10 Best Jobs For Premed Students
Aug 26, 2024
Gaining relevant experience before attending medical school can significantly enhance your application and prepare you for the rigors of the healthcare field. The following jobs offer premed students valuable insights into patient care, medical procedures, and the day-to-day operations of healthcare settings.
Explore these roles to find one that aligns with your interests and career goals. If you’re just starting, check out our guide on how to be a medical assistant and explore the various medical assistant salaries in Orlando to understand the opportunities in this role.
Table of Contents
- 1. Medical assistant
- 2. Nursing assistant
- 3. Home health aide
- 4. Phlebotomist
- 5. Medical scribe
- 6. Lab technician
- 7. Emergency medical technician (EMT)
- 8. Pharmacy technician
- 9. Patient care technician
- 10. Research assistant
- How to make the most of your pre-med years
1. Medical assistant
Working as a medical assistant allows you to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting. This role involves a mix of administrative and clinical duties, making it ideal for students looking to understand the healthcare system comprehensively.
Additionally, you may wonder, can a medical assistant work from home? While most roles are based in healthcare facilities, some administrative-focused positions or telehealth roles offer the possibility of remote work.
If you’re considering this path, learn more about the medical assistant role, and explore tips on how to pass the CCMA exam for certification.
- Average salary: $36,000 per year
- Education needed: Certificate or associate degree
- Job outlook: Projected to grow 19% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average.
2. Nursing assistant
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) plays a crucial role in patient care, working closely with nurses and other healthcare professionals. This position offers a direct understanding of patient interactions and basic medical care. Discover more about CNA salaries in Orlando, learn how to become a CNA, or explore alternative careers for nurses if you’re considering a broader healthcare role.
- Average salary: $30,000 per year
- Education needed: CNA certification
- Job outlook: Expected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average.
3. Home health aide
Home health aides provide personalized care to patients in their homes, offering a more intimate understanding of patient needs and healthcare outside of a hospital setting. To succeed in this role, it’s important to develop the right home health aide skills and be aware of the home health aide salaries in Florida to plan your career path.
- Average salary: $29,000 per year
- Education needed: High school diploma and on-the-job training
- Job outlook: Projected to grow 34% from 2022 to 2032, significantly faster than average.
4. Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists specialize in drawing blood, making this an excellent role for students interested in laboratory work and patient interaction. If you’re considering this path, you can look into the Phlebotomy salaries in Florida, find tips on how to pass the phlebotomy exam, and explore where a phlebotomist can work.
- Average salary: $35,000 per year
- Education needed: Certificate in phlebotomy
- Job outlook: Expected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average.
5. Medical scribe
Medical scribes assist physicians by documenting patient visits and managing medical records, providing an in-depth look at medical decision-making and patient care.
- Average salary: $32,000 per year
- Education needed: High school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
- Job outlook: Growing demand due to increased emphasis on electronic health records.
6. Lab technician
Lab technicians perform tests and analyze samples, offering vital support in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. If you’re deciding between becoming a phlebotomist or a lab technician, it’s important to understand the differences in their roles.
- Average salary: $54,000 per year
- Education needed: Associate or bachelor's degree in laboratory technology
- Job outlook: Expected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as average.
7. Emergency medical technician (EMT)
EMTs provide emergency care and are often the first responders at the scene of accidents or health crises, making it a high-impact, high-reward role. If you’re comparing roles, you might want to understand the differences between a medical assistant and an EMT to see which suits you best.
- Average salary: $37,000 per year
- Education needed: EMT certification
- Job outlook: Projected to grow 11% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average.
8. Pharmacy technician
Pharmacy technicians support pharmacists in dispensing medication, providing insight into pharmaceutical care and medication management. If you’re torn between becoming a medical assistant or a pharmacy technician, researching both roles can help you make an informed decision.
- Average salary: $35,000 per year
- Education needed: Certificate or associate degree
- Job outlook: Expected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as average.
9. Patient care technician
Patient care technicians assist with various patient care tasks, offering broad exposure to different aspects of medical care. Comparing roles, such as patient care technician vs. phlebotomist, can help you choose the best fit for your interests and career goals.
- Average salary: $34,000 per year
- Education needed: Certificate or associate degree
- Job outlook: Projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average.
10. Research assistant
Research assistants work on medical studies and clinical trials, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how medical knowledge is advanced.
- Average salary: $39,000 per year
- Education needed: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- Job outlook: Increasing demand due to the growth of medical research.
How to make the most of your pre-med years
Your pre-med years are a crucial time to build a strong foundation for medical school and your future career as a physician.
To maximize this period, it's important to strategically choose jobs and experiences that align with your long-term goals.
Here’s how you can make the most of your pre-med years, especially by focusing on jobs that provide valuable skills and insights:
