Some people are called to work in healthcare, drawn by the desire to help others and make a difference in the world. When you feel that call, the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology is ready to help you get your future started. Our key healthcare programs are designed to deliver real-world experience, so you can start the next phase of your life as soon as possible.
💡 Key Takeaway Working in health care doesn’t have to take the traditional route of a bachelor’s degree, medical school, and residency. There are numerous options available for students looking to work in health care in two years or less. |
4 Key Healthcare Careers
The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers four key programs for individuals who would like to begin their medical career as soon as possible. Each of these programs incorporates hands-on learning, a 15:1 student to faculty ratio, and personalized academic support. Students can also benefit from lifetime career services to assist with job placement.
| Career | Education Timeframe | Credentials | Median Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing | 2 years | Practical Nursing Associate Degree | $62,340 |
| Clinical Medical Assistant | 2 years | Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate | $44,200 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography | 2 years | Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree | $89,340 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technology | 1 year | Neurodiagnostic Technology Certificate | $76,166 |
If you’re set on the medical field, but not quite decided on which pathway to choose, let us help. Below, we dive into the specifications for each career pathway.
Practical Nursing Associate Degree
The day-to-day work of practical nursing takes its shape in hands-on bedside care, the administration of medications, wound care, and family communication. Many practical nurses work in long-term care facilities monitoring elderly patients, or in rehab offices to help post-surgical patients in their recovery.
Over the two-year timespan of this degree, students will explore many different elements of nursing, including general education courses in science, mathematics, English, humanities, and social sciences, as well as the development of critical thinking and communication skills. By the end of the program, newly graduated students will be prepared to join the ranks of medical professionals and have:
Studied the allied health field and committed to a specific clinical discipline
Explored P.I.T. certificate programs to further expand necessary health care expertise
Gained knowledge in basic health care disciplines
Connected their personal and professional goals with their education
Prepared for transitioning into a professional role, or beginning a bachelor’s level degree
We also offer a Practical Nursing Certificate program which lasts approximately one year. Please visit the program page for detailed information.
Clinical Medical Assistant Associate Degree
You have likely interacted with clinical medical assistants many times if you’ve ever visited the hospital or doctor’s office. The everyday duties for this medical professional include taking vitals, drawing blood, running EKGs and other medical tests, and managing the space between the patient and doctors. Medical assistants are typically found in clinics and are seen as a bridge of communication, making their role highly social.
The clinical medical assistant program lasts for approximately two years and helps students prepare for the workplace by studying in small classrooms taught by current, experienced healthcare professionals. The program opens graduates up to many different clinical roles, including:
Medical biller
Health unit coordinator
Medical office manager
Insurance claims processor
Sterile processing technician
We also offer a Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate program comprised of three 11-week terms. Please visit the program page for detailed information.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree
Diagnostic medical sonographers hold an important role in the clinical space. If you’ve ever had diagnostic imaging conducted, you’ll know that this is where medical sonographers shine. The two main elements of this role are running ultrasounds and producing images that physicians can diagnose. Students with a strong interest in physics, and those with excellent hand coordination, are excellent candidates for this program.
These healthcare professionals spend two years gaining knowledge and skills that prepare them to take images of internal organs, blood vessels, tissues, and other structures and to understand what they’re looking at, aiding early diagnosis efforts. There’s great versatility in the locations that these professionals work within, including spaces like hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
Neurodiagnostic Technology Certificate
Neurodiagnostic technologists place electrodes on patients and record electrical activity in the brain and nervous system. If you’ve ever visited a neurologist, you’ve likely also interacted with a technologist. Students that work well in quiet environments and are detail-oriented with a strong technical background will excel in this field.
The neurodiagnostic technology certificate requires approximately one year to complete and prepares students via hands-on experience with neurodiagnostic procedures, including electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials (EP), long-term monitoring (LTM), intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and polysomnography (PSG). Technologists often get the opportunity to work in both clinical and professional settings like clinics, hospitals, labs, and more.
FAQs About Healthcare Careers You Can Start in Two Years or Less
How Fast Can I Become an LPN?
The state of Pennsylvania requires roughly 1,500 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical instruction for practical nursing programs. Twelve months is the perfect blend of accelerated programming with hands-on experience, ensuring you will not be rushed as a student but will exit your schooling prepared.
How Much Does It Cost to Go into Healthcare?
Each program is different, as The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees for $505/credit hour plus course fees. For more information about tuition on the programs you’re interested in, please contact us. We’re proud to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals, which is why 93% of our students receive financial aid.
Which Healthcare Career Is for Me?
Selecting your career pathway is a deeply personal choice that should reflect your interests and goals. Students with a strong affiliation for instrument-facing work may feel drawn to a neurodiagnostic technologist role, while other students with strong communication skills might prefer the people-facing work of a clinical medical assistant. If you’re still deciding which role is right for you, reach out today and we’d be happy to discuss your options.
