Explore Career Pathways
Are you looking for a career with purpose? A career that makes a difference in the lives of others? Then a career in healthcare is waiting for you!
Whether you are fresh out of high school, looking to change careers or already working in healthcare, this career pathways guide breaks down some of the highest-demand careers in healthcare.
Learn about different roles within our healthcare organization, the education or certification required, what kind of person thrives in the role, and what kind of salary you can expect in Kentucky. We also understand that some are more comfortable than others with exposure to blood and bodily fluids, so we've included a guide designed to help you understand how much exposure different healthcare roles may have to blood, bodily fluids and/or invasive procedures.
Select a career below to start exploring and find an in-demand role that is right for you.
Consider a Career in Healthcare
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
State Registered Nurse Aids (SRNA also Certified Nursing Assistant or CNA) provide hands-on care to patients—helping with bathing, dressing, eating and mobility. They are physically active and may help lift or move patients. SRNAs/CNAs are the backbone of bedside care in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Most registered nurse programs in Kentucky require students to become SRNAs/CNAs before continuing their nursing courses.
- What education do I need?
- Required: State Registered Nurse Aid license
- Training program: 75-hours (classroom + clinical)
- Certification: pass the Kentucky Nurse Aide Competency Exam
- Time to complete: 4–8 weeks
- Cost estimate: $800–$1,000 (May be eligible for Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship)
- Who thrives in a State Registered Nurse Aid role?
Empathetic, physically strong and detail-oriented individuals who enjoy direct patient interaction. CNAs should also have strong critical thinking skills and decisive judgment, taking appropriate action to care for patients. - What is starting pay?
- $15.65/hour
- Potential career pathways: Many nursing programs require students earn their SRNA/CNA certification – making it a great steppingstone to becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪ (High exposure)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs provide basic nursing care—administering medications, monitoring vitals, and assisting with treatment plans under RN supervision. LPNs also evaluate the learning needs of patients and families and provide education based on the patient’s age, culture and willingness to learn.
- What education do I need?
- Required: Licensed Practical Nursing certification
- Training: 2 semesters (approx. 1 year)
- Certification: Pass NCLEX-PN exam
- Time to Complete: at least 12 months
- Cost Estimate: $5,300 (at Kentucky Community & Technical College System)
- Who thrives as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Compassionate multitaskers who enjoy structure, teamwork, and making a direct impact on patient health. LPNs must have strong skills for communicating with care teams and patients. - What is starting pay? $23.38/hour
- Potential career pathways: Licensed Practical Nurses might continue their education to become a registered nurse.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴🔴⚪⚪ (Moderate exposure)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses assess patients, administer treatments, educate families, and coordinate care. They’re the central figure in most healthcare teams.
- What will I do?
Registered Nurses assess patients, administer treatments, educate families, and coordinate care. They’re the central figure in most healthcare teams. - What education do I need?
- Required: Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN, 2 years) or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN, 4 years). All Owensboro Health nurses are required to get their bachelor’s degree in nursing within five years of their date of hire.
- Certification: Pass NCLEX-RN exam
- Time to complete: 2–5 years
- Cost estimate: ADN $8,000–$12,000; BSN $20,000–$30,000 or more (in-state, public universities)
- Owensboro Health has financial assistance programs in place to assist those who want to pursue a career in nursing. Learn more about the Nursing Development Program.
- Who thrives as a Registered Nurse?
Critical thinkers with strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and leadership potential. - What is starting pay?
$26.48/hour - Potential career pathways: Registered nurses have multiple career pathways available to them. They can advance into leadership roles such as lead charge nurse, nursing supervisor, director of nursing or director of clinical operations. Registered nurses can also become educators or become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by pursuing a master’s degree in nursing. These specialties include but are not limited to clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife and certified registered nurse anesthetist.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪ (High exposure)
Environmental Services Technician (EVS)
Environmental Services Techs maintain cleanliness and infection control in patient rooms, operating areas, and public spaces. They’re essential to hospital safety.
- What education do I need?
- Required: No formal education; on-the-job training provided
- Certification: None required
- Time to complete: Immediate employment possible
- Cost Estimate: $0 (training provided by employer)
- Who thrives in Environmental Services?
Detail-oriented, reliable individuals who take pride in creating safe, clean environments. - What is starting pay?
- $15.00/hour
- What are potential career pathways? You may choose to seek leadership roles within the department or use a job as an environmental services technician as a pathway to other careers within the hospital system.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴⚪⚪⚪⚪ (Low exposure)
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, or donations. They may also collect and process other clinical laboratory specimens for patient populations. They may also assist with specimen processing and pre-analytical testing functions. Phlebotomists work in labs, hospitals, and clinics. In an in-patient hospital setting, they may move frequently and among floors to draw blood from patients in their hospital rooms.
