Dispelling Myths About Healthcare Careers

So you want to go into a healthcare career-but you've heard some rumors: "You need a four-year degree" or "There are not many places you can train to become a therapeutic masseuse." Such myths can stop you before you even get started. But these fallacies are just that-untrue misconceptions.

Myth 1: All healthcare careers need a four-year college degree.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one out of every five new jobs created from now until 2014 will be in the healthcare field. And many of these--such as medical dental receptionist, pharmacy technicians, medical dental administrative assistant and receptionist, and health information specialist-can be attained with training from a two-year career college. A four-year degree is definitely not required to get a foot into the door of a healthcare career, experts say. The additional bonus is that a two-year career college is more geared toward job placement and can provide assistance finding employment, including developing your professional and personal skills.

Myth 2: It's not a good time to consider a healthcare career-there's a lot of competition and the economy is still rebounding.
Government statistics show that eight of 20 occupations projected to grow the fastest are in health care, with most workers having jobs that require less than four years of college education. More new wage and salary jobs were created between 2004 and 2014 in healthcare than in any other industry. All these facts show that now is the time to become a healthcare worker-in just 36 weeks, you could be working in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospital, pharmacy, medical or dental clinic, physician's or dentist's office, assisted living facility, independent billing company, HMO, physical therapy center, or other exciting settings. There is a shortage of competent, well-trained healthcare support personnel, especially in the California area.

Myth 3: Training for a healthcare career requires a lot of fact-filled classes with little interactive experience.
Although lectures and demonstrations are the core of healthcare
training, hands-on laboratory procedures and clinical externships ensure that you will always be challenged and interested as you learn about your fascinating new occupation. Medical-dental administrative assistants, for example, are trained in a variety of software programs that pertain to the medical office to ensure that they are knowledgeable in the latest technologies.

Myth 4: There are not many places you can learn to become a therapeutic masseuse.
A quality massage therapy program teaches massage techniques and modalities, as well as anatomy and physiology. Students can prepare for this service-orientated career by learning about the principles of therapeutic massage, medical terminology and law and ethics, qualifying them to work with physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists.

Myth 5: I won't be able to afford to train for a healthcare career.
A financial assistance staff is always available to work with students every step of the way, whether it's finding the financial package that meets your needs, obtaining a scholarship, applying for government or private loans, or combining work-and-study. Financial concerns should never be an obstacle to achieving your career goals.

Myth 6: Finding that first healthcare position will be difficult.
Although no college can guarantee employment, when you attend a two-year career college, the Career Services Department works closely with students to perfect interviewing skills as well as resume writing and job lead strategies. You will get help networking, knowing what professional attire to wear, and learn where to look for employment. Finding your first healthcare position is easier when you have professional assistance.

Entering a healthcare career, says one recent graduate, "was the best thing I've ever done, offering opportunity and a new set of skills…it's something I'd recommend to anyone who loves to work with people and wants to be part of the hottest profession in the country."

For more information about healthcare career training in Northern California, visit the ACI website