Medical Assistant

• With your associate degree in health science, you can work as a medical assistant in a hospital or a physician's private practice. A medical assistant performs both clinical tasks and administrative tasks. A medical assistant takes a patient's temperature and blood pressure, or may handle a patient's file and update medical records. Some medical assistants receive training on the job, but the majority of medical assistants first receive their associate degree before working in the field.
  
  

Respiratory Therapist

• Once you receive your associate degree in health science, you can work as a respiratory therapist. A respiratory therapist evaluates and cares for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Working under the supervision of a physician, respiratory therapists provide therapy for patients in intensive-care facilities in hospitals. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a limited number of associate degree programs lead to jobs as entry-level respiratory therapists. Therefore, if you are interested in this field, you may need to pursue an advanced degree to find employment.
  
  

Medical Records and Health Information Technician

• After earning your associate degree in health science, you can work as a medical records and health information technician. A medical records and health information technician compiles patients' health information including symptoms, medical history, and results from diagnostic tests. Medical records and health information technicians also organize and confirm the accuracy and security of health information and patients' records. In addition, if you want to specialize in codifying patients' medical information, you can continue your education and become a medical coder.
  
  

Continue Your Education

• Many opportunities exist in the healthcare field for all levels of education. After you complete your associate degree in health science, you also have the option to continue your education. By earning your associate degree in health science, continuing your education in the medical field will build on classes and information with which you are familiar. For example, you could go back to school to focus on nursing, nutrition or dentistry. An associate degree in health science provides a strong foundation for any career in the healthcare field.