Being a mom is one of the most rewarding jobs, but sometimes balancing work and parenting can be challenging. If you’re looking for a way to boost your career while still spending plenty of time with your family, consider exploring some of the best healthcare jobs for moms.
From medical coding and transcription to physical therapy assistants and nurses, these positions can offer flexible hours, competitive salaries, excellent opportunities for advancement — plus the satisfaction that comes from helping others. In this blog post, we’ll explore 12 great healthcare job options that could be perfect for working moms.
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Best Healthcare Jobs For Moms
We know that as a mother, you may have much responsibility for your family. You want to provide the best life for them but also need to be financially independent. Nursing is a great career option for mothers who wish to combine their skills and experience in caring for others with flexible hours and good pay. Below are the best healthcare careers for moms.
1. School Nurse
Working as a school nurse is ideal for parents whose children are in school. It enables them to have the same schedule as their kids. It provides services such as treating sick students, keeping track of immunization records, testing vision and hearing, and giving health counseling.
Usually, the clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, but it may differ depending on the school. If parents work in the same school their kids attend, they can save on childcare expenses since their children can hang around while they finish up for the day.
Job Description and Duties of a School Nurse
The job of a school nurse is varied. On any given day, you may be responsible for everything from taking temperatures to providing basic first aid and helping students with health concerns such as allergies or asthma. You will also be expected to develop educational materials on topics like nutrition, hygiene, and physical fitness; serve as an advocate for students and their families; and coordinate with other school staff to ensure the health and safety of all students.
Benefits of Being a School Nurse
Working as a school nurse is an excellent option for moms who want to help others and stay close to their children. You’ll be able to have the same schedule as your kids, so you can attend all of their activities without worrying about having to miss out on important parenting moments. Plus, you’ll get the satisfaction of helping students stay healthy and safe.
Expected Salaries
The median annual salary for school nurses is about $54,394 as of May 01, 2024 [Salary.com]. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
2. Acute Care Nurse
Acute care nurses have the opportunity to work nontraditional hours and can especially suit those with very young children who need to be looked after during the day. With an acute care department being open 24/7, a range of shifts available can be worked in just two or three days per week, allowing the nurse to get home before the kids are out of school or daycare. This kind of schedule is perfect for anyone looking for more flexibility.
Job Description and Duties of an Acute Care Nurse
Acute care nurses provide 24-hour assessment, monitoring, and care for critically ill patients. This requires the nurse to be highly alert and able to respond quickly in emergencies. The nurse must also ensure that accurate medical records are kept on every patient, including vital signs, medications administered, treatments performed, and progress notes.
Benefits of an Acute Care Nurse
This job is ideal for moms who need flexibility but don’t want to sacrifice their career opportunities. Not only can you work a few days per week with more flexible hours than traditional jobs allow, but you will also have the chance to gain experience in a specialty such as intensive care or trauma.
Expected Salaries
The median annual wage of acute care nurses is about $98,826 annually in the United States [Glassdoor.com]. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
3. Factory Nurse
A factory nurse, sometimes called an occupational health nurse or plant nurse, works in a factory or warehouse setting. The nurse provides urgent and non-urgent medical care to factory workers in this role. He/she must be able to work independently with minimal supervision in emergencies. Most jobs involve day shift hours.
Job Description and Duties of a Factory Nurse
A factory nurse is responsible for providing medical services to workers in the manufacturing or warehouse setting. This includes assessing injuries, administering first aid, identifying potential health problems, conducting physicals and drug tests, maintaining records of employee health data, and educating employees about safety protocols and procedures. The nurse may also work with occupational therapists to develop rehabilitation plans for injured workers.
Benefits of Being a Factory Nurse
Moms interested in this role find that it offers a range of benefits. A factory nurse typically enjoys consistent hours, making accommodating family commitments and other responsibilities easier. The job also provides the opportunity for advancement and further education. Additionally, because the position is based in a factory or warehouse setting, there is often less stress associated with the job than in a hospital or doctor’s office. Finally, factory nurses typically enjoy competitive pay and excellent benefits packages.
Expected Salaries
The median annual wage of a factory nurse is about $89,078 per year [Salary.com]. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
4. Flight Nurse
Flight nurses provide medical care to patients transported by air ambulance or “medivac” helicopters. This job requires specialized training in pre-hospital emergency medicine and the ability to work independently in high-stress situations. Most flight nurses work shift hours, with some nights and weekends included.
Job Description and Duties of a Flight Nurse
A flight nurse is responsible for providing medical care to patients transported via an air ambulance or helicopter. He/she must be able to assess and treat patients quickly and efficiently while in flight. The nurse is also responsible for ensuring all medical equipment is in working order before take-off and during the flight.
Benefits of Being a Flight Nurse
This job provides flexible hours, as most employers offer shift hours so nurses can still spend time with their families when they’re not at work. Additionally, many employers offer incentives such as free flights or flexible work schedules, making it easier for nurses to balance work and family.
