How Do I Become a Health Technician?

When you want to become a health technician, you may find many types of jobs that are available to you. The training you will need to pursue a health technician career generally depends on the particular job you seek and the employer who is offering it. In most cases, however, you will have to earn a high school diploma and then go on to complete a specialized training program to become a health technician. Often, these programs end with the granting of an associate's degree, though some may end with certificates instead. You can most likely find the program you need at a community college or a vocational school.

When you are planning to become a health technician, it is critical that you choose a school that is accredited and well respected. This is important because a school that meets this criteria is likely to provide you with an adequate education and prepare you well for a health technician career. Likewise, you may have an easier time landing your first job as a health care technician if your prospective employer knows you were trained by a legitimate, well-respected school.

If there are organizations in your area that offer certification, you may do well to earn it as well. While you may secure a job without becoming certified, seeking certification can benefit you in a couple of ways. First, prospective employers may be more likely to hire you if you are certified. Second, you might enjoy a higher starting salary if you obtain certification. Certification requirements vary, but often include the completion of an accredited education and training program and achieving passing scores on an exam.

Once you have completed the education and training required to become a health technician, you will have to secure your first job. You often can find openings in hospitals and health care facilities as well as in private medical offices. Having a detailed resume and cover letter may prove helpful when you are applying for a job. You can search for job listings in the help-wanted section of your local newspaper, but that isn't the only way you can find a job — often, online job boards are a good source of information about health care jobs, and many employers will allow you to submit your job application online.

After gaining experience as a health care technician, you may desire higher pay and more responsibility. In such a case, going back to school to earn a four-year degree may prove helpful. Some employers even offer tuition assistance to technicians who decide to further their educations.