Medicine is a highly competitive industry. That said, healthcare is also a vast industry and there are many career paths you can take within it other than the standard route of becoming a doctor. If you have your heart set on working in healthcare, here are a few unusual roles that could be worth considering.
Medical coder
Medical coders have the job of logging and billing every patient. A head for figures and good sense of organization are key skills that the job requires, but some medical know-how can also be advantageous in being able to correctly identify treatments and problems. Medical coders are a vital part of hospital staffing as they are responsible for every patients records, as well as making sure that the hospital and all its staff are getting paid. It may not be hands-on in terms of dealing face-to-face with patients, but it is still a high-paced job that’s equally well-paid.
There are courses and internships that can help to secure a career in coding. Qualifications in maths, biology and chemistry can help, which may lead onto a course in health information technology.
Radiologist
Radiologists are in charge of operating medical imaging procedures such as ultrasounds, x-rays and MRI scans. Through these tests they help to diagnose various problems, monitor pregnancies and scan for abnormalities. Radiology also includes radiation oncology which is a treatment using radiation, most commonly used for treating cancers. There are lots of ways to specialize in radiology and it is often very well paid.
There are no set entry requirements to get into radiology, but a qualification in healthcare can often be advantageous. The likes of oncology may require a medical degree and they involve treating and not simply diagnosing a patient. This article Should I Go Into Radiology? can give more information on what it takes to be a radiologist and whether it is the career field for you.
Perfusionist
Perfusionists are responsible for operating machinery during surgery. This may include life-saving operations in which machines are needed to keep a patient’s heart and lungs working throughout the operation. Perfusionists need to know the exact amount of medication to administer and are often heavily involved in organ transplant operations.
Pursuing a career as a perfusionist generally involves a four year course in perfusion science. Some may take a standard medical course and then specialize afterwards. High college grades are usually required to access these courses. Perfusion science is fairly niche, but the career demand is thought to be growing as technology allows more complex surgeries to be carried with a lower risk.
School nurse
If you’ve got your heart set on becoming a nurse, a hospital or a general practice needn’t be the only places you look for a vacancy. Many schools are now employing nurses on-site to deal with injuries at school, administer vaccines and help children that are ill. This could be a rewarding job in a unique environment.
This article The Modern School Nurse gives more details on the duties required. Becoming a school nurse requires taking a standard nursing diploma and generally requires good college grades in maths and various sciences. As you will be working with children, specialist courses may also be advised.
Cruise ship nurse
Another unique environment for those wanting to pursue a career as a nurse could be a cruise ship. Holidaymakers on cruise ships will fall ill and get injured and somebody has to be on the ship to treat these people. The job can be as varied as a hospital and you may need to learn some extra skills such as emergency care and advanced cardiac life support. The plus side is that you get to work in an exotic environment in which you get the chance to see new places and travel on your days off.
As with a standard nurse role, this requires taking a nursing degree. Having some experience on a hospital ward may be beneficial and experience in emergency care can often be highly regarded. As mentioned before, extra qualifications in the likes of cardiac life support may be required on some cruise ships. This guide Sail Your Way To Becoming A Cruise Ship Nurse can offer more information for those that are interested.
Prosthetic technician
Prosthetic technicians are in charge of providing prosthetic limbs for patients who have had amputations. Technicians use a variety of machines such as vacuum systems, drill presses and heat guns to produce these prosthetics. These artificial limbs must be specially measured and engineered to fit the specific patient.
This job relies on an array of skills from human anatomy knowledge to woodworking skills to physics and biology know-how. There are diplomas in prosthetics and there are technician programs for those that don’t want to take the higher education route.
Physical therapist
Physical therapists help those that are recuperating from debilitating injuries to regain full mobility. This is done through a variety of exercises, stretches and other forms of therapy. Physical therapists may work in hospitals, specialized clinics or even work with sports teams to nurse those with sports injuries. Depending on the type of role you take will depend on how much medical knowledge is required.
Physical therapy assistant roles generally require no entry requirements, however becoming a fully qualified physical therapist will generally require taking a course. There are diplomas in physical therapy as well as apprenticeship schemes which may allow you to learn on the job.
Nutritionist
The role of a nutritionist is to advise people on a diet that they should be taking. Nutritionists are most often employed to help with weight loss, but they may also work with those that have allergies or those with mineral deficiencies. Hospitals may employ nutritionists, whilst public health clinics and non-profit agencies may also hire these specialist dieticians.
A bachelor’s degree in dietetics is usually required, especially if you’re working as a nutritionist in a hospital. However, with good college grades in biology, chemistry and nutrition, you may be able to find a access course or apprenticeship scheme. A license if generally required to work as a nutritionist.
Medical film-maker
This is a job that few people consider. Medical TV shows and films require medical experts that can project a sense of realism on screen whether it be in the terminology in the script, the look of the operating theater or other general components of the storyline.
Medical film-making may require qualifications in cinematography of film studies as well as medical qualifications. This is obviously a much more niche job and so there it unlikely to no one sure route of getting into this career.
Check out this infographic from our friends at Ausmed:
Nursing in Australia and the UK Compared (Ausmed). Please click here for statistics and sources.
Be the first to comment