Expected Salaries
The median annual salary of a flight nurse is about $92,400 as of May 01, 2024 [Salary.com]. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
5. Home Health Aide
Home health aides assist elderly or disabled patients in their homes, helping with daily activities like cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, and more. This job requires a lot of patience and compassion — it is perfect for moms with an innate desire to help others and positively impact their lives.
Job Description and Duties of a Home Health Aide
Home health aides assist elderly or disabled patients in their homes. They help with daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, etc. Home health aides also help manage doctor’s appointments and other medical-related tasks. The primary job of a home health aide is to ensure the patient’s safety and well-being.
Benefits of Being a Home Health Aide
Moms looking for a job that allows them to be at home and spend time with their children often find the home health aide profession appealing. Home health aides have flexible hours and can work part-time or full-time, depending on their needs. They also meet interesting people from all walks of life while helping them live independently.
Home health aides can also take advantage of job security, as these professionals are always needed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that the demand for home health aides will continue to grow over the next decade.
Expected Salaries
The median annual salary of home health aides will be about $29,430 in 2021 annually [money.usnews.com]. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
6. Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are multi-skilled healthcare professionals who help doctors and other healthcare providers by performing administrative and clinical tasks. The duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the specific role but generally include scheduling appointments, collecting lab specimens, taking vital signs, updating patient records, filing insurance forms, and more.
Job Description and Duties of a Medical Assistant
A medical assistant’s primary responsibility is to assist physicians in providing quality patient care. This may involve preparing patients for exams or treatments; taking medical histories; recording vital signs; administering medications as prescribed; collecting specimens for laboratory tests; filing and maintaining patient charts; scheduling appointments; answering telephone calls; transcribing physician dictation; assisting with minor surgeries; and more.
Benefits of Being a Medical Assistant
Being a medical assistant is an ideal job option for moms. It offers the flexibility of evening and weekend hours, allowing them to continue caring for their children while still going to school or working part-time. In addition, most jobs in this field provide great pay and excellent benefits packages. Furthermore, with the proper training and experience, medical assistants can move up the career ladder and become medical directors or healthcare administrators.
Expected Salaries
The median annual salary of medical assistants is about $39,003 [salary.com]. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
7. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Physical therapist assistants help therapists create treatment plans for patients with physical impairments, injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions that limit mobility. They also educate patients on exercising correctly and using assistive devices or braces to increase their independence.
Job Description and Duties of a Physical Therapist Assistant
The primary responsibility of physical therapist assistants is to assist the physical therapist in providing therapy services to patients. This may include helping patients with exercises; positioning them during treatments; teaching them how to use assistive devices; fitting them with prosthetics; monitoring patients’ progress; documenting treatments; and more.
Benefits of This Job for Moms
This job is ideal for mothers looking for flexible hours and a rewarding career. Physical therapist assistants may be able to work part-time, split shifts, or even perform home visits if needed. They also get the satisfaction of helping people and watching them progress in their treatments.
Expected Salaries
The median annual salary of physical therapist assistants is about $95,620 in 2021 annually [money.usnews.com].. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
8. Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for preparing and dispensing medications prescribed by physicians and providing customer service in a pharmacy setting. They will also assist pharmacists with filling prescriptions, compounding medications, counting pills, labeling bottles, entering data into computer systems, stocking shelves, billing insurance companies, and more.
Job Description and Duties of a Pharmacy Technician
The primary responsibility of pharmacy technicians is to help fill prescriptions accurately and efficiently while providing excellent customer service. This may include counting tablets; measuring medication; labeling bottles; entering patient and prescription information into computer systems; helping customers understand their medications; processing insurance payments and filling out forms for reimbursement claims; maintaining records of medications and supplies on hand in the pharmacy; stocking shelves with inventory; verifying expiration dates, dosage forms, and strengths of medicines requested by physicians or other prescribers; preparing intravenous solutions (for example, chemotherapy drugs); compounding medication using aseptic techniques.
Benefits of This Job for Moms
This job can offer flexible hours, making it ideal for mothers who need to arrange their work schedule around childcare or school commitments. Pharmacy technicians may also enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in the workplace, which could benefit moms who want to reduce stress. Additionally, pharmacy technicians often have the opportunity to interact with different people throughout the day and build relationships with customers, which can be beneficial for moms who want to stay connected to society. Finally, pharmacy technicians typically enjoy decent wages and excellent job security.
Expected Salaries
The median annual salary of pharmacy technicians is about $36,740 in 2021. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
9. Legal Nurse Consulting
Legal nurse consultants work with attorneys in various areas, including medical malpractice and criminal or civil cases. They provide legal counsel and medical guidance to the attorney, and they help analyze medical records for pertinent information that may be necessary during court proceedings.
