3 Great Paying Healthcare Jobs That Don't Require a Bachelor's Degree

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The best paying healthcare jobs for the least amount of education

These days, finding a great paying job is hard enough, but for those who don't have degrees, it can be even more difficult. Many people have been considering their career options and thinking about going back to school in order to find a better paying job that offers more security and benefits.

The problem is, four years of college is a huge commitment for an adult who is already employed full-time. Not only is it tough to find the time to balance school, family and work, but the amount of student loan debt can make that high paying job not so great.

In fact, a study by College Board shows that having a bachelor's degree can earn you an average of $20,000 more per year than just having graduated college. However, the average student loan debt for those who completed their bachelor's degree in 2009 was $24,000.

Another option for those who want to further their career and not end up in as much debt, is pursuing an Associates Degree. The median student loan debt for associate degree holders is $7,130. What's more, according to a report by the Florida Education and Training Program, people with associate's degrees or certificates can actually find jobs that earn as much or more than those with four year degrees.

Here are 3 Healthcare jobs that pay well and don't require a bachelor's degree:

• Radiology Technician - All you need to pursue this career field is a two year degree and the ability to pass a state radiological licensing exam. The average salary for this career is $52,210. This is a fast growing occupation and people who are qualified to run medical tests like MRI scans and X-rays are in demand at almost all hospitals.

• Dental Hygienist - The average salary in this field is $66,570. Although the salary is great, the hours are also a perk. Most dental hygienists work part time or at least less than 40 hours a week. This makes it a great career for people who are struggling to meet the demands of work and family. This career field only requires an associate's degree, so it can be a great occupation for those who don't want to take on as much student loan debt.

• Registered Nurse - Nursing is a great choice for a career that requires a two year degree. Registered Nurses earn an average of $62,450 and have flexible schedules and the ability to find a job in a variety of settings. In addition, there is a high demand for nurses and the field is expected to continue to grow. Of course, in order to become a nurse, it's necessary to complete an accredited training program and pass a licensing test.

There are many jobs, especially in healthcare, that don't require a four year degree or post graduate training. Many of these careers are in demand right now and offer flexibility and generous benefits packages as well. If you have been considering a new career in the Healthcare industry, take a look and see which jobs might be a good fit for you.

Are there other careers you think should be on this list? Let me know in the comments.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for HealthcareJobsiteBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

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• When Your College Degree Isn't Helping You Get The Job You Want (phillyjobsblog.com)
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5 Reasons Why Your Resume Is Crucial

Believe it or not, many people still think that having a great resume isn't that important. Here are 5 reasons why your resume should be your best work.

When you are looking for a job, your resume is your first, and sometimes only, marketing tool. I have been talking with other job seekers lately, and I keep hearing them say that they don't understand why it matters so much if their resume isn't tailored to each job. I mean, they are supposed to be looking for the best employee, not just the best resume writer. Right?

Actually, that couldn't be further from the truth. When hiring managers are sorting through a pile of resumes, they are forced to make judgments about your ability as an employee bases on just this documents. If your resume and cover letter are filled with errors, are sloppy or just don't make sense, then they will assume that you have the same issues.

Here are 5 reasons why your resume is cruical:

1. Your livelihood depends on it – If you make careless errors on your resume or don't want to invest time and energy into making it perfect, you are basically telling an employer that you can't produce a document that gets results, even if your livelihood depends on it. That doesn't make you a great candidate.
   
   
2. You are demonstrating that you know how to use a computer – The process of preparing the documents and emailing them to an employer shows them that you are familiar with how to send office correspondence via a computer. Even if the job doesn't require huge computer skills, most companies will require you to at least be familiar with how to attach files and send email. Sending files that are in the wrong format or not using a subject line in your email all show that you aren't someone who can handle those tasks.
   
   
3. It shows that you can get things done, and ask for help – If you aren't a great resume writer or don't have good computer skills, get someone to help you. There will be times at any job when you are given a task that you don't feel capable of doing on your own. These are the times when you will have to ask for help. So, if you don't think that you are able to make your resume stand out on your own, hire a resume writing service or ask friends for help.
   
   
4. Your resume and work experience shows your flexibility – Your previous experience shows how capable you are at adapting to new situations. When you apply for a job, customize your resume and cover letter to the job. This way, the employer will get the most relevant information about you, but they will also see that you are able to change your presentation to match the circumstance. This is a great quality in an employee.
   
   
5. Your resume and cover letter are your first project for an employer – Every time you send in a resume and cover letter to a potential employer, you are completing a sample project for them. Of course, you want to show them that you are able to give them what they asked for without making any errors. Presenting them with a half-hearted document that isn't targeted to what they asked for just shows that you didn't read the job description, or that you didn't care enough to give them the results they wanted.

In today's job market, your resume and cover letter are more important than ever. Think of it as a sample project and do your best to deliver the information they need to make an informed decision about you as an employee.

Do you tailor your resume to each job? Have you used a resume writing service? Let me know in the comments.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for HealthcareJobsiteBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

It's All In The Hands

Massage Therapist uses the practice of touch to manipulate the soft tissue muscles of the body. Massage therapists use the art of pressure to relieve stress and promote health. There are 80 different types of massages. Massages can be as long as 2 hours or as short as 20 minutes. Different techniques are used on elderly clients then would be used on athletics.

Massage therapists typically work on an appointment basis. They interview the client to learn about the person’s medical history and what they hope to achieve from the massage. A client with injuries would be massaged differently than one who just wanted to relax. Massage therapist use massage oil, cream or lotions to rub into the client’s muscles. Some offer candles, relaxing music and incense to help put the client at ease.

If proper techniques aren’t used, massage therapists can injure themselves. Repetitive motion problems and fatigue from standing are the most common complaints. They are taught to use body weight, to apply pressure instead of muscular strength. They learn the proper way to stand, lean, and use their hands when working. Other qualifications a therapist should have include strong communications skills and a friendly personality. Massage is a personal issue with a lot of people and making them comfortable is an important skill. It’s common for massage therapist to divide their time among different settings, depending on clients and locations. Massage therapist typically work less than 40 hours per week actually massaging. However, when taking into consideration travel, setting up equipment, billing and the massage therapy itself, it’s actually over 40 hours.

So who gets massages and why? Massages help relieve muscle tension and pain. It increases flexibility, mobility and helps clear lactic acid waste which can help reduce pain and stiffness. People with back pain, arthritis, tendentious, and muscle related condition would benefit from a massage. Also people who need stress relief benefit from massages. It will help with headaches, migraines, circulatory problems, and respiratory problems. Massage helps the body’s stress response by lowering the levels of cortisol in the system.

There is schooling to learn how to be a massage therapist. It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the level you want to reach. The average is about two years. Look for a program that leads to certification and satisfies your jurisdiction’s licensing requirements. Many states require 500 to 600 hours of training. Depending on the program that you choose, you will graduate either with certification in a certain specialty or with a degree. No matter what your schedule or where you are, you can find a massage school to fit your needs, even online.

So if you like to help people feel good about themselves and help relieve pain, this may be the career for you.

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond andHealthcarejobsite. You can read more of her blogs on Healthcarejobsite blog.