If you are interested in a career helping others improve their mental health and overall well-being, you need to understand the types of schooling needed to work in healthcare. Having a firm grasp on your education goals is essential for gaining the necessary hard skills for treating patients, reading medical charts, and understanding HIPAA rules and regulations.
Behavioral Health Jobs supports job seekers who want to build a career in the healthcare industry. This industry is currently one of the fastest-growing job markets, with some healthcare professions seeing an 18-20% increase in the number of jobs by 2030. Employers are actively searching for qualified candidates with the right healthcare schooling and passion for helping others.
To find healthcare jobs in your area, check out all of the available jobs on the Behavioral Health Jobs website today.
What Level of Schooling is Needed to Work in Healthcare?
Education is key to learning new healthcare technologies and procedures. Without a basic understanding of medical terminology and equipment, you cannot provide adequate medical care and will have a hard time finding a job in a healthcare facility.
Besides a high school diploma or GED, anyone interested in treating patients and developing new treatment methods will need a minimum of a four-year post-secondary degree along with advanced certifications within a specific area of practice. You can obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree as well as earn a doctorate or PhD in your chosen field.
To further your education and advance to more senior-level positions, you will need certifications in your area of expertise. You can earn a certification after completing a four-year degree and have 1-2 years of work experience.
To get a better understanding of the school needed for healthcare, talk with a college counselor about your career goals and which degree type is best for you. When you are ready to begin a new career search and put your skills to good use, check out our job board at Behavioral Health Jobs.
Degree Types and Certifications for Healthcare Jobs
Here is a breakdown of the types of degrees and certifications that are available to healthcare workers:
Administrative Positions
Administrative roles require the least amount of education, and some positions only require a high school diploma or GED to qualify for entry-level roles. You will need a college degree if you wish to advance to more senior-level administrator roles. The types of degrees for administrative positions include:
- Medical Billing
- Health Administration
- Health Informatics
- Business Administration
- Health Sciences
Those who wish to become a manager or run a private facility will want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in healthcare management.
Medical Technicians
Students interested in having a more hands-on approach with their patients can focus their healthcare schooling on degrees that focus on practical care, such as physical therapy, administering vitals, and reading medical charts. The types of degrees available for medical technicians include:
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Medical Informatics
- Public Health
- Healthcare Administration
- Biomedical Engineering
Medical technicians can earn an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and then apply for certifications in specific areas to increase their knowledge and advancement potential.
Clinicians
Those who wish to develop new treatment plans, diagnose mental health disorders, and have a major impact on improving people’s mental health fall into this category. You will first need to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in one of the above fields before working on your Master’s in:
- Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Social Work
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Clinical or School Psychology
After receiving your Master’s degree, you can continue your education with a Doctorate in psychology or neuroscience.
Once you have your degree and a few years of real-world experience, you can obtain certifications that indicate specialized training. The top healthcare certifications you can apply for include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Basic Life Support (BLS), Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Find New Health Care Jobs at Behavioral Health Jobs
Behavioral Health Jobs is the best place for new and experienced healthcare workers to find a new job caring for patients or managing a treatment facility. If you are still thinking about which area to specialize in, the type of schooling needed to work in healthcare will depend on your career goals. Talk with a school counselor to help you plan your education path.
Check out our resource page on the Behavioral Health Jobs website for more advice and tips on building a career in healthcare.
