Health Care Careers With an Associate’s Degree

Do you have an associate’s degree or are you considering pursuing one? Discover your options for a career in health care…

Some of the fastest growing careers in health care are ones that an associate’s degree will prepare students for. The benefit of an associate’s degree is that it offers students a quick route to a professional position. More often than not, an associate’s degree program graduate is prepared for a position in their field of study immediately upon graduation, however, by no means will earning an associate’s degree guarantee you a job. Depending on the associate’s degree program, credits can later transfer towards a bachelor’s degree if and when the individual decides to return to school.

Related Associate’s Degree Links…

Finding a job with a high school diploma vs. a two year degree

If you are at all on the fence between earning an associate’s degree or finding a job with your high school diploma or GED, review the annual and lifetime earnings for each and then you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision. The U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Science released data showing that those with a high school diploma earn around $27,960 a year compared to those with an associate’s degree who earn about $36,400 a year. Over a lifetime, someone who does not pursue higher education beyond a GED or high school diploma is projected to earn 1.2 million dollars, whereas someone who has earned an associate’s degree and is projected to earn 1.6 million dollars. That is a significant difference.

Students can complete an associate’s degree in just about two years. The associate’s degree can be found offered at community colleges, vocational schools and technical schools. As of 2011, earning an associate’s degree online has become the most popular option for students according to search and program application data.

What to consider when choosing an educational program

Frequently, those who have earned their associate’s degree will return to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related subject or in a field that they know will help them pursue their career goals. What this means for someone researching associate degree careers and programs is that they will need to make very sure that the credits earned will apply toward a bachelor’s degree program if and when they decide to return to school. This becomes an even more critical consideration for those pursuing an LPN/LVN degree or an associate’s degree in nursing, where each state has registered and practical/vocational nursing licensing and education requirements.

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Health Care Careers for those with an Associate’s Degree

Careers	Health Care Pathway	Certification / Licensure Requirements
Anesthesia Technician / Technologist	Direct Patient Care	Certification is offered through the ASATT. Not required, but recommended by many employers.
Biomedical Equipment Tech	Health Care Facility Support	AAMI offers certification as a CBET, CRES or CLEB for those with an associate’s degree and two years work experience.
Cancer Registrar	Health Informatics	Certification voluntary through their National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).
Cardiovascular Technologist	Imaging and Diagnostics	Certification exams given by CCI and ARDMS (required by most employers).
Clinical Laboratory Technologist	Imaging and Diagnostics	Voluntary certification given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Dental Hygienist	Direct Patient Care	Licensure is required. Exam is given by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Dental Laboratory Technician	Imaging and Diagnostics	First step is recognized graduate status (RG). Certification is voluntary, but required by some employers.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	Imaging and Diagnostics	American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) offers certification (RDMS) to those eligible by passing an exam.
EKG Technician	Imaging & Diagnostics	Certification not required. Cert Exam is often given upon completion of program. (voluntary certification)
EMT / Paramedic	Direct Patient Care	Certification offered by NREMT (5 different levels). Licensure is required (varies by state).
Forensic Nursing	Direct Patient Care	RN license required. Different types of certification available (SANE-A, SANE-P, etc)
Health Information Specialist	Health Informatics (Business)	Voluntary CCA certification from AHIM or, Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification through CAHIIM.
Health Info Tech	Health Informatics (Business)	Voluntary CCA certification from AHIMA or RHIT certification offered by CAHIIM.
Histotechnologist	Imaging & Diagnostics	Voluntary CCA certification from AHIMA or RHIT certification offered by CAHIIM.
Hospital Maintenance Engineer	Health Care Facility Support	Various levels of licensure available dependant upon responsibilities.
Licensed Practical Nurse	Direct Patient Care	Licensure is required
Medical Administrative Asst	Health Informatics (Business)	NHA offers certification as a CMAA, CEHRS, or a CBCS. All are voluntary.
Medical Assistant	Direct Patient Care	Certified Medial Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant exams are given by the AAMA. (not required)
Medical Biller and Coder	Health Informatics (Business)	Three levels of certification offered by the AAPC and the AHIMA. The AMBA also offers certification.
Medical Lab Technician	Imaging & Diagnostics	Voluntary certification is possible through the ASCP. Licensure requirements vary by state.
Medical Office Manager	Health Informatics (Business)	Several certifications are available
Medical Secretary	Health Informatics (Business)	Certification is available though not required.
Medical Transcriptionist	Health Informatics (Business)	Two levels of certification are offered by the AHDI: RMT or CMT. Not required.
MRI Technologist	Imaging & Diagnostics	Voluntary certification is possible through the ASCP. Licensure requirements vary by state.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist	Imaging & Diagnostics	Certification through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) as well as the (ARRT). Not required.
Occupational Therapy Assistant	Direct Patient Care	COTA certification is not required, but may be beneficial. Associate degree from an accredited program is needed for certification.
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant	Direct Patient Care	Voluntary certification is possible through the JJCAHPO. Licensure is not required.
Pharmacy Technician	Direct Patient Care	Certification available but not required.
Phlebotomist	Imaging & Diagnostics	Certification available and often required by employers.
Physical Therapy Assistant	Direct Patient Care	Most states require licensure by passing the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE).
Psychiatric Technician	Direct Patient Care	Psychiatric technicians in most states can be certified through the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians. There are 4 levels of certification
Radiation Therapist	Direct Patient Care	Certification by the AART is voluntary, but often required by employers. Licensure may be required for technologists.
Radiology Technician	Imaging & Diagnostics	Certification by the AART is voluntary, but often required by employers. Licensure may be required depending on the state you are in.
Registered Nurse	Direct Patient Care	Must take and pass the NCLEX-RN certification exam.
Respiratory Therapist	Direct Patient Care	Two types of certification: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
Surgical Technologist	Direct Patient Care	Certification by the AART is voluntary, but recommended. Licensure is required in most states as well.
Veterinary Technician	Direct Patient Care	Licensure or registration is required in most states. Most take the National Veterinary Technician exam.

If you haven’t come across a career that you are looking for, you may be interested in researching additional health care careers that fall under the five health care pathways, many of which require varying levels of education.

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