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44 Non-Clinical Jobs For Doctors (5 Scenarios To Get You Started)

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Doctors are some of the best-educated professionals in the workforce. That means that they have an extraordinary variety of skills and knowledge on their resume. Part of the problem is that for physicians, some of the most desired nonclinical jobs require a certain level of experience–but this list is full of great non-clinical jobs for doctors.

Whether you are a retiring medical professional looking for a career change or a budding medical graduate looking to build your career outside the clinical practices; we are here to guide you with a list of non-clinical job opportunities and steps on how to find one. 

The duties and responsibilities as a physician are expanding rapidly with a troubling trend showing decreased job satisfaction and compensation. There are quite a few non-clinical opportunities for doctors who have a background and experience in the medical and healthcare industry. 

Career transition can be overwhelming but also rewarding. We add new non-clinical job opportunities every week on our job board. Subscribe to get it emailed directly to you.

We present a wide range of non-clinical jobs on our Job board. Eg: Medical Directors, CDI/Clinical Documentation Specialist, Physician Advisor, Medical Writer, Chief Medical Officer (position available largely in private equity firms), Pubic Health, HIM/Health Information Manager, Healthcare Administrator, etc., for the physicians. Before you apply for a position learn how to build the perfect CV and Resume to help you stand out from the crowd.

This is the kind of list that will help you find a career path or job for physicians looking to stay connected to medicine while also adding skill sets outside of clinical medicine. 

The following are 44 nonclinical jobs for doctors:

  • Entrepreneur
  • Workshops and Speaking Engagements
  • Medical Writer
  • Role In Early Stage Venture Capital Firm
  • Medical School Admissions Counselor
  • Medical School Professor/Faculty of Medicine
  • Business Development Manager
  • CEO of a Health Technology Company
  • Medical director
  • Non-profit work
  • Counselor/Mentor
  • Researcher
  • Biomedical Engineer/Scientist
  • Clinical Social Worker
  • Freelance work
  • Bariatric surgery consultant
  • Chiropractor
  • Medical office administrator
  • Medical Attorney
  • Medical Sales Representative
  • Medical practitioner’s assistant
  • Nurse educator
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Therapist for rehabilitation services
  • Occupational therapist
  • Health Educator
  • Pharmacy Manager
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Audiologist
  • Medical Biller
  • Medical Coder
  • Healthcare Marketing Specialist
  • Administrative Assistant for Physicians
  • Clinical Coordinator
  • Health Insurance Specialist
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Medical Secretary/Medical Assistant
  • CDI/Clinical Documentation Specialist
  • Chief Medical Officer 
  • Patient Relations Manager
  • Public Health Officer
  • Medical Scientist
  • HIM/Health Information Manager
  • Healthcare Administrator

Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is a position that meets the needs of physicians who are looking to start their own business or those who may be interested in consulting. There are many options for doctors to do this and it can either involve staying small with just one employee- which would require less capital but also make sustainability more difficult- or going big as an entrepreneur.

Workshops and Speaking Engagements

Many medical professionals want something other than clinical work so they have some flexibility on what they choose but still, stay connected to the industry. This job offers opportunities such as speaking engagements where people come to you at your convenience for workshops about different aspects of medicine, common conditions, etc., while earning money from doing these events over time and not having set hours each day. Learn how to get speaking engagement and how to write a speaker one sheet. 

Medical Writer

This job is for physicians who are interested in a career that lets them stay connected to medicine and also be creative with writing about it. Medical writers have the opportunity to choose their topics, work on manuscripts, research new ideas, write blog posts or even create educational materials related to specific areas of specialty like cancer care or heart disease prevention. There are many opportunities and options when working as a medical writer in both healthcare industries (such as pharmaceuticals) or outside of clinical medicine. Interested in Medical Editing Jobs?

Role In Early Stage Venture Capital Firm

If you’re willing to move out of your comfort zone into an industry where doctors may not typically find themselves then this can be a viable option for non-clinical jobs for doctors looking at a career change. The venture capital industry is where money meets innovation and you’re able to help make an impact in the world with your business knowledge, management skills, and medical background on a company that has potential.

