6 Non-Clinical Healthcare Careers to Consider
Healthcare is a diverse field offering a multitude of career opportunities that extend beyond direct patient care. While clinical roles are essential, there are numerous healthcare careers that don’t require hands-on patient interaction. These roles are crucial in the healthcare ecosystem, contributing to the industry’s efficiency, compliance, and overall success. Read on to explore six healthcare careers that don’t involve clinical practice, each offering unique challenges and opportunities.
1. Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who work alongside physicians and nurses to perform administrative and clinical tasks. While they have some clinical responsibilities, such as taking vital signs and preparing patients for exams, administrative medical assistants’ tasks primarily revolve around non-clinical duties. These may include scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and handling billing and coding. Medical assistants serve as vital liaisons between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring the smooth operation of medical offices and clinics. Those pursuing administrative medical assistant careers will typically need:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of a medical assisting program from an accredited institution (certificate, diploma, or associate degree).
- Clinical experience through internships or externships.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and basic clinical procedures.
- Certification, such as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), although this may vary depending on the region or employer.
2. Nurse Writer
Nurse writers leverage their healthcare expertise to create written content that educates, informs, and advocates for healthcare issues. They produce a wide range of materials, from patient education pamphlets to scholarly articles and blogs. Nurse writers play a crucial role in disseminating accurate healthcare information to the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. This career path allows nurses to combine their clinical knowledge with writing skills, making complex medical concepts accessible to a broader audience.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher degree is usually required for nurse writers, though nurses with any type of background can pursue writing gigs. The primary skill to have is a fantastic writing ability with a proven portfolio and a legitimate background in nursing.
3. Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare administrators, also known as healthcare managers or executives, oversee the business side of healthcare organizations. Their responsibilities include managing budgets, developing policies, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. These professionals work in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Healthcare administrators play a pivotal role in optimizing healthcare delivery, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing organizational efficiency. A bachelor’s degree is typically required, with many professionals pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) for advancement.
4. Nurse Attorney
Nurse attorneys are registered nurses who have pursued legal education and training. They specialize in healthcare law, combining their clinical expertise with legal knowledge. Nurse attorneys may represent healthcare organizations, patients, or healthcare professionals in healthcare-related legal matters. Their roles include advocating for patient rights, providing legal counsel to healthcare providers, and ensuring healthcare organizations adhere to legal standards. This career path allows nurses to contribute to the legal aspects of healthcare while protecting the rights and interests of all parties involved.
Nurse attorneys aren’t required to to work in a clinical setting, but they are required to have both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Juris Doctor (JD). They’ll also need:
- Nursing License: Obtain a registered nurse (RN) license by completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN examination.
- Bar Examination: Pass the bar examination in the state where you intend to practice law. Each state has its own requirements and exam format.
- Work Experience: Gain experience as a registered nurse to understand healthcare systems, policies, and practices. Some nurse attorney positions may require a certain number of years of nursing experience.
- Specialization: Pursue additional education or training in healthcare law or medical-legal fields. This can include earning a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in health law or obtaining certification in nursing law.
- Professional Certification: Consider obtaining certification as a Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) or in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) to demonstrate expertise in nursing and legal matters.
5. Informatics Nurse
Informatics nurses bridge the gap between healthcare and technology. They are responsible for implementing and managing healthcare information systems, electronic health records (EHRs), and other healthcare technologies. Informatics nurses play a critical role in optimizing the use of technology to improve patient care, streamline clinical workflows, and enhance healthcare data security. They collaborate with IT professionals, clinicians, and administrators to ensure that healthcare technology aligns with clinical needs and regulatory requirements.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is typically required to become an informatics nurse, with many holding a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics. An informatics nurse may not typically work in a clinical setting, but they will need to be experienced in working in one.
6. Healthcare Manager
Healthcare managers oversee the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities. They may work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or other healthcare settings. While they do not provide clinical care themselves, healthcare managers play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient functioning of healthcare organizations. Their responsibilities may include staffing, budgeting, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance. Healthcare managers are instrumental in driving quality improvement initiatives and optimizing the delivery of healthcare services.
Many healthcare managers start out as clinical nurses and advance by taking on more administrative responsibilities on the job, however, there are many BSN and MSN programs which offer healthcare manager specializations rolled into their curriculum.
Latest Articles & Guides
One of the keys to success as a registered nurse is embracing lifelong learning. Our articles and guides address hot topics and current events in nursing, from education to career mobility and beyond. No matter where you are on your nursing journey, there’s an article to help you build your knowledge base.
Browse our latest articles, curated specifically for modern nurses.
