Begin a Rewarding Career in Healthcare

Jun 7, 2023

High school graduates with as little as two terms of community college education can begin a fulfilling career in healthcare with opportunities for growth in addition to benefits and perks hard to find anywhere else.

For many in our organization, starting in these roles opened the door to hospital-paid education, and positions with higher pay and responsibility including supervisors, managers, directors, executives and even our president who started in healthcare as a volunteer in high school.

The opportunities at Adventist Health Tillamook for high school graduates offer the chance to work in a beautiful community but also in a quickly evolving and dynamic field, for a mission-driven organization that provides fulfilling and honorable work.

Find a job and apply online today

Entry-level/Early career healthcare positions at Adventist Health Tillamook

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Hourly range $18.00 – $27.00
2-term CNA Training Certificate required, available at TBCC

CNAs work together with a healthcare team to provide basic care to patients. They help patients with bathing and dressing, eating and grooming. CNAs may also assist with moving patients in and out of bed or transporting them to other rooms or vehicles.

CNAs work closely with patients to ensure their comfort and safety, so they are often the ones reporting a change in a patient’s status to RNs or physicians. They also maintain accurate medical records by recording vital signs and symptoms of a problem in a patient’s chart. If making a daily difference to patients sounds good to you, add CNA to your list of potential entry-level hospital jobs to consider.

Phlebotomist

Hourly range: 19.50 – $29.00
2-term Phlebotomy Technician Certificate required, available at TBCC

You know phlebotomists as the healthcare workers who draw blood and analyze the results in a lab. These professionals can work in many different settings, from clinics and hospitals to mobile blood drives. Their primary job duties include maintaining accurate records of patients and their blood specimens, ensuring that needles and other medical equipment are properly disposed of and monitoring patients to ensure their safety and comfort during blood or tissue collection.

In the lab, phlebotomists conduct tests on blood and other specimen samples according to physician orders, submit results to doctors for diagnosis, and calibrate and maintain lab equipment. If you like working with people and don’t mind the sight of blood, a career in phlebotomy could be right for you!

Medical Assistant (MA)

Hourly range $18.00 – $27.00
On-the-job training available to become certified, no education required

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Hourly range $18.50 – $28.00
5-term Medical Assistant Certificate required, available at TBCC

Medical assistants bring together administrative and clinical work to support physicians as they attend to patients. Administrative duties include scheduling appointments, keeping accurate medical records and coding a patient’s visit for accurate billing to insurance companies.

On the clinical side, MAs work under the direction of a physician to record vital signs, prepare patients for their exams, gather medical history, administer medication and even draw blood. Consider an MA career if you’d enjoy the balance between working behind the scenes and interacting directly with patients each day.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Basic)

Starting annual salary: $55,000
3-term Emergency Medical Services Certificate required, available at TBCC

An emergency medical technician (EMT) is a healthcare professional who provides basic life support and emergency medical care to patients at the scene of an accident or medical emergency. EMTs are often the first on the scene of an emergency, and their quick thinking and skilled care can make the difference between life and death. EMTs typically work for ambulance services, fire departments or hospital emergency departments. They may also be employed by private companies that provide medical transportation services.

To become an EMT, you must typically complete a training program that is approved by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The NREMT sets standards for EMT training and certification. After you complete your training, you must pass a written and practical exam administered by the NREMT. If you pass the exam, you will be certified as an EMT.

Urgent Care/Emergency Department Technician

Urgent Care Tech hourly range $20.50 – $31.00
Emergency Department Tech hourly range $17.00 – $25.00
3-term Emergency Medical Services Certificate required, available at TBCC

An urgent care/emergency department technician (UCT/EDT) is a healthcare professional who provides care to patients in urgent care centers and emergency departments. They work under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician, and their duties include: Triaging patients and determining their level of urgency, preparing patients for treatment, such as taking vital signs and collecting samples, assisting with procedures, such as suturing wounds and inserting IVs, providing emotional support to patients and their families and maintaining the medical records of patients

UCT/EDTs must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many employers prefer candidates with some college coursework. They must also be certified in CPR and first aid, and some positions require additional certifications, such as EMT or paramedic. UCT/EDTs typically work in hospitals, urgent care centers, and clinics, and they may work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Hourly range $23.50 – $35.50
3-term LPN program and license required, available at 10 community colleges in the state

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work in a surprisingly wide range of locations and roles, and as a result, they have many different duties depending on where their career takes them. Although all LPNs have a few core duties in common, it is not unusual for an LPN who works in a hospital to have different responsibilities from an LPN who works in a nursing home, and vice versa. Additionally, many LPNs work in other less traditional settings than these, so they perform different duties altogether.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Hourly range $26.00 – $39.00
2-year degree required, available at TBCC through Linn-Benton Community College

An occupational therapy assistant is a healthcare professional who helps people who have disabilities or injuries regain the skills they need to perform everyday activities. They work under the supervision of an occupational therapist to develop and carry out treatment plans that help patients improve their physical, cognitive, and emotional function.

Occupational therapy assistants may work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and nursing homes.

