Many people dream of helping others, of becoming caregivers, of making a difference in medicine. At the same time, however, many people also cannot stand the sight of blood! If you aspire to become a healthcare professional but are somewhat squeamish when it comes to blood and gore, rest assured that a medical career is not out of the question. There are many rewarding positions in healthcare that go beyond surgeries and wound care.

As a leading healthcare school in Connecticut, Goodwin University prepares students for a variety of roles in health and medicine. Some of these roles involve direct patient care, in which graduates help others heal from illness and injury. Other career paths involve more “behind-the-scenes” work, ensuring medical offices and the greater healthcare system runs smooth. All of these roles are equally important, yet not all involve the stuff that’s hard-to-see. Below are five of the top medical career options that don’t involve blood.

1. Occupational Therapy Assistant (Associate Degree)

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) play an essential role in the healthcare system. In fact, they are among the most in-demand jobs today. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of Occupational Therapy Assistants to grow 32 percent in the next decade (eight times as fast as the average occupation). If you are seeking an in-demand medical career without blood, becoming an OTA may be your answer.

OTAs are responsible for helping patients develop and recover the skills needed for daily living. For example, they may work with children who have developmental disabilities, and need help honing their fine motor skills. Or, they may work with adults who have previously suffered injuries, and need to re-learn skills like walking, dressing, writing, and more. For this reason, an OTA career rarely involves blood.

2. Respiratory Therapist (Associate Degree)

Another clinical role that does not deal with blood often is a Respiratory Therapist (RT). Respiratory Therapists, similar to OTAs, are in high demand with employment expected to grow 19 percent by the year 2029. If you desire a thriving, direct patient care role, this is another great option for you.

Respiratory Therapists work with patients who have trouble breathing, such as those battling chronic respiratory conditions like emphysema, those suffering from an emergency like drowning, or even premature babies with underdeveloped lungs. While Respiratory Therapists work with patients suffering from disease or an emergency, they rarely work with blood. Rather, they can be found conducting patient exams, performing diagnostic tests (such as measuring lung capacity), administering medications, and counseling patients’ families about treatment and equipment. You can learn more about common Respiratory Therapist duties here.

3. Administrative Medical Assistant (Certificate or Associate Degree)

Medical Assistants help medical offices and care facilities run smoothly by ensuring inventory is stocked, paperwork is filled out, and patients have a comfortable visit. In general, there are two types of Medical Assistants – Clinical and Administrative. While a Clinical Medical Assistant can be found taking patient vitals and collecting samples, an Administrative Medical Assistant does not have to deal with blood at all. Rather, they handle the secretarial and behind-the-scenes work of the facility. You can find an Administrative MA carrying out day-to-day duties such as scheduling patient appointments, completing patient reports, filing medical records, answering telephones, greeting patients and visitors, and handling bookkeeping tasks.

4. Medical Biller and Coder (Certificate)

If you prefer a non-clinical, non-patient care role, a job as a Medical Biller and Coder may be for you. Medical Billers and Coders are essential to the greater healthcare system in that they organize essential patient information and health data, and translate it in a way that modern systems can understand.

Today, the healthcare field relies on electronic systems to file and store medical records. Medical Billers and Coders are responsible for taking patients’ medical histories – along with notes from their medical visits, lab results, and other documentation – and enciphering it all into a universal, alpha-numeric code. This code can then be inputted into the systems so that insurance claims can be filed, healthcare providers can be reimbursed, and clinicians can all stay up-to-date on the patients’ treatment.

5. Healthcare Administrator (Bachelor’s Degree or Higher)

Another important, “behind-the-scenes” profession is healthcare administration. For those who possess leadership skills, a manager’s mindset, and a passion for the health sciences, this is an excellent path to pursue. In general, healthcare administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of a healthcare facility. Rather than working closely with sick and injured patients, they oversee healthcare providers. They may run a specific department, manage a group of physicians, or operate an entire facility. On a daily basis, healthcare administrators can be found:

• Managing the finances and budget for the department/facility
• Developing business goals and strategies to achieve them
• Maintaining and organizing records
• Ensuring compliance across the organization
• Training and supervising staff members
• Creating work schedules for their department or practice
• Ensuring their staff provides high quality patient care services

As you can imagine, there are several types of healthcare administrators, and their duties vary depending on their place of work. Due to the level of responsibility in this non-clinical medical career, becoming a healthcare administrator typically requires a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Whether you are squeamish or simply desire a non-clinical medical career, the five positions above all offer a successful (and blood-free!) path towards a career in medicine. Healthcare careers are some of the most rewarding out there – with high salary potential, growth potential, and great personal reward. Don’t let an uneasy stomach hold you back from finding a medical career you love, without the blood.

The best part? All of these careers can be achieved through Goodwin University, with just a few months or years of education. To learn about the healthcare degrees available at Goodwin, please visit us online or call 800-889-3282 to speak with our admissions team.