A recent survey found that perhaps surprisingly, a decent percentage of young people do want to go into the medical profession, a US writer shares this article about the opportunities…
The healthcare field is a great one because the demand for healthcare professionals keeps growing. There is a large variety of jobs in healthcare. Some jobs require advanced degrees, but others can be done with just a bachelor’s degree. Here are some exciting careers for people with an interest in healthcare.
1. Nurse
Nurses care for patients, perform tests, counsel patients, and perform many more healthcare tasks. There are various different specialties in nursing. A registered nurse only needs an associate’s degree, while a BSN needs a bachelor of science in nursing. There are RN-to-BSN programs for RNs who would like to become BSNs. Other nursing specialties include nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists. They must have a master’s degree in addition to a registered nursing license.
2. Pharmacist
Pharmacists work in a pharmacy filling prescriptions and counseling patients. They help patients understand how to take their medications, check with the doctor if anything is unclear, give vaccinations, and supervise technicians. A pharmacist has to have an undergraduate degree and a doctor of pharmacy degree. He or she needs to pass two exams, and there are other requirements if a specialty is involved.
3. Audiologist
Audiologists assist patients with ear problems such as hearing loss or balance issues. They assess patients, fit them with hearing aids, and counsel them about how to deal with their hearing loss. A four-year degree in audiology and a license are needed to become an audiologist.
4. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists help patients with pain management, rehabilitation, and therapy for chronic conditions. They diagnose problems, guide patients with exercises, and develop care plans. Great communication skills, as well as compassion and stamina, are required for this career. Physical therapists have to have a bachelor’s degree and a three-year doctor of physical therapy program and need to pass an exam to be licensed.
5. Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists treat cancer patients and others with radiation therapy. They have to be careful to protect themselves and the patients from too much radiation and need to make sure the radiation machines are properly calibrated. They also counsel patients and explain their treatments. Radiation therapists must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and have to be licensed.
6. Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselors help people to find out their risks from inherited diseases and birth defects. They interview patients to document their family medical history, do consultations, and discuss genetic testing. They usually have a master’s degree in genetics or genetic counseling, and there may be additional requirements by state.
7. Physician Assistant
Physician assistants work with doctors and surgeons to assist them in their work. They may counsel patients, take medical histories, prescribe medication, and order tests. They usually have a master’s degree. They might have started out as a nurse or a paramedic. They must pass an exam to be licensed.
These are just a few of the many interesting careers in healthcare. As indicated, some people start out in one healthcare field and then decide to become certified in a different but related area.
Of course there are also a myriad of opportunities within complimentary healthcare too!