Most people associate biology majors and pre-med students as primary candidates for the health professions. No matter what the major is, one should always remember that a health care career isn’t for the faint at heart, and it doesn’t necessarily rely on a background in the hard sciences. Individuals with the ability to play as part of a team, who have a love for science and who have a good rapport with other people are ideally suited for the health care professions.
Students who think that a path to a health care career is only by way of the sciences couldn’t be more mistaken. First and foremost, a love of people is a necessity for those desiring a career in the health care professions. Health care deals with those who are ill, and it takes compassion, empathy, and an understanding of the human condition to deal adequately with the diverse environments health care workers find themselves in. A person with an interest in a health care career must be versed in interpersonal communication in order to have an appropriate bedside manner and rapport with patients of all backgrounds and experiences. Ideally, health care workers are team players and need to understand social dynamics.
Of course, science plays a role towards a career in health care. Science is ever-changing, and new technological advances means that doctors and medical professionals in the field are constantly struggling to keep abreast of technological innovations and new treatment methods. Therefore, a love of continuing education and the desire to keep up with current trends is another characteristic of the health care worker.
There are many opportunities available in health care. Health care careers can range from those employed in the allied health professions, to practitioners of medicine, and finally, to those employed in administrative professions.
Besides the common occupations associated with a career in health care, like dentistry, medicine, nursing, and podiatry, there are those that deal with other aspects of health such as dieticians, speech pathologists, transcriptionists, surgical technicians, and dental hygienists. These individuals are employed in what is known as the allied health professions, which constitute 60% of health care careers.
Those who aren’t comfortable practicing medicine can find other jobs in the health care field. Administrators of hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare maintenance organizations, and the American Red Cross enjoy fruitful and rewarding careers in the health field.
A health care career can take place behind a laboratory bench. Researchers experiment and discover new cures for diseases and find new treatments. Epidemiologists look at patterns of disease and speculate on possible preventions and treatments based on these patterns. Biostatisticians study the numbers of behaviors and diseases to speculate on patterns of disease. Thus, a health care career is not limited to the viewpoint of the medical practitioner.
A health care career is the sole domain of the hard scientist. Anybody with a love of science, people, and team environments would find health care rewarding as a career option, as well as well-paying one.
