$83,820
($40.30/hr)
Associate's degree
-
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or treatment. They provide technical support to physicians or others who diagnose, care for, and treat patients and to researchers who investigate uses of radioactive drugs. They also may act as emergency responders in the event of a nuclear disaster.
$40,990
($19.71/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. They can administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.
$77,050
($37.04/hr)
Associate's degree
None
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to older adults whose lungs are diseased.
$42,600
($20.48/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients' vital signs. Their duties vary by location, specialty, and employer.
$45,460
($21.86/hr)
Associate's degree
None
Veterinary technologists and technicians, supervised by licensed veterinarians, do medical tests that help diagnose animals' injuries and illnesses.
$39,410
($18.95/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Phlebotomists draw blood for purposes such as tests, research, or donations. They help patients or donors who are anxious before or have an adverse reaction after the blood draw.
$58,710
($28.23/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Surgical Technologists help with surgical operations. Sometimes called operating room technicians, they prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.
$47,840
($23.00/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files. They also may classify and enter patients' medical information into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system.
$45,100
($21.68/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Health Technologists and Technicians perform laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, and can assist physicians with patient care. This category includes all healthcare technologists and technicians not contained somewhere else.
$50,880
($24.46/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Surgical assistants and technologists help with surgical operations. Surgical assistants, also called surgical first assistants, help surgeons with tasks such as making incisions, placing clamps, and closing surgical sites. Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.
$51,110
($24.57/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
$67,150
($32.29/hr)
Associate's degree
None
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients.
$40,530
($19.48/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
$58,050
($27.91/hr)
Associate's degree
None
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians operate special equipment to create images or conduct tests. They work closely with physicians and surgeons, who view the images and test results to assess and diagnose medical conditions.
$61,380
($29.51/hr)
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care to ill, injured, or convalescing patients or to persons with disabilities. Responsibilities for LPNs and LVNs are nearly identical; their title depends on the state in which they work.
$46,050
($22.14/hr)
Bachelor's degree
None
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection, and observation. They also may analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.