Those interested in working in the healthcare industry recognize how rewarding the career of helping others can be. However, the long hospital shifts and overnight hours of healthcare jobs come with intimidating anyone because perhaps you don’t want to devote all your time to a career.
Fortunately, numerous health-related careers allow ideal work-life balance. Check out some of the best job opportunities in healthcare today that let you focus on your job and other responsibilities.
1. Registered nurse
RNs can enjoy a very flexible career in terms of workplace and schedule options. Because of this, they are considered among the best work-life balance jobs in healthcare.
Daily, nurses provide care to patients in many different settings. If you are looking for a nursing job that offers steady hours and plenty of time off, you might consider working at a school, summer camp, or physician’s office. If you enjoy working with children, you may be interested in a pediatric medical group. Finally, those interested in a more fast-paced environment may consider hospital nursing – which usually entails working just three days a week, allowing them to spend more time at home.
Nursing careers are rewarding not just because they allow care for patients closely but also in terms of income. On average, RNs earn $71,730 per year.
2. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced Registered Nurses who have years of experience. They have earned their master’s degree in their desired field of nursing, allowing them to perform nearly all duties of a physician. They can get the physical exams done, prescribe prescriptions without a doctor, authorize treatments, and educate patients and families on continued care. While their roles require hard work, several nursing careers offer an enviable work-life balance. And if you choose your desired field, you can also enjoy immense job satisfaction. If you haven’t figured it all out yet, you can enrol in the best online MSN program to find your desired area of nursing and advance your career.
Nurse practitioners get regular weekday hours and can count on sufficient time off for a personal life. They also enjoy a median salary of $107,030 each year.
3. Dental Hygienist
In the U.S., dentists are ranked second for having a good work-life balance. These professionals assist dentists in setting up dental exams, taking X-Rays, and cleaning teeth daily. Dental hygienists work between 9 am and 5 pm during regular dental office hours. Consequently, they have plenty of time to engage in other activities. In addition, the majority of dental hygienists work part-time in addition to full-time employment. As a result, they can perform a few days a week while having plenty of time for their families and personal responsibilities.
Dental hygienists earn over $76,000 annually, making for a very comfortable living.
4. Medical Coder
It has become increasingly popular to hold a position in medical coding over the past few years, even though many people have no idea what it entails. Medical coders are responsible for learning and using a variety of medical codes that each represent a specific type of information.
These numbers are attached to their medical files in place of their names to protect patients’ privacy. In addition, colour-coding helps doctors identify the problem immediately, so they can get to work quickly.
Moreover, Medical Coders work in various settings, including hospitals and medical centres, but smaller private practices can also benefit from them. Consequently, the role can be flexible, and you can also work as a freelance medical coder, which may appeal to some.
A two-year degree is usually enough to qualify for this position, which is on our list of best healthcare careers for work-life balance. Consequently, it can provide an easy and effective way to get into the healthcare field or gain the valuable experience that many healthcare roles require.
5. Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Occupational therapy assistants are in high demand and have an excellent work-life balance. They may work in hospitals, private practices, or outpatient clinics. Though OTAs may provide services on weekends and evenings, they enjoy a flexible schedule. American Newspapers rate an OTA as 6/10, which is high for healthcare positions.
6. Home Health Aide
In most cases, HHAs have a choice of which patients to see. Most choose to work with agencies to set their schedules or take on part-time jobs to provide care to patients when they want.
As a Home Health Aide, you will help and assist people with disabilities living in their homes. It is common for patients with disabilities to need home care assistance at some point, but it is not limited to their ageing, injuries, illnesses, or cognitive challenges. They may even require medical care; however, that’s not always mandatory. In some cases, patients may need assistance with using special equipment for themselves, maintaining a safe environment, and assisting them with household tasks unrelated to personal care.
Home Health Aides, however, have the option to work part-time. Based on the 2022 statistics, the average wage for a home health aide in the United States is $14.59 per hour, with $4,000 in overtime.
7. Medical Assistant
A medical assistant’s schedule can be much more flexible than many think. Based on the needs of the centre where they work, these assistants perform various administrative and clinical duties on behalf of physicians.
Depending on the facility where they work, their duties and hours will vary. Therefore, medical assistants at large hospitals may have a more inflexible schedule than many people would find desirable.
Healthcare organizations increasingly look to Medical Assistants to perform a variety of duties as well as become more well-rounded healthcare professionals. But even with more flexibility for private practices and other minor medical centres, the role has a significant balance.
Many employees in this position learn their skills on the job as no formal training is required. It is an excellent healthcare career for individuals who are just entering the industry or if they are seeking experience in preparation for more senior roles. In addition, the short-course option may be beneficial to those seeking potential careers in healthcare that offer college credits or college experience.
8. Respiratory Therapist (RT)
Respiratory therapists breathe life into patients. They help people with lung and heart problems and treat patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, or sleep apnea.
The associate degree required for this rewarding career allows you to break into it much faster than previously mentioned jobs. RTS receives extensive training to respond to emergencies like heart attacks and strokes. In addition to nursing, this is an exciting career option that offers a variety of settings, such as:
- Hospitals that provide acute care
- In-home care settings
- Air ambulance
- Rehab and long-term care facilities
Why is Work-Life Balance Important?
To achieve personal and professional happiness, you need a work-life balance, which is why you should factor it into your career decisions. To live a well-rounded life, you need a role that allows you to pursue your ambitions while still spending time with your family, friends, and hobbies.
The opposite is true for rigid career paths with a limited work-life balance, which might make you feel unmotivated and at risk of burnout. Therefore, it’s critical to consider your lifestyle when planning your professional future to avoid the unnecessary strain of this industry.
Conclusion
There is a misconception that the healthcare sector is highly inflexible, but that is not true. We’ve outlined some of the most rewarding roles you can pursue in healthcare that offer a work-life balance above. While much of this can be determined by how many hours you choose to work, it can still be rewarding in other ways. For example, nursing, dental hygiene, ophthalmology, occupational therapy, medical assisting, and respiratory care are all roles where you can find a healthy balance. Nonetheless, this can vary between healthcare settings, and one must research to evaluate all the potential benefits and compensation offered by each position.
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