Top 5 In-Demand Healthcare Careers You Can Train for in a Year

Start Your Healthcare Career Fast with Mission Career College

The healthcare field is expanding rapidly, and so are the career opportunities within it. With rising demand for trained professionals and a national push for skilled entry-level workers, there’s never been a better time to step into healthcare—and you don’t need to spend years in school to do it.

At Mission Career College, we specialize in accelerated, job-focused training programs that prepare you for real work in under 12 months. Whether you’re switching careers or entering the workforce for the first time, these five in-demand healthcare roles can help you get there—fast.

1. Medical Assistant

Estimated Training Time: 6–9 months
Average Salary (U.S.): $37,000 – $50,000 per year

What They Do:
Medical Assistants play a dual role in healthcare—working on both the clinical and administrative sides of medical offices, hospitals, and urgent care centers. You might take patient histories, assist during exams, handle lab specimens, or coordinate front-desk tasks like scheduling and billing.

Why It’s In Demand:
Physicians are relying more on trained support staff to handle rising patient volumes. MAs with real-world training and certification are in high demand.

What You’ll Learn at MCC:

• Clinical procedures (vitals, injections, EKGs)
• Front office admin
• Medical terminology
• Patient communication and HIPAA compliance

2. Phlebotomy Technician

Estimated Training Time: 4–6 months
Average Salary (U.S.): $34,000 – $47,000 per year

What They Do:
Phlebotomists draw blood for lab testing, medical procedures, and donations. They ensure samples are collected, labeled, and handled correctly—a critical role in patient diagnostics and care.

Why It’s In Demand:
With an increased need for lab testing and outpatient services, skilled phlebotomists are being hired rapidly by hospitals, blood banks, and labs.

What You’ll Learn at MCC:

• Venipuncture techniques
• Safety and infection control
• Patient interaction and ethics
• Specimen handling and labeling

3. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Estimated Training Time: 4–8 weeks
Average Salary (U.S.): $30,000 – $42,000 per year

What They Do:
CNAs provide essential, hands-on care to patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. They assist with bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility—serving as the eyes and ears of the nursing staff.

Why It’s In Demand:
As the aging population grows, demand for CNAs continues to rise. They’re vital to patient support and often form lasting bonds with those they care for.

What You’ll Learn at MCC:

• Daily patient care routines
• Infection prevention
• CPR and first aid
• Effective patient communication

4. EKG Technician

Estimated Training Time: 3–6 months
Average Salary (U.S.): $35,000 – $50,000 per year

What They Do:
Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technicians perform diagnostic tests to help physicians assess heart health. You’ll use specialized machines to monitor heart rhythms and detect cardiac irregularities.

Why It’s In Demand:
With increased heart health awareness and cardiovascular screening, EKG techs are now a staple in hospitals and outpatient clinics.

What You’ll Learn at MCC:

• Cardiac anatomy and physiology
• How to operate and maintain EKG equipment
• Patient prep and monitoring
• Reading and interpreting heart tracings

5. Medical Billing & Coding Specialist

Estimated Training Time: 6–9 months
Average Salary (U.S.): $40,000 – $60,000+ per year

What They Do:
Billing and coding specialists convert medical procedures into standardized codes for insurance and billing purposes. It’s a detail-oriented role with opportunities to work on-site or remotely.

Why It’s In Demand:
As healthcare services expand, accurate billing becomes more important. Certified professionals help ensure providers are paid properly and patients are billed correctly.

What You’ll Learn at MCC:

• ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems
• Insurance claims processing
• Electronic health records (EHR)
• Medical law and ethics

Why Mission Career College?

At MCC, we’re focused on real training for real jobs. Our programs are designed with your life in mind—short timelines, flexible scheduling, and hands-on learning from experienced instructors who’ve worked in the field.

Here's What Sets Us Apart:

• Accelerated Programs: Graduate in months, not years
• In-Person Instruction: Get hands-on training in real lab settings
• Career Support: Resume help, interview prep, and job placement assistance
• Financial Aid: Available for those who qualify
• Small Class Sizes: Personalized attention and real mentorship

Launch Your Career in Less Than a Year

You don’t need a 4-year degree to work in healthcare. With Mission Career College, you can start your journey in weeks and graduate with the skills employers are actively seeking.

Whether your goal is to work directly with patients, behind the scenes in billing, or in diagnostics, we have a program that fits your passion—and your timeline.

Now Enrolling — Let’s Get Started

Your future in healthcare is closer than you think.
Classes are starting soon across all programs. Don’t wait.