Do you need a degree to be a medical screener?

No, you do not need a degree to be a medical screener. In some cases, a high school diploma or GED is all that is needed for an entry-level position. Depending on the type of position, some employers provide on-the-job training that can last anywhere from two weeks to three months.

How To Become A Screener: What It Is and Career Path

What is a screener and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A screener is a person responsible for evaluating individuals or items to determine if they meet specific criteria. They use tests, questionnaires, or other tools to assess suitability for a particular role, program, or activity. Screeners can work in various fields, including healthcare, education,and human resources. They must have excellent communication skills and be detail-oriented to interpret and report results. Overall, their role is critical in ensuring that individuals or items meet necessary standards for success or safety.

ScoreScreenerUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $36,366

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.5

Growth rate -6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 4.05%

Black or African American 14.29%

Hispanic or Latino 21.39%

Unknown 5.00%

White 55.11%

Gender

female 69.22%

male 30.78%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Stress level

9.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.3

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a screener?

Pros

Opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in the industry
Chance to make a positive impact on society by keeping harmful items out of public places
Consistent work hours and schedule
Potential for career advancement
Competitive pay and benefits packages

Cons

High stress levels due to responsibility for public safety
Possibility of encountering hostile individuals or situations
Repetitive nature of job duties
Possibility of working irregular hours, including weekends and holidays
Potential for burnout due to repetitive nature of work.

Key steps to become a screener

Explore screener education requirements

Most common screener degrees

Bachelor's

42.2 %

Associate

18.8 %

High School Diploma

13.5 %

Start to develop specific screener skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	17.06%
Vital Signs	14.88%
Infection Control	8.96%
Patients	8.78%
Regulatory Guidelines	8.31%

Complete relevant screener training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New screeners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a screener based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real screener resumes.

Research screener duties and responsibilities

Work directly for the supervisor managing the jobs run.
Participate in HIPAA training and CPR certification.
Process insurance claims and appeals.
Experience use of CTX machine.

Prepare your screener resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your screener resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a screener resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable screener resume templates

Build a professional screener resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your screener resume.