Medical School Admissions Counselor

This job offers physicians a chance to stay connected to medicine by working for their alma mater (medical school) as they advise students about what it takes or how best to get into their program. It’s also possible for them to be teaching undergraduates or postgrads which can provide fulfillment from these kinds of tasks while still using your clinical expertise at times when advising others. This is not typically considered one of the non-clinical jobs for doctors but many feel this work outside of traditional practice is rewarding.

Medical School Professor

This job is for physicians who want to share their knowledge and expertise while working on a project with students or other professors at the school of medicine where they work. Medical school professors have the opportunity to choose what aspect of clinical care is most interesting such as preparing future doctors in emergency room management, surgery techniques, etc., which even includes teaching them about immunology and microbiology so they can be better prepared when trying new procedures. This position offers opportunities that are fulfilling but still allow time outside of the hospital setting which meets many needs among medical professionals today.

Business Development Manager

This job is for physicians who want to be a part of the business side and help make decisions about clinical safety, working with marketing teams on product development (new drugs or vaccines) as well as consulting. Business Development Managers can also work in other areas such as being an account executive for specific medical companies which requires negotiation skills when it comes to contracts, proposals, and pricing. This position includes many opportunities that are fulfilling while still providing time outside of hospital settings so many doctors find these non-clinical jobs perfect.

CEO of a Health Technology Company

This job is perfect for physicians who want to be the head of a company that makes decisions about clinical safety, working with marketing teams on product development (new drugs or vaccines) as well as consulting.

Medical Director of a Clinic/Hospital

The medical director in any organization has an important role and often oversees all facets including being responsible for quality outcomes and patient satisfaction ratings among other duties. These positions offer what may seem like unlimited possibilities which can help you use your skillset comfortably without overworking yourself too much due to the variety found here such as managing budgets, overseeing staff members, or even coordinating with other physicians who are in the organization.

Nonprofit Work

Some people might think this option might not provide much fulfillment (since it’s a social service) but being able to serve people in need and have a part of the change they want to see happen is rewarding for many medical professionals. This job offers opportunities such as being an advocate, volunteer, or donor relations person at nonprofits that help people with different aspects of medicine- from cancer care to mental health services.

Counselor/Mentor

If you’re looking for non-clinical jobs outside clinical medicine then this position can provide some peace and fulfillment without having to work long hours each day. As a counselor (this could be anything from a psychotherapist, addiction specialist, or even chaplain) you are able to offer emotional support while also helping those who don’t know where else it finds what they need before talking about their feelings in more depth during sessions. As a mentor, you’re able to offer guidance and advice for other medical professionals who are just starting out or need some coaching on how best to move forward.

Researcher

This is another great option outside of clinical medicine that also gives the physician an opportunity to stay connected with their specialty (be it cardiology or neurology) by researching various areas in those fields. From discovering new molecules for therapeutic purposes all the way down to reviewing previous studies and helping create better treatments, this job can be fulfilling as well as challenging while still giving time away from work hours which might not appeal so much when considering non-clinical jobs for doctors but does allow more freedom than others like private practice physician.

Biomedical Engineer/Scientist

This job is for those who want a non-clinical job outside of medicine because it offers the opportunity to help solve problems in the medical field. From designing equipment that can do things like diagnosing stroke damage quicker or creating artificial tissue with living cells, this position allows physicians to have their hands-on engineering as well as biology which may be what they’re seeking out when looking for jobs not traditionally seen by many professionals working in clinical care.

Clinical Social Worker

This type of work isn’t usually thought about by doctors but from providing psychotherapy to guiding patients through difficult times (like helping them get over addiction issues) and even addressing ethical dilemmas, there are plenty of opportunities here that will keep you engaged and fulfilled without having much contact with patients.

Freelance work

Freelancing has been on the rise as physicians are taking advantage of remote opportunities and working remotely from home. Physicians with specialized knowledge about specific areas such as pathology, dermatology, laboratory medicine, and more can make money through this type of work that opens up possibilities for them to pursue jobs they find fulfilling outside hospitals and clinics. Lucrative Healthcare Surveys are a great way to freelance while practicing. MDforLives and M3 pay the most and great options to start with. 

Bariatric surgery consultant

Bariatric surgeons assist patients with weight loss through surgical procedures including gastric bypasses or sleeve gastrectomies by helping them develop an individualized plan that meets each person’s needs instead of requiring all patients across different geographic locations to follow a one set pattern. These types of positions require expertise in bariatrics but are not clinical, and they generally involve working with individuals or groups on the design of their plans.

