The news is filled with reports of layoffs and downsizings, but one area with solid job prospects is health care.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a doctor or nurse — there are plenty of good jobs available for which you need no more than a year or two of training. This training is affordable at local community colleges, though not all schools have all programs.
One-year programs last either two semesters, or two semesters plus a summer session.
Graduates generally get certificates but may need additional state licensing. Jobs you can get after a one-year program include medical assistant (the person who weighs you and takes your history at the doctor’s office), surgical technician or addiction counselor. You can also train for office jobs like health unit coordinator or coding and billing specialist.
Most two-year programs lead to an associate’s degree (so they may require non-medical courses) and will also require state licensing. Jobs that require two years’ training include radiology technician, dental hygienist, respiratory therapist and EMT/paramedic.
Most of these programs generally involve about half classroom work and half clinical experience.
“When they’re ready, students participate in externships at local hospitals to gain the skills and confidence needed to work with patients,” explains Sharvette Philmon, assistant dean of Allied Health and Nursing at Delaware Community College.
