13 Jobs You Can Pursue with an Associate Degree in Healthcare (or Less)

Some people assume they need an advanced degree to work in healthcare. The truth is that you don’t. If you’re interested in pursuing an entry-level position in this field, you can get a healthcare education to prepare for many roles in 1-2 years or less.

Here we share 13 jobs that generally don’t require a 4-year degree, so you can enter them with a diploma or associate degree in healthcare. We also provide information about how Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) can help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform the required duties.

1. Dental Assistant

Dental assistants can help prepare patients for treatment, take X-rays, aid dentists during procedures, and educate patients on preventative tooth and gum care. Responsibilities may also include administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, record keeping, billing, and insurance processing.

Some states have no formal education requirements for dental assistants, while others require that you complete an accredited program — which includes classroom, lab work, and supervised practical experience — and pass an exam before entering this healthcare role.¹ In addition, some employers may have education requirements even if the state does not. The Dental Assistant National Board offers an interactive map to help you discover the requirements in your state.

Here's what you need to know about dental assistant training at UMA:

• 2 Program Options: a Dental Assistant with Expanded Functions Diploma or a Health Sciences – Dental Assistant with Expanded Functions Associate of Science Degree
• Length: 12 months or more (diploma), or 20 months or more (Associate of Science degree)²
• Format: Online instruction with on-campus training and a 240-hour externship

Learn more: What is a Dental Assistant?

2. Health and Human Services Assistant

The health and human services field offers several jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. Workers may help clients secure community resources, provide referrals to relevant healthcare or social service programs, or inform them of policies and processes. You can find health and human service professionals working in social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, or local or state governments.

Some workers get their start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training; however, a certificate or associate degree is becoming more common and may preferred by employers.³ Earning a 2-year degree in health and human services can help demonstrate your qualifications for careers in this important field.

Here’s what you need to know about health and human services training at UMA:

• Program: Health and Human Services Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Length: 18 months or more²
• Format: Online⁴

Learn more: What is Health and Human Services?

3. Health Information Technician

Health information technicians help to make patient data complete, accurate, and secure. These workers require both technical and health information management skills since their duties typically involve entering, retrieving, and analyzing data in electronic healthcare records (EHRs). They also need to know how to correctly code diagnoses, treatments, and procedures in EHRs for billing and insurance reimbursement.

Postsecondary education is generally required for health information technician jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) since these professionals are expected to know relevant medical terminology and codes.⁵ A bachelor’s degree may be needed for some positions, but there are also diploma and associate degree healthcare jobs in this field.

Here’s what you need to know about health information technician training at UMA:

• Program: Health Information Management Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Length: 18 months or more²
• Format: Online instruction and a 90-hour practicum

Learn more: A Day in the Life of a Health Information Technician

4. Other Health Information Management Positions

Individuals intrigued by computers and healthcare can also combine these interests by pursuing other careers in health information management. Options can include patient services representative, medical records specialist, and insurance coordinator. Professionals in these types of roles may be responsible for managing healthcare records, troubleshooting software, and/or providing customer support.

Some employers accept job candidates with an associate degree, while others may require a bachelor’s degree.⁵ In the case of healthcare technology jobs, knowledge of medical records management and related software and applications is important to perform the required duties.

Here’s what you need to know about health information management training at UMA:

• Program: Health Information Management Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Length: 18 months or more²
• Format: Online instruction and a 90-hour practicum

Learn more: What is Health Information Management?

5. Entry-Level Healthcare Management Roles

Healthcare management careers often require a bachelor’s degree to enter.⁶ That said, an associate degree can prepare you for entry-level administrative positions such as medical office assistant, insurance benefits specialist, and medical receptionist.

Workers hired for these roles may be eligible for promotion to more advanced healthcare management positions once they gain the required work experience and education needed for those roles. This can include roles such as medical billing supervisor, medical office supervisor, or front desk supervisor.

Here’s what you need to know about healthcare management training at UMA:

• Program: Healthcare Management Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Length: 18 months or more²
• Format: Online⁴

Learn more: What is Healthcare Management?

