Top Hot jobs under this field

Community Health Aide

• Have math and English skills at or beyond the sixth grade level.
• Complete a series of basic training sessions and a clinical preceptorship.
• Provide proof of current emergency trauma technician or emergency medical technician training/certification.
• Complete a period of supervised clinical training.
• Usually be a local resident who intends to remain in the village.
• Be employed by a tribal health organization that operates a CHA program. The basic CHA training series, which consists of 15 weeks divided into four sessions, typically takes about 14 months to complete. CHAs are paid a salary during their training, which is offered at four regional centers across the state. CHAs may complete additional clinical requirements and take an exam to become a CHP. CHAs and CHPs may also work toward an associate of applied science degree.

Physician Assistant

• Complete at least two years of undergraduate coursework in the sciences; some PA programs require a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. • Graduate from an accredited PA program.
• Pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam.
• Obtain a PA license from the Alaska State Medical Board. Earning a bachelor’s degree typically takes four to five years, and PA programs take an additional two years to complete. Near the end of your training, you’ll participate in supervised work experience. It’s important to note most PA programs require applicants to have previous health care experience. Some PAs begin their careers as community health aides

Family Physician

• Earn a bachelor’s degree. Be sure to get high grades and take courses required for admission to medical school.
• Graduate from medical school and complete an internship.
• Pass a state licensing exam.
• Complete a residency program in family and general medicine.
• May pass additional exams to become board-certified. All together, it takes approximately 11 years of education after high school to become a family physician. Earning a bachelor’s degree takes approximately four years, medical school takes another four years, and residency programs usually last three years. Through WWAMI, Alaska’s medical school, you can complete three of your four years of medical school right here in Alaska

All need a high School Diploma or GED

Community Health Aide: Median Annual Wage $29,386  

Physician Assistant: Median Annual Wage $100,000 – $150,000  

Family Physician: Median Annual Wage $180,000 – $300,000

Top hot jobs under this field

Medical Assistant

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Graduate from a medical assisting program.
• May take a certification exam.
• Medical assisting programs typically offer either a certificate or an associate’s degree. Certificates usually take about one year of full time study after high school, and associate’s degrees typically take two years. After graduation, medical assistants can also become certified by taking a certification exam.

Pharmacy Technician

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Complete on-the-job training or a formal training program.
• Be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English.
• Have an active Alaska State Pharmacy Technician License.
• May become nationally certified. Employers often prefer applicants who have completed formal training. Formal pharmacy technician programs offer either certificates or associate’s degrees. Certificates usually take one year of full-time study, and associate’s degrees typically take two years. While not required, pharmacy technicians may also earn national certification by taking an exam.

Pharmacist

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English.
• Complete at least two years of accredited college work prior to entering pharmacy school.
• Graduate from a four-year pharmacy school with a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
• May need to complete a residency after graduation.
• Complete a 1,500-hour internship under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
• Pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE).
• Obtain an Alaska pharmacist license.
• Complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. After high school, it takes approximately six years of education to become a pharmacist, including two years of college-level, pre-pharmacy courses and four years of pharmacy school. Some pharmacists choose to pursue advanced degrees, such as master’s degrees or doctorates. While there are currently no pharmacy programs in Alaska, planning has begun to bring and host programs in the state. A pre-pharmacy program is also under development. Learn more by reviewing the “training providers” section later in this publication.

Medical Assistant: Median Annual Wage $35,000 – $47,000  

Pharmacy Technician: Median Annual Wage $32,000 – $49,000  

Pharmacist: Median Annual Wage $140,000 – $170,000

Top hot jobs under this field

Health Educator

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Earn at least a bachelor’s degree, usually in community health education, health education, public health education, or school health education.
• Many health educators also go on to earn a master’s degree, and some complete a doctoral degree program. Getting a bachelor’s degree takes about four years of full-time study after high school. A master’s degree usually takes five to six years, and a doctoral degree typically takes about 10 years.

Health Educator: Median Annual Wage $56,000 – $91,000