Chiropractor

Chiropractors can work in hospitals, private practices, and other non-clinical settings to help patients relieve back pain. They’re able to do this by adjusting vertebrae or spinal subluxations that have been put out of place which will reduce pressure on the discs between those bones and provide relief for aching muscles that are tight from strain due to injury or repetitive motions. There is some debate if Chiropractor is a non-clinical opportunity, but we find it relevant for medical graduates without board certifications to be able to pivot into a lucrative career while meeting its certification requirements.

Medical Office Administrator

This is a great option for doctors who have an eye for business and want to help with administrative tasks. Medical office administrators are able to handle things like scheduling, billing, talking with insurance companies about coverage, or coming up with plans when patients need financial assistance in order to be seen by the doctor. In some cases, they may work as liaisons between physicians’ offices and hospitals which can also be beneficial because it will allow them time away from clinical care while still being close enough that they’re on call if needed.

Medical Attorney

This type of non-clinical job for doctors is more like an attorney than anything else. They are able to handle cases and represent injured people in order to give them the best chance at a settlement or a verdict with their injury case. This not only allows physicians who want to move away from clinical care but stay within law but also gives them time where they don’t have contact with patients which can be great if that’s what they’re looking for when considering jobs outside of medicine.

Medical Sales Representative (Sales)

There are many different types of medical sales representatives so it’s important to do some research about what will work best for you before choosing this industry as your career choice just because there may be too much travel involved or you may find yourself dealing with medical equipment that you’re not comfortable with.

Doctors who are interested in sales should look for opportunities to get experience within the industry by working as an entry-level representative before taking on a more senior position and creating their own career path where they can do what they love without having contact with patients.

Medical Practitioner’s Assistant

This type of doctor’s non-clinical job is one that requires at least a two-year degree and certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. They work with physicians in various settings including emergency rooms, clinics, or private practice offices where they can learn clinical skills but also get experience working as part of a team which will be important if you want to have your own medical office someday.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are responsible for educating new nurses on how to do things like administer medications, provide patient care, and understand legal codes that may be relevant in the field. They’re able to work with doctors who want a break from clinical duties or find themselves without enough time because they have too many patients under their care.

Medical Laboratory Technician

This is another great non-clinical job for people looking into medical careers but who don’t want contact with patients or those who need a change of pace during their day.

Medical laboratory technicians can perform tests including urine analysis, blood typing, and other diagnostic laboratory practices which allow them to learn more about medicine while also helping keep labs running smoothly instead of having one doctor deal with everything on his own!

Therapist For Rehabilitation Services

Doctors who want to move away from clinical care may be able to find jobs as therapists for rehabilitation services. These types of non-clinical jobs are usually found in hospitals, nursing homes, or other care facilities where they’re responsible for getting people back on their feet after they’ve had an injury or surgery that has left them immobilized.

This can not only provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment but also allow doctors the time needed to go through any emotional struggles like post-traumatic stress disorder which is common with those who work with patients all day long.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists may be the best type of doctor’s non-clinical job available because they help people with any number of injuries or disabilities live a life that is as normal and fulfilling as possible. They’re able to work in hospitals, schools or even at home for those who have an injury but also need medical care on a regular basis which can allow them to bring joy into their professional career instead of having it all be about stress!

Health Educator

This is a physician’s non-clinical job that can also be found in many hospitals and clinics where they’re responsible for educating people on anything from health care to nutrition. They may work at the front desk of an urgent care center or even online through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you don’t have to worry about worrying about having contact with patients as much!

Pharmacy Manager

If hospitals aren’t your thing or if you want something closer to home, then this type of doctor’s non-clinical job might just suit you best because it will allow them all the time needed for clinical duties while still providing ample opportunities for learning new skills which will help create their own career path within pharmaceutics without running the risk of burnout.

Clinical Research Associate

This type of physician’s non-medical job will give those looking into careers with pharmaceuticals all the benefits without any contact with patients at all. They’ll be able to learn more about what it takes to bring new products to market and be responsible for collecting data on any studies that are being done before giving presentations to overseas partners or potential investors.

