Healthcare Career Pathways
Each step lists typical education, credentials and experience. Requirements vary by employer and setting, and advancement is never guaranteed.
Any compensation shown elsewhere on this platform is advertised or estimated, not guaranteed income.
Direct Support Professional Pathway
A common Maryland entry point into developmental disabilities and community support services.
- 1
Direct Support Professional
- Education
- High school diploma or GED
- Credentials
- CPR, First Aid, DSP orientation training
- Experience
- No experience required
- 2
Senior DSP
- Education
- High school diploma or GED
- Credentials
- CPR, First Aid, medication technician training where required
- Experience
- 1–2 years
- 3
Lead DSP
- Education
- High school diploma or GED
- Credentials
- Employer-defined lead training
- Experience
- 2–3 years
- 4
Program Coordinator
- Education
- Associate or Bachelor's often preferred
- Credentials
- Employer-defined coordinator requirements
- Experience
- 3–5 years
- 5
Residential / Program Manager
- Education
- Bachelor's often preferred
- Credentials
- Employer-defined management requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- 6
Healthcare Administrator
- Education
- Bachelor's or Master's
- Credentials
- Varies by employer and setting
- Experience
- 5+ years
Nursing Pathway
A stepwise nursing progression frequently used across Maryland care settings.
- 1
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Education
- State-approved CNA training program
- Credentials
- Maryland CNA certification, CPR
- Experience
- No experience required
- 2
Licensed Practical Nurse
- Education
- Practical nursing program
- Credentials
- Maryland LPN licensure
- Experience
- Varies
- 3
Registered Nurse
- Education
- Associate degree in nursing
- Credentials
- Maryland RN licensure, BLS
- Experience
- Varies
- 4
BSN-prepared Registered Nurse
- Education
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Credentials
- Maryland RN licensure
- Experience
- 1–3 years
- 5
Nurse Manager
- Education
- BSN or MSN
- Credentials
- Maryland RN licensure
- Experience
- 5+ years
Medical Assistant Pathway
An ambulatory and clinic-based progression toward healthcare administration.
- 1
Medical Assistant
- Education
- Certificate program
- Credentials
- CPR; certification varies by employer
- Experience
- Entry level
- 2
Senior Medical Assistant
- Education
- Certificate or Associate
- Credentials
- CPR
- Experience
- 2–3 years
- 3
Clinical Coordinator
- Education
- Associate or Bachelor's
- Credentials
- Employer-defined requirements
- Experience
- 3–5 years
- 4
Healthcare Administrator
- Education
- Bachelor's or Master's
- Credentials
- Varies by employer and setting
- Experience
- 5+ years