- What education do I need?
- Required: Training available upon hire
- Training: 7 weeks to 10 weeks
- Certification (not required, but preferred): CPT - Certified Phlebotomy Technician from National Health Career Association (NHA) preferred OR PBT - Certified Phlebotomy Technician through the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) preferred OR RPT - Phlebotomy Technician certification through American Medical Technologists (AMT) preferred AND
- Who thrives in Phlebotomy?
Calm, precise individuals with steady hands and strong interpersonal skills. - What is starting pay?
- $15.65/hour
- What are potential career pathways: Phlebotomists can earn additional wages for passing their certification exam. They can also progress to become medical laboratory assistants and technicians by completing an accredited associate’s degree program and passing the professional exam. They may also choose to become a medical laboratory scientist by completing a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪ (High exposure)
Medical Office Assistant
Medical Office Assistants handle both clinical and administrative tasks - taking vitals, prepping patients, scheduling appointments, and managing records. They may also be tasked with scheduling patients and communicating with different types of entities, such as referring agencies, insurance companies, patients, physicians and team members.
- What education do I need?
- Required: No education required
- Training/Certification: Medical Assisting through an accredited program is encouraged, but working medical assistants can also demonstrate their knowledge of electronic order entry through the Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry (ABR-OE).
- Certification: Individuals who graduate from an MA program can sit for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination, which is currently the only way to become “certified.” That said, working medical assistants can receive an official recognition of their qualifications to enter medication, laboratory and radiology orders through Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry.
- Time to Complete: 1–2 years.
- Cost Estimate: $3,000–$8,000 (in-state programs)
- Who thrives in Medical Assisting?
Organized multitaskers who enjoy variety, patient interaction, and a fast-paced environment. Individuals who are strong communicators who can think critically and have decisive judgment also thrive as medical office assistants. - What is starting pay?
- $15.65/hour
- Potential career path: Medical Office Assistants can specialize in areas such as cardiology or geriatrics. With experience and certifications, they can advance into supervisory roles such as clinical team lead or office manager.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴⚪⚪⚪ (Low to moderate exposure)
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing – for example, because of a chronic condition such as asthma.
- What education do I need?
- Required: At least an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy, although a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Respiratory therapists must also be licensed.
- Time to complete: approximately 2 years
- Cost: $9,000-$22,000
- What is starting pay?
- Respiratory Therapist Certified (CRT) is $23.38/hr
- Respiratory Therapist Registered (RRT) is $26.48/hr
- Potential career pathways: Respiratory therapists can specialize in areas such as neonatal care, adult critical care or pulmonary rehabilitation. They can also advance to supervisory or managerial positions or become educators
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪ (high exposure)
Radiologic Technologist (RT)
Radiologic Technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x-rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. Radiologic and MRI technologists prepare patients for imaging procedures and follow precise orders from physicians on what areas of the body to image.
They operate computerized equipment to take the images, then work with physicians to evaluate the images and to determine whether additional images need to be taken.
Radiologic technologists can specialize in the use of different types of diagnostic equipment, such as in x-ray, mammography or computed tomography (CT) imaging. MRI technologists specialize in magnetic resonance imaging scanners.
They inject patients with contrast media, such as a dye, so that the images will show up on the scanner.
- What education do I need?
- Core education required: Associate degree in Radiologic Technology
- Additional modalities:
- CT: On-the-job + certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
- MRI: Additional coursework + pass the ARRT exam in the specialization.
- Mammography: Specialized training + pass the ARRT exam in the specialization
- Time to complete: 2 years (base); +6–12 months for modalities
- Cost: $10,000–$15,000 (in-state)
- Who thrives as a Radiologic Technologist?
Tech-savvy, detail-oriented professionals with strong anatomical knowledge. - What is starting pay?
- $23.38/hour
- Potential career pathways:
- Radiologic technologists can advance into supervisory or administrative roles, overseeing imaging departments and managing staff. Specializing in areas like MRI, CT, or mammography often come with higher salaries and increased job opportunities.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴⚪⚪⚪ (Low to moderate exposure)
Surgical Technologist (ST)
Before an operation, surgical technologists prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment. They prepare sterile solutions and medications used in surgery and ready patients for the surgery.
During an operation, surgical technologists pass the sterile instruments and supplies to surgeons and first assistants. They might hold retractors, hold internal organs in place during the procedure, or set up robotic surgical instruments.
Once the operation is complete, surgical technologists may apply bandages and other dressings to the incision site. Surgical assistants have a hands-on role, directly assisting surgeons during a procedure. For example, they may help to suction the incision site or suture a wound.
