A career as a medical assistant does not require a certificate or degree, however obtaining one or the other helps increase your chance of getting a job. Programs vary in length, but generally take one to two years. These schools provide hands-on training for skills you will need for the job. Some of the tasks you learn in medical assistant schools are filing, drawing blood and taking patients' vitals.
The type of nursing school you choose will depend on what type of nurse you want to become. You might choose a career as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or a registered nurse (RN). LVNs typically train for one year and work under an RN. RNs typically train for two or more years, earning either an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing. Schools typically teach a certain amount of coursework in subjects such as anatomy and biology coupled with hands-on training at hospitals and clinics.
Schools for radiographers range from one-year certificate programs to four-year bachelor's degree programs. The amount of training often depends on how specialized your field will be. For instance, learning to be a radiation therapist requires more school than an X-ray technician. Radiography schools teach subjects such as anatomy, medical terminology and patient care. Part of the training is hands-on, teaching students how to operate radiography equipment, safety precautions and administering dyes.
Sonographers use machines that emit high frequency waves that create images. These images may be of fetuses or organs. Sonographers may work in diagnostic fields, where the images they create help locate or rule out illnesses. They may also work in the obstetric field, performing routine checks for pregnant women. These schools usually offer two-year associate's degrees in the sonography field. Students learn subjects such as physiology, pathology and medical ethics. Students also receive hands-on training where they learn skills such as properly positioning patients and interpreting images.