Healthcare is more than just a potential career for you— it’s a calling. From providing comfort and peace of mind to patients during difficult moments to advocating for their needs when they’re unable to, the job goes way beyond the coursework you complete. However, one thing that scares off some potential healthcare professionals is the heavy math and science that go with their studies. If that’s you, then you’re in luck: We have a list of fulfilling and in-demand healthcare careers that don’t require math or chemistry.
If you aren’t the biggest fan of numbers or just can’t get excited about chemical reactions, one of these roles may be the perfect fit for you. Keep reading to find out more about the healthcare careers that don’t require math or chem, what the responsibilities are, and how much you can make.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Medical billing and coding specialists handle patient files and bills, ensuring that procedures are coded correctly for insurance purposes and reimbursement. Most billers and coders complete a certificate or diploma program to gain the knowledge of billing and coding systems required for the job. Medical billing and coding specialists serve as gatekeepers for access to patient information, so confidentiality is important to the job.
Program Curriculum: While medical billing and coding specialists typically take a medical terminology course, most medical billing and coding programs are focused on learning how to properly understand and code procedures and diagnoses for patient records and billing. You’ll draw on your analytical skills and you’ll need to be detailed oriented to be successful. You’ll also deal with the public, other medical professionals, and insurance companies — but you won’t deal with math or chemistry.
Average Annual Salary: $48,780
Medical Transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists listen to recordings of doctors dictating observations, medical histories, physical exams, and discharge instructions and then transcribe these recordings into written form. Becoming a medical transcriptionist doesn’t require a specific degree, although a high school diploma or GED are generally considered necessary. Most employers require a certification from an accredited medical transcription training program, which takes six months to complete. These programs almost never require any math or chemistry.
Program Curriculum: Many medical transcription programs are offered online, giving you the flexibility to study according to your own schedule. You’ll need to understand some healthcare basics, so most medical transcription programs include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, English grammar and punctuation, and laws related to healthcare documentation.
Average Annual Salary: $37,060
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are medical personnel who perform venipuncture, which is the drawing of blood from a vein or an artery. Phlebotomists may also have other specimen collection duties, depending on their specific job. Technically, you only need a high school diploma or GED to become a phlebotomist in most states, but almost all employers require completion of a phlebotomist certification program. These programs rarely include a math component and typically never include chemistry.
Program Curriculum:Outstanding phlebotomy programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and technical schools and typically take less than a year to complete. The coursework focuses on anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and laboratory procedures. You’ll need a blend of technical skills to draw the actual specimen and good bedside manner in explaining procedures to patients who are sometimes quite anxious.
Average Annual Salary: $41,810
Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound technicians use sound waves to examine internal body structures or a developing fetus in the womb. Becoming an ultrasound technician generally requires an associate or bachelor’s degree specifically in diagnostic medical sonography. The prerequisites for this degree usually don’t require math, but if they do, it’s typically only one basic course. Chemistry is normally not required at all in ultrasound tech programs.
Program Curriculum: You’ll need to know lots about the human body, so the coursework to become an ultrasound technician focuses on anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and applied sciences. You’ll need to be detail oriented and precise to get high quality images and be comfortable operating complex machinery and computerized instruments.
Average Annual Salary: $80,850
Health Information Technician
This job is closer to the information technology (IT) field, so while it’s full of science, that science isn’t chemistry and, thankfully, minimal math. Health information technicians help determine the best computerized healthcare systems, evaluate and support their implementation, compile data, and generate reports. Most jobs require an associate degree, but some require a bachelor’s or master’s degree, depending on the level of responsibility and size of the health system.
Program Curriculum: To work as a health information technician, your degree could be in health information management or it might be in IT. Your coursework will include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, computer applications, English composition, and medical pathology. While there aren’t any chemistry classes on the list, you may have to take a college algebra or probability and statistics class. These will be tailored to your major, which many non-math-loving students find more relatable and more worthwhile, especially given the salary that goes along with this field.
Average Annual Salary: $62,990
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants work with doctors to provide support services that don’t require a medical license. Medical assistants take patients’ histories; perform basic tests such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate; assist doctors during procedures; and administer medications in some situations. Becoming a medical assistant doesn’t require a degree, but it does require completing a certification program that will typically take six to nine months. The certification may involve some simple math covering medication dosages. Chemistry isn’t typically addressed in a medical assistant certification program.
Program Curriculum: Your classes will focus on medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical law and ethics, administrative office procedures, exam room procedures, and laboratory procedures. You may also be required to complete a practicum or internship. You’ll be working directly with patients, so strong interpersonal skills are a must.
Average Annual Salary: $42,000
Occupational Therapy Aide
Occupational therapy aides work under the direction of occupational therapists to prepare treatment rooms, set up equipment, greet clients, handle paperwork, answer phones, and monitor inventory. The job doesn’t require formal training; typically, occupational therapy aides learn on the job in medical offices, hospitals, and nursing care facilities. Math and chemistry don’t play a major role in this job. For those considering this career, it may be worth noting that OT assistant roles offer a higher pay and only require an associate degree.
Program Curriculum: Because occupational therapy aides are trained on the job, every job is a little different. A solid high school education is enough to get you started. You’ll draw on your interpersonal skills as you work with clients and medical professionals, your detail orientation as you precisely follow the orders of an occupational therapist, and your physical strength to lift, move, and assist clients.
Average Annual Salary: $36,970
Radiology Technologist
Radiologic techs are responsible for helping perform imaging studies such as X-rays, MRIs, and CAT scans. These professionals prepare patients for these exams, perform the exams, maintain the equipment, and communicate with the physician reviewing the results to ensure the test was performed correctly. Becoming a radiologic technologist requires either an associate or a bachelor’s degree in radiography from a traditional or online radiology tech program. Some courses may have a math prerequisite and you’ll need to calculate amounts of radiation. Other than that, math and chemistry aren’t typically a major part of a radiography degree.
Program Curriculum: To become a radiology technologist, you’ll spend your time in classes covering medical terminology, integrative care, radiologic physics, image analysis, radiologic procedures, and radiation protection. These courses paired with good interpersonal and technical skills can give you the practical and theoretical knowledge to become an outstanding radiology technologist.
Average Annual Salary: $76,020
Home Health Aide
Home health aides work closely with clients who have disabilities or chronic illnesses or who are of an advanced age, helping these individuals complete their daily tasks. The responsibilities include bathing and dressing, housekeeping, arranging medical appointments, shopping, and engaging with the client to keep their faculties sharp. Math and chemistry don’t play a big role in a home health aide’s job.
Program Curriculum: Some employers expect you to complete a certificate or diploma program, while others may be prepared to do on-the-job training. If you enroll in a program either in person or online, you’ll focus on safety issues, such as safety around the home and safety related to bloodborne pathogens; home care fundamentals, including communication, cleanliness, and food guidelines; and specialized care.
Average Annual Salary: $33,530
Sterile Processing Technician
If you enjoy working in a lab, a job as a sterile processing technician may be a good fit. You’ll learn to properly disinfect, store, and process equipment for patient care. You’ll work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure both patients and staff are not exposed to harmful pathogens or increased risk of infection.
Program Curriculum: In most cases you’ll need a high school diploma or GED to pursue a sterile processing technician training course, which takes about three months. Your classes will focus on sterilization, disinfection, storage, inventory, and quality assurance. The classes are hands on and practical, with little need for math or chemistry in your studies.
Average Annual Salary: $47,410
