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The healthcare field is vast. Hospitals operate like small cities with dozens of departments working to make their communities healthier. The opportunities to support patients are equally diverse, from roles that embrace a specialty like nursing to those that are non-patient-facing. Here's a look at both of those types of careers.

Within the healthcare system including hospitals, clinics and physician's offices there are two types of professionals -- those in clinical and non-clinical healthcare careers. The main differences between clinical and non-clinical healthcare careers is that clinical healthcare jobs support patients directly, while their non-clinical counterparts do not. 

Working in healthcare is as rewarding as it is robustly full of diverse opportunities. From clinical roles to administrative ones, there are pathways for a variety of interests and skills.

Anyone who is looking to work daily in hands-on jobs to support patients directly is interested in a clinical career. Clinical roles are involved in the treatment, diagnosis and follow-up of patient care. In the nursing field, this includes RNs and nurse practitioners.

���� is a healthcare professional responsible for providing direct patient care in settings like hospitals and clinics. Their duties include recording patients’ medical histories and symptoms, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and collaborating as part of a team. RNs may also educate patients about health conditions and treatment plans. 

To become an RN, one can pursue a . After completing education, passing the NCLEX-RN and obtaining state licensure is required. Key qualities are compassion, effective communication, emotional stability and physical stamina.

����nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse with an expanded scope of responsibilities in healthcare. NPs often work independently and are authorized to diagnose and treat various medical conditions. Their role includes ordering and performing diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications and managing a patient’s overall well-being.

To become a nurse practitioner, individuals need to complete at least a master’s degree program designed for advanced practice nursing. Such programs include clinical experience and prepare students for certification in their chosen specialty. NPs play a crucial role in providing primary and specialized care and, amid a primary care shortage in the U.S., provide needed access to healthcare services.

Professionals in non-clinical healthcare careers don’t typically work with patients directly or diagnosis or provide treatment. These professionals are still essential to healthcare. They often keep hospitals and clinics running so those in clinical positions can focus on patients.

Here are a few examples of non-clinical healthcare careers.

Healthcare managers are also known as health services managers. They directly manage hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They are often in charge of handling the budget, managing staffing needs and training programs, creating work schedules and organizing facility records. They are required to set and carry out policies and procedures within their workplace.

To , one typically needs a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In some cases, an employer may hire someone with an associate degree for this role.

Health information technicians securely collect and process patient data. This can range from tracking patient health records to securing data from a clinical trial. Professionals in this space might also work with billing services or with researchers to track trends.

To become a health information technician, one needs at least a high school diploma or GED. However, some employers hire people with an accredited associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field. Many seek certification by taking the Registered Health Information Technician .����

Modern hospitals run through a series of codes. Every treatment and medication is assigned a universal code so doctors can track a patient’s journey. Medical coders document the codes and ensure patients are billed accurately. These positions require immense attention to detail; otherwise, patients might get billed for treatment they didn’t have or have medications they didn’t receive.

To become a medical coder, one needs at least need a high school diploma or GED. A degree in a related field from a college or university is not necessarily required, but some employers prefer it. From there, students can complete a certificate program or pursue a four-year degree.

If you’re interested in non-clinical healthcare careers but need certificate and degree programs that offer flexible scheduling and fixed tuition, consider programs at ������Ƶ. Here are just a few to consider:

• Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Health Management
• Master of Health Administration/Master of Business Administration
• Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Leadership

Contact ������Ƶ for more information.