Healthcare is a rapidly growing field in New York City.
There are more than 800,000 people employed in the local healthcare and social assistance industry, and there’s still lots of room if you are considering a career in it. As much as 97% of hospitals across New York state report nursing shortages, and 88% report a need for non-nursing professional staff.
Immigrants have historically contributed to this professional sector, with roughly 57% of the city’s healthcare workforce in 2025 being foreign born. Healthcare work is a high-demand field with job stability, opportunities for growth and competitive pay.
Here are some short-term training programs for those with an interest in continuing their education to break into this industry.
Also Read: Free Home Health Aide Training Programs in NYC
Medical Assistant Careers
Training: The shortest programs can take 12 weeks of full-time training or 24 weeks of part-time training. A valid photo ID (passport, driver’s license or state ID) is required to register.
What you’ll do: Take vital signs, prepare patients, assist physicians, schedule appointments, and perform basic administrative and clinical tasks.
Potential salary: Approximately $45,000–$60,000 in New York City.
Why it’s attractive: One of the quickest ways to enter a healthcare setting and build experience, professional references, and networks.
Where to look: Workforce1, CUNY continuing education programs, community colleges, and employer-sponsored training programs.
People who have a GED/high school diploma and are currently earning less than $91,000 per year can apply for an Individual Training Grant through the Workforce One website or by visiting their career centers in person. If approved, the grant can cover course tuition, registration fees, books and more. The NYC Training Guide is a tool that allows interested applicants to search through hundreds of available courses that are covered by the Individual Training Grant.
Community Health Worker Careers
Training: Often 3–6 months.
What you’ll do: Help patients navigate healthcare systems, connect to services, provide health education, and support preventive care.
Potential salary: Approximately $45,000–$65,000 in New York City.
Why it’s attractive: Strong demand, especially for multilingual workers and people with deep ties to immigrant communities.
Where to look: Hostos Community College, workforce development organizations, nonprofit training programs, and healthcare systems.
LaGuardia Community College offers a free program for eligible participants. To apply to their Community Health Worker Certificate Training Program, contact LAG.CHWTraining@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 730-7708. Proof of immigration status or a valid work permit is required.
Certified Nurse’s Aide Careers
Training: Typically 4–12 weeks for a New York State-approved nurse aide training program, followed by passing the state competency exam.
What you’ll do: Assist patients with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and vital signs, provide basic care and emotional support in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home care settings.
Potential salary: Approximately $40,000–$60,000 per year in the New York City area
Why it’s attractive: Short training period, relatively low cost to enter the field through free or discounted training programs, strong demand due to an aging population, and a common pathway into other healthcare careers such as Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, or allied health professions.
Where to look: New York State Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry-approved training programs, City University of New York continuing education programs, workforce development organizations, nursing homes that offer paid training, and major healthcare systems such as NYC Health + Hospitals and Northwell Health.
Commonpoint’s Allied Health program offers free training and job placement for people who want to become Certified Nurses’ Aides and are able to commute to Queens for tuition.
Interested applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 24, have their high school diploma but not an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, and need to have a social security card, among a few other requirements. Training is free and the next cohort starts in August 2026.
You can find the application form here. Applying for the program in Queens requires mandatory in-person attendance at an information session at Commonpoint Silver Hub in Elmhurst, Queens.
Commonpoint’s Certified Nurses’ Aide training in the Bronx is available to a larger age range: 18 through 40. A valid social security card or work authorization is required.
Classes begin in late summer 2026 and interested applicants can fill out the online form to be considered for the program, which includes paid training and internship.
Medical Coding and Billing Careers
Training: Usually 4–12 months.
What you’ll do: Translate medical services into billing codes, process insurance claims, and support healthcare operations.
Potential salary: Approximately $50,000–$75,000.
Why it’s attractive: Less patient-facing, often office-based, and increasingly important as healthcare systems become more complex.
Where to look: Community colleges, continuing education programs, and online certification providers. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has a certificate program, and La Guardia Community College offers a medical coding certificate program as well, with financial aid and scholarship opportunities. A valid state ID is required to apply.
Also Read: How to Find Work and Training Opportunities as an Older Adult in New York