6. Medical Administrative Assistant

Medical administrative assistants help healthcare facilities with front desk responsibilities such as scheduling appointments, processing insurance claims, and managing patient records. Individuals in these roles must be familiar with medical diagnosis and procedural codes, electronic health records management, and medical transcription.

The BLS notes that although administrative assistants in other fields often learn on the job, medical administrative assistants may require training in industry-specific technology.⁷ A diploma or associate degree program can provide this knowledge, preparing you for jobs without bachelor's degree requirements.

Here’s what you need to know about medical administrative assistant training at UMA:

• 2 Program Options: a Medical Administrative Assistant Diploma or a Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Length: 11 months or more (diploma), or 18 months or more (Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree)²
• Format: Online⁴

Learn more: What is a Medical Administrative Assistant?

7. Medical Assistant

Many healthcare roles focus solely on administrative or clinical tasks, but medical assistants often have responsibilities for both. Their duties can include administrative functions such as creating and updating health records or scheduling appointments. They might also be responsible for clinical duties like measuring patients’ vital signs, drawing blood, running lab tests, and administering medication.

Postsecondary education is typically required for this role according to the BLS.⁸ This may be in the form of a certificate or associate degree program, with employers often preferring to hire job candidates with more education.

Here’s what you need to know about medical assistant training at UMA:

• 2 Program Options: a Medical Assistant Diploma or a Health Sciences - Medical Assistant Associate Degree
• Length: 15 months or more (diploma), or 21 months or more (Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree)²
• Format: Online instruction with on-campus training and a 220-hour externship

Learn more: What is a Medical Assistant?

8. Medical Biller and Coder

Medical billers and coders translate patients’ health information — including their diagnoses, treatments, and procedures — into standard industry codes. These codes are then used for billing purposes when submitting claims to health insurance providers and other payers.

Understanding how to identify and use the proper codes is important in this role, as is being familiar with medical terminology and healthcare reimbursement practices. Education programs can provide this information, preparing you to perform medical billing and coding duties.

Here’s what you need to know about medical billing and coding training at UMA:

• 2 Program Options: a Medical Billing and Coding Diploma or a Medical Billing and Coding Associate Degree
• Length: 11 months or more (diploma), or 18 months or more (Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree)²
• Format: Online⁴

Learn more: What is Medical Billing and Coding?

9. Medical Office and Billing Specialist

What else can you do with a diploma or associate degree in healthcare? You can become a medical office and billing specialist. These professionals generally perform administrative work or serve in an accounts receivable role in a healthcare setting. Their tasks can range from scheduling appointments and organizing filing systems to processing healthcare claims and preparing financial reports.

Medical office and billing specialists typically need knowledge of billing regulations as well as standard industry codes required for claims processing and reimbursement. Training in industry-specific terminology and practices is also important.⁷

Here’s what you need to know about medical office and billing specialist training at UMA:

• 2 Program Options: a Medical Office and Billing Specialist Diploma or a Health Sciences – Medical Office and Billing Specialist Associate Degree
• Length: 11 months or more (diploma), or 18 months or more (Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree)²
• Format: Online⁴

Learn more: What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist?

10. Nursing Assistant

Nursing assistants support physicians and nurses in providing patient care in a variety of settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities. Their duties can include measuring vital signs (such as temperature and blood pressure), recording patients’ health concerns, and assisting with day-to-day activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing. These professionals are often the primary caregivers for patients, providing comfort and compassionate care.

According to the BLS, requirements can vary by state but nursing assistants must generally complete an approved education program and pass a competency exam.⁹ Also sometimes called nursing aides, you may also see this role referred to as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Here’s what you need to know about nursing assistant training at UMA:

• Program: Nursing Assistant Diploma
• Length: 2 months or more²
• Format: Online instruction with on-campus training and a 45-hour externship

Learn more: What is a Nursing Assistant?

11. Patient Care Technician

Patient care technicians help provide basic patient care. This can include assisting them with mobility (such as moving from a bed to a wheelchair), collecting blood or urine samples, serving as a liaison, or offering support during stressful times.