- What education do I need?
- Required: a certificate or diploma from an accredited program, typically certification preferred (NBSTSA)
- Time: 12–24 months
- Cost: $6K–$12K
- Who thrives as a Surgical Technologist?
Focused, fast-thinking individuals who work well under pressure. Surgical technologists must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action with decisive judgment. - What is starting pay?
- $27.30/hour
- Potential career paths: Surgical technicians can advance to become Surgical Assistants or continue their education to become a Surgical First Assistant or Registered Nurse specializing in surgical care (Surgical Registered Nurse).
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: đź”´đź”´đź”´đź”´đź”´ (High exposure)
Ultrasound Technician (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer)
Ultrasound technologists operate ultrasound equipment to create images of inside the body, typically in hospitals and physician offices. They may specialize in imaging a patient’s abdominal cavity, breast tissue, or even a patient’s heart (echocardiographers). Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in imaging the female reproductive system.
- What education will I need?
- Required: Associate’s degree or higher in science required up on hire OR Diploma, Associate’s degree or higher in related field
- Additional education information: A combination of education, training and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
- Licensure/Certification/Registration:
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer required upon hire OR
- RT(S) - Registered Radiological Technologist in Sonography required upon hire AND
- BLS - Certified as a Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider required within 90 days of employment in this position.
- Who thrives as a Sonographer?
Individuals with excellent communication skills, empathy, strong patient care abilities and knowledge of human anatomy and physiology thrive in the role of sonographer. - What is starting pay? 28.87/hour
- Potential career path: Becoming an ultrasound technician may lead to advancement opportunities such as becoming a Lead Sonographer, Supervisor or Manager. Some may also choose to specialize in a specific area of sonography such as obstetric, vascular or abdominal. With experience and continued professional development, one may also move into related roles such as an educator, researcher or consultant. Careers.aamcn.org
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: 🔴🔴⚪⚪⚪ (Low exposure)
Medical Laboratory Scientist
A Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) also known as Medical Technologist, is responsible for analyzing and performing tests on a variety of biological samples. Medical laboratory scientists maintain and operate complex laboratory equipment and microscopes to obtain invaluable results that are reported to physicians. The results obtained by the MLS are used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases like cancers, diabetes, heart disease and other medical conditions.
- What education will I need?
- Required: Students may use the 3 + 1 route if enrolled in an affiliated college as a medical laboratory science major. Another route is to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or chemistry, in order to obtain the required prerequisites for the medical laboratory science program as a 4 + 1 student.
- Certification: Upon completion of the NAACLS accredited program, one must sit for the Medical Laboratory Science Board of Certification Exam through a NAACLS recognized association (ASCP or AMT)
- Potential career pathways: MLS specialist (microbiology, hematology, molecular biology, chemistry or blood bank) laboratory supervisor, laboratory manager, laboratory director, laboratory IT, educator, quality assurance, outreach coordinator, researcher, blood center specialist. Learn more about our Medical Laboratory Scientist Program.
- Who thrives as a Medical Laboratory Scientist?
- Individuals who have strong communication skills, attention to detail and who love research and science but prefer to have little-to-no interaction with patients thrive in the role of medical laboratory scientists.
- What is starting pay? $26.48/hour
- Potential career pathways: MLS specialist (microbiology, hematology, molecular biology, chemistry or blood bank) laboratory supervisor, laboratory manager, laboratory director, laboratory IT, educator, quality assurance, outreach coordinator, researcher, blood center specialist.
- Blood & Bodily Fluids Meter: đź”´đź”´đź”´đź”´đź”´ (High exposure)
Additional Resources
- Learn about Career Advancement and Education opportunities available through Owensboro Health.
- Learn more from the Kentucky Hospital Association about Allied Health Professions - KYHA.
- Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship covers tuition for many programs.
- Owensboro Health offers tuition reimbursement for eligible team members through its Education Benefits program.
- Learn more about the federal public service loan forgiveness program.
- Visit Owensboro Health Careers for current openings.
- To apply for job shadowing opportunities at an Owensboro Health facility, visit our student opportunity page at Owensboro Health Careers
- Kentucky Hospital Association Health Care Student Scholarship tool: Health Care Student Scholarships - KYHA
- The Vicki M. Stogsdill Nursing Award: A $5,000 semester award for a UofL BSN graduate who demonstrates exceptional learning, clinical excellence and servant‑leadership.
- See how we are partnering with HealthForce Kentucky and local colleges.
Let's Talk
Leigh Ann Tipton
Career Pathways Coordinator
270-685-7705
Email: LeighAnn.Tipton
@owensborohealth.org