Job Descriptions

A diverse range of professions exist within the healthcare field ranging from professionals directly involved with the diagnosis and treatments of patients to others that support and manufacture medical and health related products.

The following table provides a full list of all healthcare careers currently available in the United States. For each occupation, you will learn about job descriptions, duties, and any required education, training, and/or certification.

OccupationRequired EducationYears of Education
AcupuncturistMaster's degree7 to 8 years
AnesthesiologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in anesthesiology12 years
Athletic TrainerBachelor’s degree4 years
AudiologistDoctoral or professional degree8 to 10 years
CardiologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in cardiology13 to 17 years
Cardiovascular TechnologistAssociate's degree2 years
Chiropractor Doctoral or professional degree7 to 8 years
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Postsecondary non-degree award0 to 1 year
Dental AssistantPostsecondary non-degree award0 to 2 years
Dental HygienistAssociate’s degree2 to 4 years
DentistDoctoral or professional degree6 to 8 years
Dietetic TechnicianHigh school diploma or equivalent0 to 4 years
DietitianBachelor’s degree4 years
DosimetristPostsecondary non-degree award12 months
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)Postsecondary non-degree award0 to 2 years
EndocrinologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in endocrinology14 to 15 years
EstheticianPostsecondary non-degree award4 to 12 months
Exercise PhysiologistBachelor’s degree4 years
General PractitionerDoctor of Medicine degree 11 years
General SurgeonDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in a particular surgical field11 to 16 years
Genetic CounselorMaster's Degree6 years
GynecologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in gynecology12 to 15 years
Hearing Aid SpecialistAssociate’s degree2 years
InternistDoctor of Medicine degree
with specialization in internal medicine		11 to 16 years
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Postsecondary non-degree award1 year
Massage TherapistPostsecondary non-degree award0 to 1 year
Medical AssistantHigh school diploma or equivalent0 to 2 years
Medical Billing and CodingHigh school diploma or equivalent0 years
Medical Laboratory TechnicianAssociate’s degree2 years
Medical Laboratory TechnologistBachelor’s degree4 years
Medical Receptionist High school diploma or equivalent0 years
Medical Social WorkerBachelor’s degree4 years
NeurologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in neurology12 to 13 years
NeurosurgeonDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in neurosurgery14 to 16 years
Nuclear Medicine TechnologistAssociate’s degree2 years
Nurse AnesthetistMaster's Degree6 to 8 years
Nurse PractitionerMaster's Degree6 to 8 years
Nutritionist Bachelor’s degree4 years
ObstetricianDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in gynecology12 to 15 years
Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistBachelor’s degree4 years
Occupational Therapist Master’s degree5 to 6 years
Occupational Therapy AssistantAssociate’s degree2 years
OncologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in oncology12 years
OpticianHigh school diploma or equivalent0 years
OptometristDoctoral or professional degree7 to 8 years
Oral SurgeonDoctoral or professional degree10 to 14 years
OrthodontistDoctoral or professional degree8 to 10 years
Orthopedic SurgeonDoctor of Medicine degree
with specialization in orthopedic surgery		13 to 15 years
OrthotistBachelor’s degree5 years
ParamedicPostsecondary non-degree award0 to 2 years
PathologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in pathology12 years
PediatricianDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in pediatrics11 to 16 years
PharmacistDoctoral or professional degree6 to 8 years
Pharmacy TechnicianHigh school diploma or equivalent0 to 1 year
PhlebotomistPostsecondary non-degree awardLess than one year
Physical TherapistDoctoral or professional degree6 to 7 years
Physical Therapy AideHigh school diploma or equivalent0 years
Physical Therapy AssistantAssociate’s degree2 years
Physician AssistantMaster’s degree6 years
Plastic SurgeonDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in dermatology, general surgery, and oral/maxillofacial surgery13 to 17 years
PodiatristDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in podiatry10 to 12 years
ProsthodontistDoctoral or professional degree11 to 12 years
Psychiatric TechnicianPostsecondary non-degree award0 to 1 year
PsychiatristDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in psychiatry12 years
PsychologistMaster's or doctoral degree6 to 12 years
RadiologistDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in radiology10 to 12 years
Radiology TechnicianAssociate’s degree2 years
Registered NurseAssociate’s degree2 to 4 years
Recreational TherapistBachelor’s degree4 years
Respiratory TherapistAssociate’s degree2 years
Respiratory Therapy TechnicianPostsecondary non-degree award1 year
Speech PathologistMaster’s degree6 to 8 years
Surgical TechnologistPostsecondary non-degree award9 months
Trauma SurgeonDoctor of Medicine degree with specialization in critical care and trauma12 to 15 years
Ultrasound TechnicianAssociate’s degree1 to 2 years
UrologistDoctor of Medicine degree
with specialization in urology		13 years
VeterinarianDoctoral or professional degree4 to 8 years
Veterinary AssistantHigh school diploma or equivalent0 years
Veterinary Technician Associate’s degree2 years