The report examines the entry level competencies required and the opportunities available in nurse assisting, therapy assisting, environmental health assisting, community health assisting, medical/dental assisting, and emergency assisting. The fields were chosen because of the number of entry level positions available and opportunities for future employment growth. A questionnaire and interview procedure were combined in which respondents were supervisors and staff of health and environmental service institutions in New York. Bases on a 34% questionnaire return, it was concluded that salary level was the primary barrier for both initial employment and job retention for entry level workers. Other barriers were lack of foreseeable upward mobility, poor skills training, and lack of communication skills. The most important areas of educational preparation were understanding instructions and knowledge of medical terminology. (AG)