What Careers are Available in Health Science?
Technology is improving at great speed and so are medical procedures. Access to medical services has also been easier to obtain. Based on these trends, it is clear that the demand for professional health services will continue to increase. From a career point of view, the health science sector has many options for prospective students to consider.
Choosing the correct career in this field starts by settling on a reputable and certified university. Right from the registration process, you will have access to experienced professionals and career counselors to guide you. As you go through the process of choosing a career option that interests you, here are some notable options.
Medical Assisting
Opting to pursue a degree in Health Science in Medical Assisting could be a great fit for you. No professional doctor’s office would operate efficiently without medical assistants. They take on the role of performing patient exams, administering medication, taking patients’ vital signs, and carrying out lab tests.
Encouragingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow 23 per cent between 2014 to 2014. Physicians are bound to record an increased number of patients due to the growth of the aging baby-boom population. The increase will prompt physicians to hire additional assistants, explaining their projected increase in employment rates.
To become a medical assistant, you will need an associate degree in Health Science. By enrolling in a reputable university, students pursuing this career line will learn how to perform their duties in real-world situations. The course work usually entails taking classes in physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, clinical procedures, and computer applications.
Paramedic
As mentioned, expect your career as a paramedic to look up regarding employment opportunities. According to the BLS, the intake of qualified emergency medical technicians is projected to grow 24 per cent between the period 2014 and 2024. Some of the factors that will contribute to the increasing demand for EMTs include unavoidable natural disasters and unfortunate vehicle collisions.
Given the nature of cases that paramedics regularly handle, they need specialized training. The training, which you need to undertake from a university or training center, may take up to two years. Although taking an accelerated course will cut down on your expected class time. One needs to complete programs listed by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education. The list could vary depending on your state. After completing up to 400 hours of instruction, you would have learned advanced EMT skills.
After the rigorous training, paramedics require certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. However, this certification comes after you pass the national exam. Afterward, one gets a license that permits them to operate as a paramedic.
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administrators are also referred to as healthcare executives or health services managers. To become one, you need to earn a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration in health science. Your roles will revolve around planning, directing, and coordinating health services.
As highlighted, having a bachelor’s degree will boost your employment chances. Notably, employers tend to prefer master’s degree holders. The degree in question is usually in a number of areas like public health administration, business administration, nursing, or health management. Administrators with experience also stand high chances of employment. Such experience come from working as a registered nurse.
Dental Assistant
Enrolling in a dental assistant degree program could be your stepping-stone to success. The employment rate for dental assistants is projected to grow 18 per cent in the period 2014 to 2024. An increase in seeking preventive dental services is partly the reason for the projected demand. As dentists receive more patients in need of routine dental checkups, the need for dental assistants also increases.
Just like in any health-related program, proper training in the early stages of learning is essential to become a competent dental assistant. The training involves taking and passing courses in clinical and administrative procedures, as well as radiography. Apart from the technical training aspect, dental assistants also enhance their inter-personal skills like improving on their communication skills.
Other career options also exist under the Health Science field. After receiving professional counseling regarding the career you want to pursue, you can opt for any of the other degree programs. These programs include:
- Massage Therapy
- Health Information Management
- Surgical Technology
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Radiography
- Sonography
Are you excited by the opportunities the health science field contains? If you're ready to start your educational journey towards a degree in healthcare, consider ECPI University's College of Health Science. With accelerated classes and a year-round schedule you could be joining the workforce sooner. Connect with a helpful admissions advisor today to discuss your options.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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