Seeking suggestions on ancillary jobs

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

It sounds like you're at an important crossroads, and understandably, you want to find a more financially and personally rewarding career. Let's break it down and explore a few options:

1. Phlebotomy

If you're drawn to phlebotomy, it could be a great entry point into healthcare, even if the pay isn't stellar initially. The beauty of phlebotomy is that it's in high demand, especially in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and labs. With a hands-on training program, you can get certified relatively quickly (usually in a few months). While the pay may be low starting, once you gain experience, you may have opportunities for more hours or higher-paying roles like working in labs or with specialized procedures. Plus, some phlebotomists get additional certifications (like advanced venipuncture techniques), which can increase their earning potential.

2. CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

CNA work does involve a fair amount of direct patient care (including bathing), but not all CNA roles are focused on that aspect. Some facilities (like hospitals or clinics) allow CNAs to perform more administrative tasks or assist with non-bedside care, such as discharge lounge caregivers or surgery scheduling. You might be able to specialize in something like clinical care or surgical units, which could be more focused on patient monitoring than direct hands-on personal care. CNAs also often interact with other medical professionals, so it could be an excellent way to network.

3. Medical Assistant (MA)

Another certification to consider is becoming a Medical Assistant (MA). Medical assistants work in various clinical settings, and they're not tasked with personal hygiene care (like CNAs). You'd be doing more administrative and clinical tasks like taking vitals, assisting with procedures, performing EKGs, and drawing blood (so phlebotomy would still be a part of the job). Plus, this job often pays more than CNA work, and it's a relatively quick certification (usually under a year). Many MAs work in doctors' offices, urgent care clinics, or outpatient settings.

4. Patient Care Technician (PCT)

A Patient Care Technician is similar to a CNA but may have more specialized duties. As a PCT, you'd be trained to take on more responsibilities, including phlebotomy, EKGs, and monitoring vital signs. Many PCT programs are short and offer flexible scheduling. This might give you a good balance of patient care without focusing on bathing and help you avoid the hairnet situation.

5. Social Work or Case Management

Since you already have a bachelor's in human services consider something related to medical social work or case management. These roles often focus on patient advocacy, care coordination, and helping people navigate the healthcare system. They tend to pay better and require less physical labor or patient hygiene care. This could be a great fit if you enjoy helping people and working in a hospital setting.

6. Networking & Meeting People

You mentioned wanting to meet people, and hospital settings offer that, especially if you branch into patient care or clinical roles. However, balancing work and social life can be challenging when you're focused on a demanding job or single motherhood. If you want to get out there and meet potential partners, joining a local social or professional group related to health or wellness might be a more direct route to meeting like-minded people outside of work.

What You Can Do Next

• Research programs. Look for short certification programs in phlebotomy, medical assisting, lactation specialist, or patient care technician roles that you could complete in a few months. Many community colleges and adult schools offer evening or weekend classes.
• Look into X-ray technician and ultrasound training programs. Both are excellent options.

Consider a flexible schedule. Some jobs like medical assisting or phlebotomy offer shift work, so you might be able to find something that fits with your family life.

Network within the hospital. Even if you're not in a clinical role, talk to others in the healthcare field.

Talk to lab, nursing, outpatient, and surgery employees for first-hand info and job leads.

Many hospitals support career growth and could offer opportunities for advancement after you've been there a while. Keep an eye on the hospital job boards to see what's out there. Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

 

[Lipoma, BSN, RN]

I didn't bathe people at all as a medical assistant at an urgent care. In an acute care setting/nursing home/ltach, or rehab, CNAs and nurses alike bathe patients so if you're not too fond of that stay out of these areas and become a MA for an outpatient office/surgery center. 

Respiratory Therapy/Radiology Technologists are great alternatives that pays well but does require additional (and costly) trainings.

 

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I think you will find that MOST positions that only require certification and a brief education will be low paying. 

Rad tech requires an associates degree and it is a heavy load, even including the Summer between your first and second year.   Ultrasound tech can be done as a year long certification IF you have healthcare experience AND a health care related degree.   Like rad tech, respiratory therapy also requires a two year degree, and the pay is likely similar to a rad tech starting out.   

Have you thought about surgical tech, I think it's a shorter program and they can make some decent money.  Ortho tech is another certification program, but they do not seem to make a living wage.  There are lots of programs, but the more responsibility and education they require the higher the pay.   You would be best choosing a career that requires at least a two year degree if you want to make a living wage.   

Medical assistants make terrible pay.  

As much as I dislike nursing, I am a vascular access nurse, and make 55 an hour (I have 17 years of nursing experience thought), but there is no butt wiping, passing out endless medications, bathing patients etc.  There are nursing jobs that don't involve doing those types of nursing duties.  LPN might be a good option for you, it's a shorter program, but less money, but I think they do OK.  

Best of luck!