Electronic Health Reporter

Ever since you were a tween, you have wanted to work in the health industry. Now that you are an adult, you still dream of being part of the medical industry in some capacity, but you would prefer to be your own boss instead of working in a hospital or starting up your own practice.

Fortunately, there are a number of jobs that relate to medicine and health that you can do from home and/or on your own time. For example, consider the following trio of ideas:

Home-based medical billing business

In order for the medical industry to function, payments must come in on a regular basis. If the idea of learning medical codes and working on a computer in a home office sounds appealing, you can pursue a health industry job in medical billing. There are a number of options in the medical billing industry, including working with family practitioners, psychologists and/or nursing homes. If you have previous experience in one area of healthcare, you might find it easier to focus on that industry when setting up your medical billing business; you might also be able to network with physicians from that field. To set up this type of home-based business, you will need a clearinghouse, which is a company that electronically receives and sends medical billing claims, a computer, medical billing software, insurance forms and reference materials including coding books.

Sell vitamins and supplements

If you are personally passionate about natural vitamins and supplements, you can set up a home-based business selling these types of products by signing up with a direct sales company. For example, Amway allows people like you to become Independent Business Owners who set their own schedules while selling the company’s line of Nutrilite brand vitamins and supplements. If you are interested in learning how to sell Amway products but are concerned that you don’t have any experience in sales, no worries—Amway explains everything you need to know in a YouTube video, including how to make money with the company, set your own hours and be your own boss.

Become a self-employed patient advocate

There are a number of types of patient advocate services; these range from facilitating communications between patients and medical professionals, helping patients in their homes and/or figuring out issues with insurance billing. If you have a strong sense of empathy for people and are a solid communicator with a good understanding of medicine and insurance, being a patient advocate may be the ideal career for you. You will probably have a home-based office where you handle calls, paperwork and possibly some appointments, but you will probably also visit patients in the hospital as well as in their own homes. The job can provide flexible hours and it definitely allows you to be your own boss in the health industry you love.

Choose one and go for it

It is reassuring to know that you don’t have to give up your goals of working in the medical industry simply because you don’t wish to work in a hospital or private practice — at least not right now. The medical industry is so broad, and there are a number of related businesses that you can set up. Start by looking into the three suggestions above; if one of these appeals to you, then by all means look into launching your home-based business, or continue to research other options until you find a good fit.