This Illinois Career & Education Resource Hub includes links to trusted state agencies, healthcare organizations, training providers, and workforce resources. Some links may briefly open a Google security or redirect page before continuing to the external site. This is normal and helps protect users when leaving this site.
Use these tools to explore healthcare roles, job duties, and education requirements.
Explore Healthcare Careers – A free, student-friendly career search tool with descriptions of dozens of health professions, education pathways, and interactive filters to match interests with jobs. Explore Healthcare Careers – ExploreYourFuture in Healthcare
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Start Your Career – Overview of healthcare jobs, demand trends, pathways to start work (including while in school), and tips on how to begin in the field. Start Your Career in Healthcare (HHS)
Health Care Career Exploring – A hands-on youth program that introduces students (grades 6–20) to healthcare careers, including experiential learning and networking with professionals. Health Care Career Exploring Program
Pathways to Healthcare Careers (SWCAHEC) – Information on programs that help students connect with healthcare training, mentoring, and career activities. Healthcare Career Pathways – SWCAHEC
O*NET Online – A comprehensive U.S. database where students can search healthcare job profiles, required skills, typical duties, education levels, and salary data — useful for exploring a wide range of healthcare occupations. O*NET Online Occupational Database
EduMed Resources for Healthcare Students – Guides on essential topics like navigating education, managing stress, financial planning for healthcare programs, and tips for success in medical training. EduMed Healthcare Student Resources
AAMC Premed Navigator – Virtual Career Exploration – Opportunities to participate in virtual career fairs and learn about fields like public health, nursing, and athletic training (especially useful for pre-health and advanced students). Explore Healthcare Careers Virtually (AAMC)
Illinois WorkNet – Healthcare Careers
https://www.illinoisworknet.com
O*NET Online – Healthcare Occupations
https://www.onetonline.org
CareerOneStop – Healthcare Career Profiles
https://www.careeronestop.org
Illinois offers healthcare training through community colleges, technical schools, and approved training providers.
Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)
https://www.iccb.org
Find an Illinois Community College
https://www.iccb.org/colleges
Illinois Training Providers List (ETPL)
https://www.illinoisworknet.com/ETPL
Many healthcare careers in Illinois require a state license or certification before you can work. Licensing rules vary by occupation and may include approved training programs, exams, background checks, and continuing education. Before enrolling in any healthcare program, students should confirm that the training is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) or the appropriate licensing agency and that it meets Illinois requirements—not just those of another state or online provider.
Illinois Nurse Aide Registry
https://www.idph.state.il.us/nar
Some healthcare roles offer apprenticeships or paid clinical training.
Apprenticeship Illinois
https://www.apprenticeshipillinois.com
U.S. Department of Labor – Apprenticeship Finder
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder
Learn more about healthcare employers and industry trends in Illinois.
Illinois Hospital Association
https://www.team-iha.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Healthcare Employment Data
https://www.bls.gov
Many healthcare students qualify for grants, scholarships, and workforce funding.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
https://www.isac.org
MAP Grant (Illinois)
https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/grants/map-grant.html
Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)
https://www.illinoisworknet.com/WIOA
Compare healthcare programs, costs, and outcomes.
College Navigator – Healthcare Programs
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
College Scorecard
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov
Healthcare & Medical Careers Requiring ≤ 2 Years of Training. Listed below are 20 jobs. Information on these websites is national and not limited to Illinois.
Medical Assistants – Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS) – Certificate or associate degree; assists with clinical and administrative tasks.
Nursing Assistants – Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS) – Postsecondary nondegree award or certificate; basic patient care support.
Dental Assistants – Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS) – On-the-job training or certificate; assists dentists and helps prepare patients.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN) – Wikipedia (BLS referenced) – Diploma or associate program (~1.5–2 yrs); basic nursing care.
Physical Therapist Assistants & Aides – Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS) – Associate degree (~2 yrs); helps deliver physical therapy.
Occupational Therapy Assistants & Aides – Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS) – Associate degree (~2 yrs); works with occupational therapists.
Home Health & Personal Care Aides – BLS Career Outlook (OOH summary) – HS diploma with short training; assists patients at home.
Medical Equipment Preparers – BLS Career Outlook (OOH summary) – HS diploma + moderate training; prepares and maintains medical equipment.
Phlebotomists – BLS Career Outlook (OOH summary) – Postsecondary nondegree award (~weeks–months); draws blood for tests.
Medical Billing & Coding Specialists – BLS Career Outlook (OOH related) – Certificate (~1 yr); codes medical records for billing.
Medical Records & Health Information Technicians – BLS OOH (implied in codes) – Associate or certificate; organizes and manages patient data.
Healthcare Technicians (Patient Care Tech/CNA) – Wikipedia overview – Short certification or on-the-job training; assists clinical staff.
EKG Technicians – Career Info (OOH related) – Certificate or associate; performs heart monitoring tests.
Surgical Technologists – Wikipedia (training ~2 yrs) – Certificate or associate; prepares OR and assists surgical team.
Respiratory Therapists – BLS Career Outlook (OOH summary) – Associate degree (~2 yrs); treats patients with breathing issues.
Radiologic Technologists – BLS Career Outlook (OOH summary) – Associate degree (~2 yrs); performs medical imaging (X-rays).
Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians – BLS Career Outlook (OOH summary) – Associate degree or certificate; heart/lung diagnostic tests.
Medical Laboratory Technicians – Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS) – Associate degree; conducts lab tests and assists scientists.
Dental Laboratory Technicians – BLS Career Outlook (OOH related) – Postsecondary nondegree award or associate; makes dental prosthetics.
Massage Therapists – BLS Career Outlook (OOH summary) – Postsecondary nondegree award; provides therapeutic massage services.
This Healthcare & Medical Careers List is provided by Careersbystate in partnership with Next Step Education Services — helping students and job seekers find jobs that don’t require a 4-year degree and link directly to official career data and training pathways.
Each job above links to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook so you can explore job duties, growth outlook, wages, and required training directly from the source.