Jobs That Help People

by Erin Shelby

Are you looking for a job that helps others? If so, you have many options. While some careers require lots of schooling before entering the field, there are some jobs that don't require lots of training before you can start working, earning a paycheck, and helping others.

What is a pharmacy technician?

If your doctor has ever given you a prescription for the cold, flu, or even a chronic illness, you’ve used the services of a pharmacy. A pharmacy technician is the assistant to the pharmacist, who is ultimately responsible for all the prescriptions that patients take home. Pharmacy technicians help people because they help alleviate pain and prevent those with chronic conditions from experiencing further suffering.

Working under the supervision of at least one licensed pharmacist, you’ll assist with a variety of tasks. Customer service – such as answering phones and accepting payments for prescriptions – is part of the job. You’ll also be helping the pharmacist by counting pills and placing labels on bottles, before he or she does the final check to confirm that the contents inside are accurate.

Pharmacy technician jobs are available at locally owned drugstores, big box stores, hospitals and mail order pharmacy companies. These positions are advertised on job boards online.

What is a preschool teacher?

Before children go to kindergarten, they can learn academic basics, social skills, table manners, and how to share in one place: preschool. Being a preschool teacher means making an important contribution to many children.

As a preschool teacher, you may only work for a few hours in the morning or you may work all day with the same group of students. Preschool programs vary in their hours as well as how they believe children should be taught. During playtime, naptime, meals, and restroom breaks, you’ll ensure each child remains safe so they can learn and socialize.

The types of jobs vary as does the pay. Preschools that pay close to minimum wage will not expect you to have a degree, but those that pay more (such as public schools) will require you to have a degree. Take a look at the listings in your area for “teacher” or “preschool teacher”, and see what qualifications are required.

What is a medical appointment scheduler?

When you go to the doctor, he or she isn't sitting behind the front desk waiting for your arrival, but someone else is, and that person may be the person who scheduled your appointment. Medical appointment schedulers – sometimes referred to as customer service representatives – coordinate the details so your physician can focus on providing your care.

Working as an appointment scheduler for a major hospital could be significantly different from working for a small private practice supporting one doctor or group of doctors. However, electronic medical records (also known as EMR) are becoming an important part of the job. If you’d like to work with patients as a medical appointment scheduler, you need to be comfortable working with a computer and multi-tasking. In some workplaces, appointment scheduling is done over the phone in a call center environment.

Where do you go for healthcare in your area? Find a job scheduling medical appointments at one of the following places:

• Hospitals- those for adults, children or burn victims
• Specialty clinics (those that focus on dermatology, urology, etc.)
• Cosmetic medical offices (such as Lifestyle Lift® or other patented companies)
• Clinics for people in financial need
• Dental offices
• Any other place where adults or children go for medical care