Healthcare Administrator

If you want an office job outside clinical medicine then healthcare administrators might be your best bet as they handle all aspects of running a clinic including hiring staff, managing budgets, developing long-term strategies, and more. This type of position is perfect for physicians who may not enjoy contact with patients but still want to stay connected with their field because they can work in an office and not have to interact with patients all day long.

Audiologist

Work in a hearing clinic to diagnose and treat patients with issues of the ear, nose, or throat. While working in a hearing clinic, you would diagnose and treat patients with issues of the ear, nose, or throat.

The job often involves:

· Collecting information about the patient’s medical history and hearing ability

· Understanding the patients’ complaints and determining how they want their hearing to function

· Identifying any abnormalities that may lead to further treatment

· Recommending a course of action that may include medications, devices or surgery.

Medical Biller

A medical biller processes health care claims from providers to insurance companies and files them with the patient’s account information (including billing address, phone number), diagnosis codes, dates of service, procedure codes as well as other requested data like co-pays or deductibles that will be billed later on; this processing leads to bills being generated by payers such as insurers and/or Medicare. The average salary range for this position is anywhere between $30,000-$50,000 annually in most cases.

Medical Coder

This is a great position for physicians who want to have more of an administrative role rather than being hands-on–a medical coder’s job involves understanding the coding system and assigning unique codes that represent diagnoses, procedures or other healthcare services rendered; these coders are also responsible for keeping up with insurance guidelines so they can accurately code claims while meeting their company’s requirements.

Healthcare Marketing Specialist

This position is perfect for doctors who might be looking to get into the marketing and communications field. Healthcare marketers are responsible for all aspects of healthcare marketing from start to finish, which includes creating ads as well as understanding how patients make decisions about their health care coverage–the goal being helping a company reach more potential customers while also ensuring that they’re loyal to it.

Administrative Assistant for Physicians

Administrative assistants for physicians generally work in an office environment and have to handle a variety of tasks that include scheduling appointments, tracking patient records and insurance claims.

Clinical Coordinator

A clinical coordinator helps coordinate the care of patients with chronic diseases or who are admitted into hospital settings by coordinating services such as lab testing, diagnostic imaging tests (x-rays), treatments, etc.; they also ensure quality healthcare is delivered so providers can meet standards set forth by accrediting bodies.

Health Insurance Specialist

This is one of the most common medical jobs outside of medicine itself because it involves helping people understand their health coverage options while also educating them on what type of benefits apply to each plan–perfect if you want something more transactional than hands-on.

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists work in hospitals to help patients with breathing-related issues such as asthma. Respiratory therapists often work in a team to give patients with life-threatening conditions the best chance of recovery.

Medical Secretary/Medical Assistant

The average salary for a medical secretary or medical assistant ranges between $30,000-$50,000 annually in most cases. A Medical Secretary is responsible for handling administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and typing reports while the Assistant handles more hands-on work including taking blood pressures and recording vital signs; both of these positions are great ways to gain experience with an office environment without being too far removed from healthcare settings–it will give you strong computer knowledge and great communication skills!

CDI/Clinical Documentation Specialist

CDI specialists are responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers accurately document their patients’ health insurance claims using a coding system. They’re also tasked with reviewing and correcting inaccurate records as well as managing patient wait times while working on updating clinical documentation policies–a lot of work but necessary to help doctors efficiently run their practices!

Chief Medical Officer

A Chief Medical Officer is responsible for overseeing the operations of a healthcare organization from both clinical and administrative perspectives. They’re also tasked with establishing ethical standards, developing policies related to quality care, working on strategies to increase patient satisfaction, and lowering costs–all while ensuring that their company meets state regulations.

Patient Relations Manager

This position is perfect if you want to work in an office or customer service setting where your primary responsibility will be managing patients’ expectations; this job requires excellent people skills as well as knowledge about different health insurance plans so that they can effectively communicate information without feeling like it’s too overwhelming.

Public Health Officer

This type of physician’s non-clinical job is one that has been around since the 19th century when President Ulysses Grant created this profession back then but it still exists today even though many people don’t know about it because physicians will address public health issues including infectious diseases, environmental hazards, foodborne illnesses or acting as chronic disease managers to prevent illness from happening outside hospitals or clinics.

Medical Scientist

A medical scientist specializes in biomedical research and clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical companies; they often get hands-on experience conducting bench or animal tests which can be valuable to physicians who want to eventually transition into industry jobs.