Surgical Technician

Hourly range $24.50 – $37.00
2-year degree required, available at Mount Hood Community College or Concorde Career College

A surgical technologist (also known as an operating room technician) is a healthcare professional who assists surgeons and other operating room personnel during surgical procedures. Surgical technologists are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including: preparing the operating room and surgical instruments, setting up the sterile field, draping the patient, passing instruments and supplies to the surgeon, monitoring the patient's vital signs, maintaining a sterile environment, cleaning and preparing instruments for sterilization and documenting the surgical procedure.

Surgical technologists must be highly skilled and knowledgeable in anatomy, physiology, and surgical procedures. They must also be able to work quickly and efficiently under pressure. Surgical technologists play an essential role in the operating room, and their skills and expertise help to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Hourly range $24.00 – $36.00
2-year degree required, available at TBCC through Portland Community College

A medical laboratory technician (MLT) is a healthcare professional who performs tests on body fluids, tissues, and cells to help physicians diagnose and treat diseases. They work in clinical laboratories in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. MLTs play an important role in the healthcare team. Their work helps physicians diagnose and treat diseases, and it can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. MLTs are essential to the delivery of quality healthcare.

Radiologic Imaging Technician

Limited Rad Tech hourly range $21.00 – 31.50
Rad Tech hourly range $31.00 – $47.00
22-month degree required, available at TBCC through Linn-Benton Community College

A radiographer performs radiographic procedures, applies principles of radiation protection, evaluates radiographers for technical quality, exercises professional judgment and provides patient care. Radiographers can find employment in hospitals, clinics, private offices, industry, and public health facilities.

Radiography is the art and science of using ionizing to provide images of tissues, organs, bones, and vessels that comprise the body. These images may be recorded on film or displayed on video monitor. Motion studies may also be produced.

Respiratory Care Practitioner

Hourly range $33.00 – $50.00
2-year degree required from Mt. Hood Community College or Concorde Career College

A respiratory care practitioner (RCP) is a healthcare professional who provides care to patients with respiratory problems. RCPs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and home health care. They perform a variety of tasks, including administering medications, providing oxygen therapy, performing diagnostic tests, educating patients and their families and providing respiratory support.

RCPs must have a strong understanding of the respiratory system and be able to assess and treat patients with a variety of respiratory conditions. They must also be able to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals.

CT Technician

Hourly range $33.00 – $50.00
2-year degree required from Portland Community College

A CT technologist, also known as a CT technician, is a healthcare professional who operates computed tomography (CT) scanners to create cross-sectional images of the body. These images can be used to diagnose a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. CT technologists work in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and other healthcare facilities.

The specific duties of a CT technologist vary depending on the setting and the type of CT scanner being used. However, some common duties include preparing the patient for the scan, positioning the patient on the CT scanner table, administering contrast media, if needed, operating the CT scanner, monitoring the patient during the scan and evaluating the images and reporting the findings to the radiologist.

Paramedic

Annual salary: $74,000 – $111,000
18-month training program required, available at TBCC fall 2024

A paramedic is a healthcare professional who provides emergency medical care to patients at the scene of an accident or illness. They are trained to assess a patient's condition, provide basic life support, and administer medications. Paramedics also work with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses and doctors, to provide care for patients in the hospital.

Paramedics typically work in teams of two, with one paramedic driving the ambulance and the other providing care to the patient. They may also work with other emergency personnel, such as police officers and firefighters.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Hourly range $43.00 – $64.50
2-year degree required, available at TBCC

RNs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and nursing homes. They may specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as pediatrics, oncology, or critical care. RNs play a vital role in the healthcare team. They are responsible for providing direct patient care, as well as for coordinating the care of patients with other healthcare professionals. RNs also play an important role in educating patients and their families about their health conditions.

Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist hourly range $41.00 – $62.00
- 33-month degree from Pacific University or George Fox University
Physical Therapist Assistant hourly range $27.00 – 41.00
- 2-year degree required from Lane Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Pacific University or Treasure Valley Community College

A physical therapist (PT) is a healthcare professional who helps people of all ages improve their movement and function. PTs use a variety of techniques, including exercise, manual therapy, and education, to help people recover from injuries or illness, improve their overall health and fitness, and prevent future injuries.

The specific duties of a PT vary depending on the setting and the patient's needs. However, some common duties include assessing the patient's condition, developing a treatment plan, implementing the treatment plan, monitoring the patient's progress and educating the patient. PTs play an important role in the healthcare team. They work with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists, to provide comprehensive care to patients.

Registered Dietitian (RD)

Hourly range $30.00 – $45.00
4-year degree required, available at Oregon State University

A registered dietitian (RD) is a food and nutrition expert who works with people to help them make healthy food choices and improve their overall health, provide medical nutrition therapy in settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities, or work in planning meal programs in food service settings including hospitals, cafeterias and food corporations. They assess individual needs, develop nutrition plans, and provide counseling and education to help people reach their health goals.

RDs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools and private practice. They may specialize in a particular area of nutrition, such as pediatric nutrition, sports nutrition or diabetes management.