Non-Medical Patient Care Careers
NurseJournal.org says a variety of healthcare degrees or certificates "lead to fulfilling careers helping patients and colleagues, managing, teaching, and more." Not all healthcare certifications involve clinical work, "Students passionate about healthcare can enter the field without clinical components focused on direct patient care."If needles make you nervous and broken bones make you balk, then a career in the patient care field may seem out of reach. However, there are a surprising number of non-medical patient care careers to choose from where you can work directly with patients and have a positive impact on their health.
If you enjoy helping people live a healthy life but are not interested in the traditional medical fields of patient care such as nursing and radiology, there are many non-medical patient care careers to explore, including:
- Wellness support
- Fitness trainer
- Peer support services
- Addiction studies specialist
- Physical therapy assistant
GI BIll and Yellow Ribbon Program Options for Non-Clinical Healthcare Degrees
Below is our list of GI Bill participating schools. Remember to explore your other military financial aid and veteran student financial aid opportunities.Military spouses who need scholarships and other financial aid can also receive help. Those looking for portable careers should ask about MyCAA options associated with a non-clinical degree program.
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Non-Clinical Certificate and Associate Degree Programs
Certificate and associate degree programs can be especially appealing, allowing students to start working in the field in a much shorter amount of time than a traditional 4-year degree program. Additionally, certificate and associate degree programs tend to cost less than a 4-year program so students not only earn a great wage quicker but also have less educational costs to defray.Keep in mind to look for applicable financial aid options at each potential school including GI Bill acceptance, Yellow Ribbon participation, and MyCAA approval.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical therapy assistants, sometimes called PTAs, work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to regain movement and manage pain. Physical therapist assistants are involved in the direct care of patients. They may also have tasks that are indirectly related to patient care such as setting up the treatment area, moving patients, and various clerical duties. Median Annual Pay- $50,000.GI Bill-approved Schools and Yellow Ribbon Colleges with Physical Therapy Assistant Programs
Ready to start your degree as a physical therapy assistant? Check out these programs at our partner schools!- Bay State College- Offers an Associate Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant. Bay State College is a GI Bill-approved school that offers credit for military experience and awards credit for the CLEP exam. Bay State College participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
- Concorde Career College- Offers a Physical Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Program. This program can be completed in less than 2 years. Concorde Career College is a Military Committed School and offers benefits for military and their dependents. Concorde is a GI Bill-approved school, awards credit for the CLEP exam, and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Concorde participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Addiction Studies Specialist
Provide treatment and advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, or other mental or behavioral problems. Employment opportunities in this field include drug and alcohol treatment advising, family and youth services, education, rehabilitation, community health, mental health, employment assistance programs, senior programs, community-based nonprofit agencies, and case-management services. Median Annual Pay-$48,000.GI Bill-approved Schools and Yellow Ribbon Schools with Addiction Studies Programs
- College of the Redwoods- Offers a Certificate of Achievement in Addiction Studies. This certificate program provides an academic and experiential setting for the study of addictions, including theories, prevention and assistance techniques, and research and is certified by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators. College of the Redwoods is a GI Bill approved school and offers credit for military experience.
- College of the Siskiyous- Offers a Certificate and an Associate Degree in Alcohol and Drug/Human Services. College of the Siskiyous is a GI Bill-approved school that offers credit for military experience and awards credit for the CLEP exam.
- University of Cincinnati Online- Offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling. The University of Cincinnati is a GI Bill-approved school, offers credit for the CLEP exam, offers credit for military experience, and is approved for Tuition Assistance. UC is a MyCAA-approved school and participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Peer Support Services
Peer support specialists are mental health workers who have had experience with a psychiatric disorder—such as PTSD, depression, or addiction—and have been trained to counsel or assist others with that condition. Familiar with the disorder, these specialists act as role models for clients facing similar difficulties. Median Annual Pay-$37,000.GI Bill-approved Schools with Peer Support Services Studies Programs
Ready to start your degree in peer support services? Check out these programs at our partner schools!- Contra Costa College- Offers a Certificate in Peer Support Services. Contra Costa College has GI Bill-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for the CLEP exam, and is approved for Tuition Assistance.
Fitness Trainers and Instructors
Lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities. Fitness trainers and instructors work in various facilities including recreation centers, health clubs, and various exercise studios. Fitness trainer and instructor careers are great opportunities for those who wish to be self-employed and even start their own studios. Median Annual Pay-$41,000.GI Bill-approved Schools with Fitness Training & Instruction Programs
- Career Step- Offers a training program for Fitness and Wellness Coach. This program prepares students to take and pass the ACSM Personal Trainer certification exam. Career Step has GI Bill approved programs and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Career Step is also a MyCAA approved school.
- Scottsdale Community College- Offers a Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Personal Trainer and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness, and Sports Performance. Scottsdale Community College is a GI Bill-approved school that offers credit for military experience and awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. Scottsdale Community College is approved for Tuition Assistance and is a MyCAA approved school.
Wellness Support Worker
This area of specialization provides students with a broad knowledge covering exercise and fitness, nutrition and its effects on health, basic care and prevention of injuries, and emergency procedures such as basic first aid. Also known as health education specialists, this job helps to develop and deliver programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being.Wellness support workers may be employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Median annual pay: $48,000.
GI Bill-approved Schools with Wellness Support Programs
- Lakeland Community College- Offers a Certificate in Health and Wellness. Lakeland Community College is a GI Bill approved school for Tuition Assistance, and accepts both the DSST and CLEP exams for credit. Lakeland Community College also offers college credit for military experience.
- Career Step- Offers a training program for Health and Lifestyle Coach. This program prepares students to become a Certified Wellness Coach. Career Step has GI Bill approved programs and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Career Step is also a MyCAA-approved school.
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