Job Description and Duties of a Legal Nurse Consulting
The primary responsibility of a legal nurse consultant is to review patient records and documents related to a specific case for accuracy, completeness, and relevance. This may involve consulting with doctors, nurses, or other health care professionals; researching topics related to the case; preparing reports summarizing the information found; meeting with clients and testifying as an expert witness in court; writing deposition summaries; instructing attorneys on relevant medical terminology; creating visual aids for presentations; and more.
Benefits of This Job for Moms
Legal nurse consulting is a great job for moms because it allows them the flexibility to work from home and around their schedule. It can also allow them to stay engaged in the legal field while still being able to spend quality time with family and attend school events or activities. Legal nurse consultants typically earn a higher salary than many other professions, which can provide financial stability and job satisfaction.
Expected Salaries
The median annual wage of legal nurse consultants is about $80,392 as of May 01, 2024 [Salaries.com]. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
10. Per Diem Nurse
Per diem, Latin for “by the day,” applies to daily nurses. These part-time professionals fill in staffing requirements at hospitals as demand fluctuates. They may work with one unit or department or across the entire hospital, often through a per diem nurse staffing agency that serves multiple facilities in their local area. Per diem, nursing gives you greater control over your schedule and allows you to choose shifts that fit your life outside work. Additionally, it can provide varied experiences quickly if set up correctly. However, there are no long-term benefits or security compared to full-time nursing roles.
Job Description and Duties
Per diem, nurses work in both administrative and patient care roles. They are expected to keep up with current best practices and any changes or developments within their scope of practice. On the clinical side, they assess patients’ needs, provide treatments, monitor vital signs, and participate in discharge planning. In addition to providing direct patient care, per diem nurses may help manage medication inventories and document medical records accurately. Often, these professionals must be able to think on their feet and jump into an assignment with little notice.
Expected Salaries
The salary for a per diem nurse will depend on the location, experience, and skill. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual wage of a per diem nurse is $76,375. However, salaries can range from $60,000 to $115,000 or more, depending on the location and other factors. Benefits are typically not provided unless contracted through an agency that offers them as part of their services.
11. Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians work in veterinary clinics, hospitals, and laboratories to care for animals, perform medical tests, assist in diagnosing animal illnesses or injuries, provide nursing care to animals recovering from surgery, collect samples for laboratory analysis, administer medications prescribed by veterinarians, maintain medical records of patients’ health conditions and progress notes.
Job Description and Duties of a Veterinary Technician
The primary responsibility of veterinary technicians is to help veterinarians diagnose and treat ill or injured animals. This may include preparing patients for treatments; collecting blood, urine, and other body fluids for diagnostic testing; administering medication; performing radiographs; assisting during surgeries; educating owners on proper pet care; providing post-operative care; monitoring vital signs; ordering supplies and medicines; maintaining patient records.
Benefits of This Job for Moms
This job provides flexible hours — veterinary technicians can often work part-time or full-time, depending on the needs of their families. Plus, it allows moms to use their knowledge and skills to help animals while still having time for family commitments.
Expected Salaries
The median annual wage of veterinary technicians is about $35,000 per year. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
12. Dental Assistant
Dental assistants work in dental offices, assisting dentists with patient care, record keeping, laboratory duties, administrative tasks, and more. They also educate patients on dental care, take and process X-rays, sterilize instruments, prepare materials for fillings or other procedures, set up equipment for treatments, maintain patient records, and schedule appointments.
Job Description and Duties of a Dental Assistant
The primary responsibility of dental assistants is to assist dentists in providing quality dental care. This may include setting up exam rooms and equipment; preparing materials for fillings; taking and developing x-rays; cleaning teeth; charting patient information; sterilizing instruments; educating patients on oral hygiene and preventive care; scheduling appointments.
Benefits of This Job for Moms
This job provides flexible hours — many dental assistant jobs are part-time or full-time positions that can accommodate a mom’s schedule. Plus, it allows moms to use their knowledge and skills to help others while still having time for family commitments.
Expected Salaries
The median annual wage of dental assistants is about $76,220 per year. Salaries may vary depending on the employer and experience level.
Best Physician Jobs For Moms
Finding the right balance between work and family can be challenging as a mom. However, there are physician jobs out there that can offer the flexibility and work-life balance that moms need. Some of the best physician jobs for moms may include telemedicine positions, part-time or job-sharing roles, or positions with flexible schedules.
These jobs allow moms to maintain their medical careers while prioritizing family obligations.
Additionally, some specialties, such as pediatrics or family medicine, may offer a more predictable schedule than other areas of medicine. Whatever route a mom chooses, there are options available for physician jobs to help them achieve the desired work-life balance.
Final Words
Finding the right job for moms can be a challenge. But plenty of jobs offer the flexibility and work-life balance needed to make being a working mom a reality. Whether it’s a veterinary technician, dental assistant, or physician job – moms can find a career that meets their needs and allows them to make the most of their professional and family lives.
The key is to explore your options, research available positions, and find a job that best suits your skills and needs. With the right job, being a successful working mom is possible.
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.