Patient care techs or PCTs typically need to complete a state-approved education program that includes both instruction and supervised clinical work.⁹ Doing clinical work under supervision helps you develop the skills needed for this role while under the guidance of a trained professional.

Here’s what you need to know about patient care technician training at UMA:

• Program: Patient Care Technician Diploma
• Length: 12 months or more²
• Format: Online instruction with on-campus training and a 180-hour externship

Learn more: What is a Patient Care Technician?

12. Pharmacy Technician

If you’re interested in healthcare jobs with an associate degree, you might consider becoming a pharm tech. Pharmacy technicians’ duties can include calculating dosages and measuring out medications, filling and labeling prescriptions, entering patient and prescription information into databases, processing insurance claims, and monitoring inventory. They work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.

According to the BLS, most states regulate pharmacy techs, which means you must complete a formal education or training program and pass an exam to enter this role.¹⁰ Additionally, most programs provide clinical experience, enabling you to build your skills in an actual pharmacy setting.

Here’s what you need to know about pharmacy technician training at UMA:

• Program: Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Length: 18 months or more²
• Format: Online instruction with a 180-hour externship

Learn more: What is a Pharmacy Technician?

13. Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy technicians, also known as phlebotomists, are responsible for drawing blood used for medical tests and transfusions or for collecting blood donations. They can also prepare and label samples for testing or processing and may enter information into patient or donor databases. Phlebotomy techs typically work in laboratories, doctor’s offices, and hospitals, though some work in blood donor centers and bloodmobiles.

Due to the nature of their work, phlebotomists are typically expected to have formal training.¹¹ This not only provides the technical skills required to collect, label, and submit samples for processing, but you can also learn how to perform these duties compassionately to make the process more comfortable for patients.

Here’s what you need to know about phlebotomy technician training at UMA:

• Program: Phlebotomy Technician Diploma
• Length: 4 months or more²
• Format: Online instruction with on-campus training and an 80-hour externship

Learn more: What is a Phlebotomy Technician?

Ready to Pursue a Diploma or Associate Degree for the Healthcare Field?

As these roles that don’t require a bachelor’s degree demonstrate, you can train for a variety of healthcare jobs within 1-2 years, depending on the program. In some cases, you can even complete classroom instruction and a clinical externship in just a few months.²

Why choose UMA for your healthcare education? We do more than provide the knowledge and skills you need for these important healthcare roles. We’re also here to support you throughout your learner journey, from helping you with admissions and financial aid (if you qualify) to assisting with your job search after graduation.

At UMA, we believe in the ripple effect of care, the idea that if we care for our students, that they'll go on to care for others in the field one day. If we care for you, you can go on to care for others. This creates a ripple effect of care that has the potential to reach far and wide. It also helps contribute to a healthcare industry that is focused on taking care of each other for generations to come.

How can we care for you as you pursue your healthcare career goals? Contact us and let’s talk about what you want to do professionally or your motivations for pursuing a healthcare role. We’re here to help however we can.

FAQs

• What healthcare jobs don’t require a degree? This can vary from employer to employer and by state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and other industry-recognized organizations provide entry-level education information for a variety of healthcare occupations. With a little bit of research, you can find options in your area. The 13 roles mentioned here are a good place to start, but others can exist as well.
• Can you get hospital jobs without a degree? Yes, you can pursue some hospital roles without a degree. Two examples are nursing assistants and patient care technicians as you can learn the skills for both in a diploma program and, in some cases, with on-the-job training. That said, employers and individual states may require that job candidates complete an approved training program to work in certain hospital roles. Check with employers and your state to learn the requirements in your area.
• What is the easiest healthcare field to get into? A field that you might consider “easy” can be difficult for someone else and vice versa. Instead of looking at how hard a field may be to enter, consider your interests, goals, and what you’d like to spend your workday doing. If you enjoy your healthcare role, it can feel rewarding — no matter how easy or hard it was to get into. Plus, you can always get help if you feel like your course is too hard.