HIM/Health Information Manager

HIM managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of healthcare information including quality assurance, data management, and electronic health records. They’ll also work with other HIM professionals to create policies that protect the privacy of patients while still meeting regulatory requirements or risk being fined by government agencies–it’s a lot of responsibility but there is high demand!

Healthcare Administrator

This type of doctor’s non-clinical job is responsible for overseeing all aspects of healthcare facilities, which can include everything from budgeting and planning to marketing and staffing. They are also tasked with handling any public relations issues that may arise so you need a thick skin in this role!

5 Scenarios To Get You Started On Your Non-Clinical Journey:

Scenario 1:

Liam is a board-certified physician, and he has been in the field for about three years. He’s looking to expand his career prospects outside of clinical work because while it fulfills him emotionally and intellectually, there are only so many hours in the day that he can take care of other people–he wants to be able to do more with this skill set than just help patients recover from their illnesses. 

Liam browses through different non-clinical jobs for doctors on lookforzebras job board and finds some listings that fit what he’s looking for! One listing sticks out as an opportunity where he could use both his medical experience (and knowledge) alongside administrative management skills: Chief Medical Officer at ___(name). After researching ___(company)__ and reading about the benefits of serving as a Chief Medical Officer, he decides to contact ___(contact person)__ for more information.

Scenario 2:

John is a medical graduate with no clinical experience and is looking to use his medical knowledge in a nonclinical setting. He wants to explore different nonclinical jobs for doctors and while he has no idea where to start; after some research, John finds a quiz to learn the best non clinical job for him and soon after that finds an opening at ___(company)___. 

After reading about the benefits of working as a Medical Director there, exploring the company’s website for information on what his responsibilities would be like in this role, contacting ____(contact person)__for more details–and feeling satisfied with all that he learns–John decides to apply!

Scenario 3:

James is looking at non-clinical jobs because he’s always wanted to work outside clinical care; however, it takes him much longer than average people (due to anxiety or other mental health issues), so when trying to do so, he needs a job that doesn’t have high pressure or stress. After researching different non-clinical jobs for doctors on ____ website__ and reading through the benefits of being an HR Director at ___(company)___, James decides to apply!

Scenario 4:

Kira is in her last year as a medical student but she’s always wanted to work outside clinical care–she loves helping people with their illnesses but it would be nice if she could do something else while also getting experience out of the hospital setting during her time off from school. 

She browses through different non-medicinal jobs for doctors on lookforzebras job board and finds some listings that might fit what she’s looking for! 

Scenario 5:

Sara is a physician that has been in the field for about five years, and it’s clear from day one of medical school that she wants to be able to help people not only by treating them but also outside clinical settings. 

She came across lookforzebras.com when looking through different non-clinical jobs for doctors on Google. She found some listings that she could see herself applying for: Medical Director at an emergency room as well as Research Coordinator at _(name). After researching both positions and considering how much additional responsibility they would entail–as well as what her duties might be–she decides to contact ___(contact person)_for more information.

Bonus Scenario:

Dr. Bob recently wanted some time off from his busy schedule at the hospital so he went traveling around Asia for six months. He loved being able to see different cultures and meet new people, but now he’s back home eager to find another way of connecting with healthcare professionals while still serving patient needs through the same medical knowledge and skills he used as a doctor.

This article is about the best jobs that a physician can do when they are not working as doctors. Doctors usually go into medicine because of their passion for helping people, and many times it’s hard to give up on that passion even after years spent in clinical practice. These non-clinical careers may be just what you’re looking for and please share if you find it helpful!

In addition to those listed above, there are also a number of occupations that involve some type of clinical work within an organization but do not require medical degrees from their employees in order to perform them.* These include positions like: Director for Social Media*, Marketing* Specialist*, Sales Manager*, Communications Specialist*. If you’re looking for something more hands-on and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, then consider these jobs as well!

*Please note that this list is by no means exhaustive and does not cover every single possible career opportunity available with non-clinical experience; it’s just meant to give you a starting point based on what you’re looking for. You may also find a few of these non clinical jobs overlap with clinical care.

The Bottom Line: Non-clinical jobs are ideal if you want to stay in the medical field but don’t mind making a shift from clinical medicine and care work to something different! There are so many ways that physicians can find satisfying careers outside of traditional, clinical positions–so why not explore them?

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