5 Great Careers in the Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry is booming and is more in need than ever for well qualified, dedicated healthcare professionals. Working in this industry can be one of the most worthwhile and rewarding types of careers in the world. Perhaps you know that you’d like to work in healthcare but are unsure of which career to pursue. Or, maybe you’re considering a career change within the industry. There are hundreds of healthcare job possibilities, all with varying requirements in terms of education and qualifications. Here are just five of the many great options that are open to you.
Nursing Assistant
A certified nursing assistant, or a CNA, is a person who helps a nurse to complete their daily work. A CNA will be responsible for the physical care of patients, such as monitoring vital signs and giving sponge baths and personal care, as well as organizing medical equipment. Many nursing assistants work in retirement homes, providing care and support to elderly residents who need help with specific tasks. There is specialist education available for CNAs, though in some cases, an assistant can begin work without any formal qualifications.
Physician
Physicians diagnose and treat patients. Many works in hospitals, but others run their own medical firms. There are many areas that physicians can specialize in. Pediatrics, intensive care, and oncology are just three examples. Training for physicians is long and demanding – often spending over 10 years studying – but the emotional and financial compensation makes it eventually worth it for many.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses are responsible for most of the physical care of patients in hospitals and clinics. They undertake many duties, from coordinating care to offering emotional support to relatives. Nurses can work in hospitals, hospices, and many other institutions, as well as in the community. Most RNs study for four years on a nursing degree program and then many continue to study for further qualifications while they are working. They do this either in person at a college or by enrolling in one of the many online nurse practitioner programs. An increasing population and longer life expectancies mean that nurses are always in demand, both in the United States and around the world.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for assisting pharmacists in helping their patients. They need to understand drugs and their various uses but are not qualified to prescribe medication or assess the suitability of a drug for a specific patient. Pharmacy technicians need to know how to distribute medications and regulate the dosages so that patients receive the correct medication in the correct amounts. Some pharmacy technicians also take care of administrative tasks in the pharmacy.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
A diagnostic medical sonographer, otherwise known as a DMS, is responsible for working with imaging machines. A DMS may work in a clinic, physician’s office, or a hospital. They will operate a sonogram, ultrasound, echocardiogram, or another machine that study waves in a patient’s body. While the DMS gathers images and data, assessment and diagnosis is the task of the physician. Sonographers tend to have a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography or similar.
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