist, you will also help them reach their maximum potential in function, mobility, strength, and independence. Professionals in this field include physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. 

• Support medical jobs are roles in which medical professionals provide non-clinical support services to patients and families. These positions include certified nurse assistants, dieticians, and home health aides.

• Affiliated medical jobs are not typically associated with the traditional medical profession. These jobs include medical assistants, social workers, biostatisticians, and sports trainers. Many of these positions require training in science or social sciences. Requirements often include a bachelor’s or associate degree, although some roles may require a PhD.

32 careers in the medical field

The medical industry offers many types of medical jobs for you to choose from. Whether you enjoy working with people or animals, the elderly or children, in a patient-facing role or a research position, you’ll find a wide spectrum of jobs available for various personality types within the medical field.

Administrative professionals

• Medical coders review patient medical records and assign standardized codes for diagnoses, procedures, and equipment to ensure accurate billing and insurance reimbursement for health care services.

• Medical records clerks organize and maintain patient medical records. 

• Medical receptionists are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and answering phones in a medical office.

• Medical transcriptionists work alongside physicians in medical environments, documenting the physicians’ notes into the patient’s medical record electronically.

Health care management

• Health administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the delivery of health care services.

• Medical directors are responsible for the overall management of a medical facility.

Health support services

• Patient navigators guide patients through the complexity of the health care system, helping them overcome barriers to care by coordinating appointments, explaining medical information, and connecting them with resources.

• Medical social workers assist patients and their families in understanding, processing, and navigating a diagnosis.

Medical support staff

• Dietary aides work in food service settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes, and assist in preparing and serving meals. 

• Home health aides provide basic care and assistance to individuals who are unable to care for themselves, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. 

• Patient care technicians work in hospitals and other health care facilities, providing basic patient care, such as taking vital signs and assisting with activities of daily living. 

• Veterinary assistants work in animal hospitals and clinics, assisting veterinarians with examinations, surgeries, and other procedures. 

• Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of doctors and other health professionals.

Medical sales and marketing

• Medical sales reps promote and sell pharmaceutical products, medical devices, or equipment to health care professionals and facilities.

• Medical science liaisons bridge the gap between pharmaceutical companies and health care professionals by providing in-depth product information, answering complex scientific questions, and facilitating research collaborations.

• Health care marketing managers develop and implement marketing strategies for medical products, services, or facilities, creating campaigns that effectively communicate the benefits to target audiences while adhering to strict health care regulations and ethical guidelines.

Nursing

• Nursing assistants provide basic nursing care to patients in hospitals and nursing homes. 

• Certified nursing assistants have completed a training program and must pass a certification exam. They provide basic nursing care to patients in hospitals and nursing homes under the supervision of a registered nurse. 

• Licensed practical nurses provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses or doctors.

• Neonatal nurses care for newborn infants in the hospital setting.

• Registered nurses provide direct patient care and coordinate the activities of other health care team members.

• Directors of nursing oversee the care of patients in a health care setting.

Allied health professionals

• Athletic trainers work with athletes to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries.

• Nutritionists develop eating plans and advise people on how to improve their diet and nutrition habits.

• Physical therapists help patients regain movement and function after an injury or illness.

• Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing impairments.

• Occupational therapists help patients regain independence and improve their quality of life after an injury or illness.

Medical diagnostics

• Ultrasound technicians use sound waves to create images of internal organs and tissues for diagnosis or treatment purposes.

• Radiologic technologists operate medical imaging equipment, such as X-ray machines, CT scanners, and MRI machines.

Mental health professionals

• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) provide mental health services, including psychotherapy and counseling, to individuals, families, and groups.

• Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders, using a combination of psychotherapy, medication management, and other interventions.

Practitioners

• Veterinarians provide medical care for animals.

• Pharmacists dispense medications and advise patients on the proper use of drugs.

• Pediatricians provide medical care for children from birth to adolescence.

• Dentists prevent, diagnose, and treat problems with teeth and gums.

• Physicians are medical doctors who diagnose and treat patients.

• Surgeons are medical doctors who perform surgery.

• Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in anesthesia.

Many of the higher-paying jobs in health care involve being a practitioner. That's because these roles often require advanced education, such as earning a professional degree.

Why choose a job in the medical field?

Among the many reasons to work in the medical field is the satisfaction of helping others. Medical professionals also enjoy a great deal of job satisfaction. Not only will your work make a difference in the lives of others, but you'll also work alongside a team of highly-trained colleagues and possess a flexible work schedule. Some other benefits of a job in the medical field include:

• Job security: Medical jobs are in high demand, so many careers in this field will offer strong job security for the foreseeable future.

• Professional growth opportunities: The medical field is continually evolving, offering numerous career advancement opportunities. You can also specialize in a particular area of medicine to further focus your career.

• High pay: Many medical positions offer a salary that is higher than average. While those requiring many years of medical training, such as physicians, pharmacists, or nurse practitioners, tend to pay the most, many entry-level positions also pay quite well.

Read more: Is Health Care a Good Career Path? Outlook, Jobs, and More

What is the outlook for careers in the medical field?

The medical field is one of the fastest-growing industries in the US. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate in the medical field is expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate from 2023 to 2033, with approximately 1.9 million new jobs added each year [1]. This growth can be attributed to an aging population and advances in medical technology.

How to choose a career in the medical field

To choose from among the many different careers in the medical field, think about what motivates you, your personality, and your existing skill set. Consider the following questions you can ask:

• Do I want to work with patients? 

• Would I prefer to work behind the scenes?

• Do I want to work in a technical or people-focused position?

• Am I willing to commit to a long educational path? 

• Am I looking to get working quickly?

Next, consider your lifestyle and how you want your job to look. Certain jobs may not be for you if you don’t want to work weekends. The following are some questions to think about.

• Do I want a career that will allow me to have a flexible schedule? 

• Will I be comfortable working shift patterns and nights?

• Would I prefer a nine-to-five job? 

Finally, think about your future goals. 

• Do I want to advance my career and achieve the highest possible level? 

• Do I want to settle in the same position for a long time? 

Consider your goals and choose a medical career to achieve them—research what you’ll need to reach your career destination. 

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