Some people have the misconception that becoming a medical professional means becoming a doctor. We’re here to tell you otherwise. If you’re considering becoming a medical professional, then you have many optional paths to take.
There’s no debating that doctors are important, but there are several other medical fields and professionals that are just as important. Do you love to write? Does nutrition interest you? Are you obsessed with good oral hygiene?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then there’s a place in the medical field for you. Ready to find out more? Continue reading below!
1. Dietician and Nutritionist
Our diet and our overall health are two closely related aspects of our lives. If this is something that you would like to learn more about, then it’s a good idea to look into becoming a dietician and nutritionist. In this field, you’ll be working towards the treatment of obesity and diabetes.
2. Orthotic and Prosthetics Professionals
Orthotic and prosthetics professionals work with braces, artificial limbs, and other prosthetic devices for people of all ages. It’s one of the highest paid health care provider careers. In this position, you’ll fabricate, design, and measure to fit these devices for patients.
Find orthotic and prosthetic positions in industries like health and personal care, manufacturing, and hospitals.
3. Chiropractors
If you’ve ever been involved in an auto accident, then you’ve probably seen a chiropractor shortly after. However, chiropractors don’t only treat patients who’ve been involved in an accident. There are many people who need spinal adjustments and manipulations due to other health factors.
In this position, you’ll work within a practice or independently to treat health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system.
4. Registered Nurse
As a registered nurse, you’ll find positions in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health, and physician offices. Your focus in this field is on patient care. If you decide to become a registered nurse, you won’t have to worry about the career field dying out.
This is because it’s actually expected to grow due to the aging baby boomer generation, a focus on preventative care, and an increase in chronic conditions.
5. Dental Hygienist
When visiting a dentist office, the dental hygienist is the one who cleans your teeth, checks for signs of gingivitis and other diseases, takes x-rays, and gives fluoride treatments. As you can tell, they play an important role in dental care. In this position, you’ll also be responsible for educating patients on how to maintain proper oral health.
Becoming a dental hygienist gives you stability as the field grows. This is due to more and more research being conducted that links oral health to overall health. You also might be surprised to learn that an Associate’s degree from an accredited program, like those offered at the Ultimate Medical Academy, will get you started in this field.
6. Speech-Language Pathologist
As a speech-language pathologist, you’ll work with both children and adults that suffer from communication and swallowing disorders. In this position, you’ll asses, diagnose, and then treat these disorders. Patients with these disorders may have a link to strokes, brain injuries, developmental delays, or autism.
A large percentage of speech-language pathologist work in a school setting while others work healthcare facilities including hospitals.
7. Radiation Therapist
High doses of radiation are used to treat serious diseases such as cancer. A radiation therapist is someone who administers this treatment. In this position, you’ll take your patients’ information and put together individualized plans.
Positions in this field are available in hospitals, outpatient treatment centers, and physician offices. Because radiation therapies are advancing, this career path also brings stability.
8. Physical Therapist
An array of injuries or illnesses are the cause of a person’s decrease in range of motion. A physical therapist works with patients who have limited mobility to regain a full range of motion and manage their pain. In this position, you’ll help patients rehabilitate and recover.
You’ll create treatment plans, assess patients’ progress, and help them along the way.
9. Biomedical Engineer
Ever wonder who comes up with all of the new technology and equipment used in healthcare? If this is something that interests you, then consider becoming a biomedical engineer. In this position, you’ll analyze and design solutions in healthcare.
You’ll work towards finding advances in devices, equipment, and computer systems and software.
10. Pharmacist
You might be surprised to know that pharmacists are pretty important in both health and wellness. A licensed pharmacist is responsible for providing instructions on prescriptions that he or she also dispenses. In this position, you’ll also give patients advice on what they need to do to keep themselves healthy.
This might involve immunizations and wellness screenings. It’s also one of the most well-paid non-physician careers.
11. Health Journalist
If you love to write and have a niche for health topics, then becoming a health journalist might be a great career path for you. To be a health journalist, you’ll need experience and scientific credentials. This is a position that medics usually take up as a side gig.
To become a successful health journalist, you also might need extra qualification such as training courses. However, if you have experience in the health industry and enjoy writing, then it’s something to consider.
12. Medical Teacher
Another great position to consider if you have the experience is a medical teacher. This is a rewarding field and in this position, you’ll make an impact on more people than you’d imagine. As a medical teacher, you have options in the states and even for teaching abroad.
13. Sports and Exercise Medicine
If you played sports in high school, college, or in general, then you’re probably aware of certain injuries that can occur from playing. If working with patients who’ve suffered from sports-related injuries sounds like something you’d like to do, then consider becoming involved in sports and exercise medicine.
This is a medical specialty and you’ll work with athletes and other people who strongly and consistently play sports.
What Medical Professional Career Field Is Right for You?
If you’ve been considering becoming a medical professional, then you should know that there are several paths that you can take. What medical professional career field is right for you?
Interested in learning more about healthcare news and trends? Keep checking back with us regularly!
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.
