The career ladder tool is a map of health career choices. However, none of the pathways must be completed from start to finish or in the order indicated. The ladder simply shows a progression of positions in multiple areas. For example, if you want to become a dentist, you do not have to start out as a dental assistant or be a dental hygienist before becoming a dentist. You could train directly to be a dentist. However, if you are already working as a dental assistant and want to further your career, the ladder depicts the positions you could train for in order to be promoted.

Similarly, a person does not have to stay within a single track. You could work as a receptionist at the front desk and decide you want a change of pace. You could become a certified medical assistant. Or, you could bypass this step entirely, train directly to become a physician’s assistant and find yourself working as a mid-level provider in the clinic.