Healthcare Support Services Pathway
Does your student like to work with people? Do they enjoy solving problems? Are they a good communicator? Then a career in healthcare support services may be an excellent path to pursue.
Support services encompass both technical and professional careers and are vital for the delivery of health care. Careers in this area help provide a welcoming and safe environment for patients and the public. Without jobs in this sector, we would not have properly functioning hospitals, surgery centers, emergency transport services, laboratories, etc.
The Healthcare Support Services Pathway program from Stride Career Prep* can lead to a variety of careers in healthcare, including customer service representatives, massage therapists, medical appliance technicians, healthcare social workers, and mental health and substance abuse counselors.
Gain real-world skills through project-based learning.
Stride Career Prep has implemented project-based learning (PBL) for a number of courses in this pathway. PBL curriculum is designed to hone students' problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and team collaboration skills. Students who choose this pathway gain a broad understanding of healthcare and hospital operations. It's a hands-on curriculum packed with case studies and practical exercises that prepares them to take the exams for the necessary credentials to head directly to a job or pursue a degree program in public health, nutrition, or health administration.
Our Healthcare Support Services Pathway Curriculum in Detail
All our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes that Healthcare Support Services Pathway students take. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Note: Pathway courses are subject to change.
†New in fall 2022
Get credentialed
In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications provide a credible, third-party assessment of a student's skills and knowledge of a given subject. In this pathway, students can prepare to take these industry-recognized certification exams:**
Get ahead of the competition
We encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to working health care professionals through Nepris.***
Find a school near you that offers education and training.
Stride Career Prep programs with the Healthcare Support Services Pathway are available in our tuition-free Stride K12-powered, fully accredited, public online schools in the following states:
WISCONSIN
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin
Don't see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in the Healthcare Support Services Pathway. There are also tuition-free options in related fields like Nursing and Patient Care.
Choose a career. Prepare for the future.
Students in this pathway can prepare for a wide variety of careers in the field of healthcare support services, including:
Healthcare Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives interact with patients and their families in person and on the phone. They provide information, resolve complaints, and elevate concerns to managers and supervisors. Customer service representatives need to be able to quickly survey vast amount of information to answer questions. Exceptional verbal communication skills are essential.
2020 Median Salary
$35,830
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Slower than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on January 24, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/customer-service-representatives.htm.
Massage Therapist
Massage therapists massage and manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. While often performed to assist in relaxation, whether in a spa, clinic, hotel, or fitness center, massage therapists' services are increasingly becoming integrated into therapeutic services, which means that demand is increasing in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
2020 Median Salary
$43,620
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Much faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Post secondary license or certificate; requirements vary by state
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on January 24, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm.
Nutritionist
Nutritionists advise clients on what and how much to eat to improve health, maintain or attain a healthy weight, and manage any chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or gluten sensitivity. They often work in hospitals or nursing homes, but they may also work in a private medical practice or directly with their own clients.
2020 Median Salary
$63,090
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on January 24, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm.
Medical Equipment Repairer
Medical equipment repairers install, maintain, and repair patient care equipment. Although medical equipment repairers usually work during the day, they are sometimes expected to be on call, including evenings and weekends. Because repairing vital medical equipment is urgent, the work is sometimes stressful.
2020 Median Salary
$51,610
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Associate's degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on January 24, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm.
Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers
Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being. Community health workers promote wellness by helping people adopt healthy behaviors. Health education specialists and community health workers are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
2020 Median Salary
$48,140
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Much faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on January 24, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm.
Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers, often referred to as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, oversee the provision of medical and health services. They may manage an entire facility (such as a hospital or nursing home), a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice. They are responsible for managing the facility's finances, including billing and relations with insurance companies; ensuring the facility complies with all legal and regulatory requirements; and recruiting and supervising staff. They manage the "business side" of healthcare provision.
2020 Median Salary
$104,280
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Much faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on January 24, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
FAQs
Do you need a college degree to work in healthcare?
Many healthcare support services careers do not require a college degree, including customer service representatives and medical equipment preparers. Some jobs, like massage therapist, require you to be certified. And careers in healthcare social work or mental health workers may require a bachelor's degree or master's degree.
How can you prepare for a career in healthcare support services? What classes should you take in high school?
You can prepare for a career in healthcare support services while still in high school by taking courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and—if the high school offers this option—special classes in social services and public health. One of the best things to do while in high school is working or volunteering in a hospital, nursing care facility, doctor's office, or another medical setting.
In our Healthcare Support Services Pathway, students take classes in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, plus medical office procedures, human and social services, and public health.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. At some schools, career exploration is offered in middle school.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
***Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
