Career Paths in Healthcare

Healthcare is a great field of study leading to an even better career. With great pay, even during tough economic times, opportunities in the healthcare field are plentiful. There are several different career paths you can take with varying education tracks, yearly salaries, and advancing options. Individuals can begin their career at any level within the field and move up or step over to a new career, while staying within healthcare.

Whether you are an individual in another profession looking to make a change or an individual selecting your career path in college, the opportunities and options in healthcare are virtually unlimited! The videos below, produced with support from the Department of Education and SC ETV, showcase the tremendous variety of roles in SC hospitals.

Produced by SC ETV’s Mark Adams in partnership with SCHA, this documentary takes a deep dive into the various career paths available in the medical field right here in South Carolina, with a focus on in-demand jobs that require just a few semesters (or less) of technical education! Learn more about these efforts at https://www.scetv.org/watch/hisforhiring.

A respiratory therapist is a certified medical professional who specializes in pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people suffering from pulmonary disease. RT’s consult with patients to develop a treatment plan and perform various diagnostic tests.

Medical records and health information technicians, commonly referred to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data. They ensure that the information maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security.

Pharmacists like Lexington Medical Center's Jean Goette are healthcare professionals who play a vital role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications. In addition to dispensing medications, they counsel patients are their medication use, manage drug therapy, and provide other health services. Pharmacists can work in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and research institutions. Their work is essential in maintaining patient safety and promoting optimal health outcomes.

Serves as an advanced practice nurse that provides the primary level of care in collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care team to a specific patient population in the outpatient and/or the inpatient setting. Maintains an advanced knowledge base and skills in health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, physical and psychosocial assessment, and management of health and illness in the health care of individuals. Bachelor's degree and RN certification required, Master's degree required, and three years experience.

Engineering Managers oversee the maintenance, safety, and efficiency of a hospital's medical equipment. This role involves managing a team of biomedical engineers and technicians, ensuring regulatory compliance, handling equipment procurement and budgets, and collaborating with other hospital staff to optimize technology use.

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Performs a variety of duties in an operating room to assist the surgical team before, during and after surgical intervention including arranging sterile set up for operation, acting as scrub or circulating assistant and assisting in clean up after the surgery.

A Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct patient care by assessing health, administering medications and treatments, and educating patients and families. RNs work in collaboration with doctors and other healthcare professionals, meticulously documenting patient care, monitoring for changes in health, and managing medical records.

Under supervision of a pharmacist, fills unit dose orders and maintains records of patient's use as well as more complex duties as provided by certification. Assists in sterilization of injectable preparation, storing of substances under proper conditions of refrigeration and security, pouring liquid into containers or spooning salves into containers. May serve as resource to and help with training for non-certified pharmacy technicians. Requires valid Pharmacy Technician license.

The technological advancement of diagnostic sonography has been incredibly beneficial for the medical field. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use sound waves at high frequencies to produce high-resolution images so physicians can clearly see muscles, internal organs, and joints, providing more accuracy when determining a patient's condition and course of treatment. One of the more popular uses of this technology is obstetric sonography, which allows doctors, along with expectant parents, to see the fetus as it develops and to monitor for abnormalities or health complications in the developing child.

Physician’s assistants serve as an advanced practice nurse that provides the primary level of care in collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care team to a specific patient population in the outpatient and/or the inpatient setting. Bachelor's degree and RN certification required, Master's degree and three years experience required.

Responsible for carrying out patient care in accordance with physicians' orders under the guidance and direction of the registered nurse in charge. For home services, may travel to patient home to render services. Graduate of practical nursing program and licensed by the state.

Hospital Supply Chain Logistics professionals manage medical supply flow by overseeing inventory, procurement, and logistics. They ensure timely delivery, optimize storage, and prepare for emergencies. Their role supports efficient operations, regulatory compliance, and enhances patient care by ensuring essential supplies are readily available.

Emergency Medical Technician, a healthcare professional who provides basic emergency medical care and transportation for patients with illnesses or injuries. EMTs are trained to assess patients, perform life-saving interventions like CPR and wound care, administer certain medications, and transport patients to the appropriate healthcare facility. Key skills include patient assessment, bleeding control, and stabilization of injuries, and they work in settings like ambulances and fire departments. 

Evaluates task performance skills, plans and implements programs designed to restore the patient's abilities. Provides consultation to physicians and others regarding appropriateness of referral to occupational therapy, documents patient treatment and progress for third party payors, educates the patient and others regarding occupational therapy treatment procedures, supervises assistants, aides and volunteers and participates in various projects and committees. For home services, may travel to patient home to render services. Must be certified and registered by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Case Manager assesses patient's psycho-social needs and develops and implements treatment plans. They also provide other professional social services to patients and families. Master's degree and state clinical license and two years’ experience required.