Career guides for allied health professionals: jobs, pay, resumes, interviews, and next steps after certification. Salary figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Popular guides

Ready to train? See ACT’s online medical assistant (CCMA) program.

Student receiving hands-on patient care training in a clinical setting as part of clinical certification programs for pre-med students.

Best Hands-On Clinical Certification Programs for Pre-med Students

Finding the right clinical certification program for pre-med students can be challenging, especially when so many programs promise the same results.
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Healthcare professional preparing patient records before starting a first healthcare job

How Long Does It Take ACT Graduates to Find Their First Healthcare Job?

Getting your first healthcare job is an exciting milestone, but many students wonder how long the process will take after graduation.
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Student in medical scrubs completing an online medical assistant certification program on a laptop while studying from home.

Can You Earn a Medical Assistant Certification While Working Full-Time?

Earning a medical assistant certification while working full-time is possible, and many people do it successfully.
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Medical assistant salary by state comparison showing a medical assistant working on a laptop with a U.S. map displayed in the background.

Medical Assistant Salary by State (2026)

Medical assistant salary by state varies widely across the country.
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Medical assistant vs pharmacy technician career comparison showing a medical assistant checking a patient’s blood pressure in a healthcare clinic.

Medical Assistant vs Pharmacy Technician: Which Career Is Right for You?

Medical Assistant vs Pharmacy Technician is a common comparison for people exploring entry-level healthcare careers.
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Fast healthcare careers in a modern outpatient healthcare clinic with Medical Assistants supporting patients and administrative operations.

6 Healthcare Careers You Can Start in Less Than a Year

Fast healthcare careers are appealing to more people who want stable jobs without spending years in school.
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Healthcare extern completing hands-on clinical training with a patient during a healthcare externship program in a modern medical clinic.

Why Healthcare Externships Are Becoming the New Hiring Filter

Breaking into healthcare has become more competitive than many students expect, and healthcare externships are becoming a bigger part of the conversation.
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Diverse healthcare staff collaborating in a clinical setting while gaining experience, representing how to get healthcare experience in the U.S. as an international student

How to Get Healthcare Experience in the U.S. as an International Student

If you’re wondering how to get healthcare experience in the U.S. as an international student, you’re not alone.
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Diverse healthcare trainees using computers during EHR training online in a modern clinical classroom setting

EHR Training Online for Beginners: How to Learn Medical Charting Before Your First Job

If you’re looking for EHR training online, you’re already taking a smart first step toward a healthcare career.
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Medical assistant in clinic showing what hiring managers look for in entry-level medical assistants

What Hiring Managers Look for in Entry-Level Medical Assistants (And How to Stand Out Fast)

What hiring managers look for in entry-level medical assistants comes down to four things: clinical experience, certification, job-ready skills, and strong communication.
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do externships help you get a healthcare job medical trainee gaining hands-on clinical experience with a patient in a real healthcare setting

Do Externships Help You Get a Healthcare Job? Here’s What Matters

Do externships help you get a healthcare job? Yes. They’re often the difference between getting hired and getting overlooked.
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How to get clinical experience for pre med students shown through healthcare professionals performing blood draw, EKG monitoring, patient care, and clinical tasks in a modern clinic.

Best Certifications for Pre Med: Get Clinical Experience Fast (2026)

If you’re a pre-med student, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to get clinical experience for pre med applications.
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