Best AA Degrees for Getting a Job in Healthcare

by Alex A. Kecskes

Healthcare is one of the few segments in today’s jobs market that’s still growing. But how can you break in without a bachelor’s or advanced degree? It’s not easy. The competition is stiff, but you can enter the field if you have the right Associate’s Degree. Here are a few to consider:

Surgical Technician Associate Degree. This degree will prepare you to help surgeons and surgical nurses during operating procedures. You’ll learn the specifics about scalpels, sutures, bandages and other “tools” of surgery. It’s important to seek out qualified schools that will provide both classroom and hands on-training in the field.

Respiratory Therapist Associate Degree. This degree will equip you to properly deal with patients who suffer such respiratory illnesses as asthma or emphysema. You’ll be trained in human anatomy, chemistry and pharmacology, and you’ll learn how to help patients manage their breathing rate, breathing medication, as well as other medical treatments.

Radiologic Technologist Associate Degree. In this degree program, you’ll learn about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray machines and various contrast media. You’ll be part of a medical corps that knows how to take images of internal organs to help doctors diagnose illness.

You can break into these fields with an AA degree, but to advance in salary and position, you’ll need to keep up your education with a bachelor’s degree and other certifications. Most junior colleges have programs in these entry-level healthcare fields. There are also many private colleges you can look into, which you can find on the Internet. If you know anyone who is already working in these fields, ask them how they got started and where they went to school.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

If you have any thoughts on entering the healthcare field, feel free to share them in the comments section.