It’s no secret that healthcare is one of the world’s largest, fastest-growing, and most profitable fields. Most people consider pursuing a career in this exciting sector because they wish to assist those in need, enhance the quality of others’ lives and work towards a healthier world.
Today, as the population continues to rise and technological advancements, there is an increasing need for healthcare professionals across the board. That said, it is relevant to note that the profession is no longer bound to some more conventional jobs, such as physicians or doctors. In fact, as the industry evolves, many other job roles have come up during the past few decades.
So if you are wondering which career paths you can choose with a healthcare degree, read the list below:
Healthcare Administrator
Let’s face it; not everyone enjoys playing a bedside role. Are you one of those people? There is nothing to worry about if such is the case. You can continue your passion for improving people’s quality of life by entering the administrative field and finding a dream career in the healthcare industry.
Healthcare facilities require administrators to supervise everyday operations, much like any other organization. Therefore, all administrative facets of a healthcare system will be under your control and supervision as an administrator. Your typical job responsibilities can include the following:
- Keeping an eye on the finances and create budget reports based on the results
- Develop staff’s work schedule
- Make sure that all employees adhere to government regulations and healthcare standards
The minimum educational requirement to enter this career path is a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or a closely related discipline. However, you’ll need a master’s degree to proceed further. Since there is a wide variety of master’s programs available today, you might get overwhelmed. But don’t let it intimidate you! Instead, find a masters program by keeping your priorities, interests, and long-term career goals in mind. According to Payscale, the median salary of health administrators is $74,500 annually.
Nurse Anesthetist
Are you trying to find a high-paying job that is always in demand? Then, look no further than being a Nurse anesthetist.
The primary duty of a nurse anesthetist is to assist the surgeon or anesthesiologist to offer anesthesia-related care to patients before, during, and after medical procedures. In addition, you might have to collaborate with doctors who practice surgery, anesthesia, podiatry, dentistry, and other specialties. On a given day, the typical job responsibilities of a nurse anesthetist can include the following:
- Examining patient’s medical records to discover any conditions or allergies that might alter their response to anesthesia
- Prepare and administer dosages
- Educate patients about surgery and procedures
To be eligible for this job position, you must hold a master’s degree in nursing and at least one year of nursing experience. BLS states that the average salary of these professionals is $202,470 per year. However, to be the best candidate for this position, you must have good interpersonal, analytical, attention to detail, and teamwork skills.
Dental Hygienist
Let’s face it, who doesn’t like to have an attractive and pain-free smile, right? That is where the role of dental hygienists comes into play.
Dental hygienists clean patients’ teeth, check them for oral issues, and give them dental health advice. Patients of all ages, from children to adults, will be under your care. You must have strong eyesight and technological aptitude to perform at your best at work. Daily job responsibilities could involve:
- Cleaning plague and calcareous stains from teeth and gums
- Conduct oral screening of patients
- Educate the patient about proper dental hygiene techniques
To become a dental hygienist, you must complete an associate’s degree in dental hygiene and obtain a license. According to the BLS, a dental hygienist makes an average yearly pay of $77,810. Additionally, this profession would experience quicker job growth than any other, at 9%.
Pharmacist
Although physicians and doctors are responsible for giving prescriptions to their patients to treat their illnesses, you, as a pharmacist, will prepare and dispense those prescribed medicines. However, be mindful that a pharmacist is a specialist with the knowledge and the desire to help people and offer them advice and answers regarding medicine, not just dispense the prescribed medications. As a result, you can usually find work in healthcare institutions, general retail establishments, pharmaceutical firms, etc. Your regular job duties may involve the following:
- Reviewing, preparing, and dispensing medicines on the physicians advise
- Keep an eye on the labeling and packaging of pharmaceutical products to make sure they are in good shape and aren’t out of date
- Adhere to rules and legislation regarding the preparation and distribution of pharmaceuticals
To become a pharmacist, you must complete at least a four-year Pharm-D school. Furthermore, to practice as a pharmacist, you also need a license. The typical annual salary for pharmacists is $128,570, according to the BLS.
Nutritionist
A person’s health gets greatly influenced by the food they consume. Furthermore, the more nutritious food you consume, the more likely you will avoid and recover from diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Thus, there is always a need for nutritionists.
Nutritionists are at the crux of a patient’s health because they use their understanding of food science to guide individuals and communities in making healthy eating choices. As a nutritionist, you can find employment in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, sports organizations, research centers, and even privately. Your day-to-day job responsibilities include the following:
- Determining a client’s nutritional requirements by evaluating their health, exercise routines, sleep patterns, eating behaviors, and other lifestyle habits
- Create nutrition plans while taking the client’s spending limit and preferences into consideration
- Produce and publish articles to spread knowledge among common public
Individuals seeking this career path must hold a degree in nutrition or a similar subject. Nutritionists earn an annual median pay of $61,650, and employment is expected to increase by 7% between 2020 and 2030.
Key takeaways
According to BLS, overall employment in the healthcare sector will increase by 13% from 2021 to 2031. Thus, there has never been a better moment to enter the industry.
There are many reasons to work in this industry, including the possibility of a high-paying salary, career advancement possibilities, personal satisfaction, diverse career paths, varied work settings, and much more.
That said, it can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming to know where to start and which path to choose. A better idea is to pursue a career that best suits your personality, goals, and interests. Whatever career path you choose, one thing is for sure; you will make a considerable difference in people’s lives
