Seven Categories of Health Careers
There are many types of health careers, but not all of them are medical. In this article, we’ll review the Allied/Associated, Rehabilitating, Assisting/Adjunct, Educational, and Administrative fields. These occupations all fall under the broad category of health care. Listed below are the educational requirements and job descriptions for these fields. To get started, consider pursuing a degree in nursing.
Allied/Associated Fields
An allied/associated health career requires a higher level of education than many other types of careers. These jobs involve hands-on applications and diagnostic skills and require high levels of science and interpersonal skills. Allied health careers include pathologists’ assistants, technologists, and neurodiagnostic technicians. The education required for these careers can range from an associate’s degree to a doctoral degree. Once you have completed your education, you can apply for jobs in these fields. You can also check out different senior living communities and find a setting where your skills and expertise can significantly impact the resident’s quality of life.
There are several job opportunities in the allied/associated fields, and a career in this field can be highly rewarding. Allied health professionals use science, evidence-based practices, and medical knowledge to prevent illness and promote wellness. There are many ways to enter this field, and an Associate of Science in Allied Health Science program can prepare you for a professional position in the field in as little as two years. This program is 100% online, so you can complete coursework whenever you have the time and work around your existing job. If you need a healthcare position, this is a great place to start and also to enrich your CV.
A career in allied healthcare is rewarding and often involves science-based techniques to promote wellness and preventative medical practices. Other allied health positions are administrative support, such as inpatient care. Some allied health jobs may be considered “non-traditional” nurse or physician roles, but they are still an excellent option if you want to help improve the quality of care. If you’re interested in pursuing an allied health career, a City College health care degree is a great place to get started.
Rehabilitating Fields
There are many career options in the field of rehabilitation. These jobs range from counseling to treatment assistance for individuals recovering from injuries and illnesses. Those considering a career in this field may want to consider pursuing a degree in rehabilitation to find the right position for them. To learn more about rehabilitation careers, read on. This article provides some general information about a few of the most common positions in the field. It also includes information on the benefits and disadvantages of each position.
Graduates in Rehabilitation and Movement Science can become researchers and educators. Their research skills and education make them highly sought after by higher education institutions across the country. To fill these positions, most educational institutions require at least a certain percentage of faculty who hold a Ph.D. or M.S. in the field. For individuals who already have their doctoral degrees, the program also offers excellent training to work as a post-doctoral research fellow or professor.
As a rehabilitation engineer, you’ll use your knowledge of the human body and engineering principles to develop new technologies and assistive technologies to help people with disabilities or injuries. These new devices can increase a person’s comfort and mobility, while also reducing the risk of further injury. Those who are interested in rehabilitation will find a rewarding career path. In fact, many people consider this career path after their accident.
Assisting/Adjunct Fields
Assisting/adjunct fields in health careers are those that involve the direct handling of patients or the health system. These fields require little or no scientific background, but a strong foundation in the humanities and social sciences is helpful. Some of these jobs are highly selective, while others are less so. Assisting/adjunct fields are generally less competitive than other types of health careers.
In addition to providing direct patient care, Assisting/Adjunct Fields are highly educated health professionals. These practitioners must possess significant knowledge in the sciences and often have post-baccalaureate degrees. They can also perform research to improve the quality of patient care. While they are not expected to treat patients, they may provide assistance to other health care professionals.
As an instructor, you have the opportunity to teach future medical assistants. Besides guiding and supervising student assistants in the clinical setting, you will be tasked with advising and maintaining department supplies and equipment. Teaching as an instructor requires you to stay up-to-date with changes in the healthcare field. You must also have excellent communication skills and a solid grasp of the field.
Educational Fields
Depending on your area of interest, you may choose to pursue an associate degree in health science. This program generally takes two years to complete, and many programs offer a variety of specialties, such as dental hygiene and medical assisting. As an entry-level healthcare professional, this degree can be an excellent springboard to a higher degree. Many associate degree programs offer credits that can be transferred to advanced degrees, saving you valuable time. Alternatively, you may choose to pursue a four-year program, which will give you a thorough humanities education and a focused specialty in healthcare.
The job outlook for this field is promising, with upward growth projected to 11% through 2029. As of 2019, there were 62,200 health education specialists employed in the U.S., and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% growth in this field through 2029, a faster rate than the average for all occupations. The BLS attributes the rapid growth to education initiatives that aim to improve patient care and reduce costs.
Other types of health educators may be involved in health promotion and disease prevention. These professionals often work in schools and develop programs aimed at educating children about healthy living and reducing their chances of developing disease. They may also be involved in organizing community-wide events, developing mass media campaigns, and training peer educators. Those working in this area must be knowledgeable about the health care industry and its requirements and regulations. There are several types of health educators, so it is imperative to choose the right field.
Administrative Fields
Entry-level positions in administrative fields in health are plentiful, with many options available throughout the country. Health administrators may work in hospitals or clinics in large cities, or in more rural locations. In general, administrators work forty hours a week, though this may be extended at times. Health facilities run around the clock, so the job description may call for evening and weekend work. Additionally, health administrators may need to be available for meetings, which is a major plus if you have a desire to speak in public.
Entry-level positions in health administration typically require a bachelor’s degree, although many people hold master’s degrees. For entry-level positions in smaller organizations, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Health administration programs often include courses in hospital organization, human resources administration, strategic planning, biostatistics, health economics, and law. Those who want to be administrators should have a strong desire to help patients and staff.
A master’s degree in health administration typically takes two to four years. Graduate programs are also available. These degrees provide students with advanced training in research, analytics, and teaching. Florida Tech’s Health Administration blog has a useful article that discusses the difference between the two careers. If you’re interested in becoming a healthcare administrator, an associate’s degree may be right for you. If you’re pursuing a doctoral degree, be sure to explore the many different fields of study available.
Affiliated Fields
There are a number of different health careers, which vary in degree requirements, but most require a degree in either science or the social sciences. Many of these careers require a bachelor’s degree with a focus on a particular discipline or a graduate degree, usually a Ph.D. Some of the most common examples of such careers are social workers, epidemiologists, and biomedical engineers. A bachelor’s degree in one of these fields is usually sufficient, while other jobs may require a postgraduate diploma or a doctoral degree.
Health policy and management professionals draw upon a variety of disciplines, including economics and law. They also study the administration of hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies. In some cases, health policy workers are charged with implementing policies that promote healthy lifestyles and access to medical care. They may also be tasked with designing uniform services that help individuals get access to care. And while many health professionals have degrees in medical fields, not all of them have a background in public health.
The health industry is growing at an incredible rate, despite the recession. New health care legislation and a growing population have increased demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be 5 million new health jobs in the sector between 2012 and 2022. As with any industry, there are many different career options in the health sector, so choosing a career path that best suits your skills is an important part of building a successful career.
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