What medical career should i choose

The education level needed to work in this field depends on the specific job title and responsibilities. Some states may also require additional certification or licensure to work in this field. Medical laboratory technicians are sometimes known as clinical laboratory technicians or medical laboratory scientists. Medical laboratory technologists are also within this field. There are also some specific job options in this career path. For example, phlebotomy technicians perform bloodwork for research, diagnostic purposes, blood transfusions, or donations.

Chemical technicians focus on the chemical side of medicine, working with engineers or chemists. Cytotechnologists, immunology technologists,and molecular biology technologists are additional career options in this field, according to the BLS, though they typically require a higher level of education.

Patient care technicians are the positions that work directly with patients, like home health aides. These positions are often full-time, according to the BLS. Home health aides help people in need with their daily activities. They may work with people with chronic illnesses, disabilities or other forms of impairment. Elderly people may also require the assistance of a home health aide. Home health aides are expected to see a massive hiring growth in the coming years due to the increased needs of the aging population, according to the BLS.

Since home health aides work so closely with people, there are certain skills that are important to possess:. However, patient care technicians who are employed with certified agencies often require their employees to have training and take an exam. If a home health agency gets reimbursed from Medicaid or Medicare, then their employees must get proper training and pass an exam to get certified, according to the BLS.

Some states also require specific certification. Community colleges and career training schools may offer training and certification for home health aides. The job options for home health aides depend on the needs of the patient. For example, some home health aides may provide basic care while others may have tasks that are specific to the patient, like help with prosthetic limbs.

There may be some home health positions that require additional training for medical equipment that the patient needs, like ventilators for patients who have trouble breathing. Diagnostic medical sonographers use imaging technology to capture medical images, run diagnostic tests and analyze the findings. It is typically a full-time position, according to the BLS. Nights and weekends may be required for this job, as hospitals are always open. Since medical imaging is such an important diagnostic tool, the employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to continue to grow in the years to come.

Diagnostic medical sonographers with certification may have the best job prospects, according to the BLS. This is especially true for those who get certified in multiple specialties. Skills needed to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer include:. The BLS explains that formal education is necessary to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer.

Some jobs in this field may require an associate degree or certification. Certification programs are also available in this field. Employers often have a preference for hiring certified diagnostic medical sonographers, according to the BLS. This is because some insurance companies and Medicare only pay for sonograms that were performed be a certified professional. There are a variety of specialties that a diagnostic medical sonographer could choose from, such as abdominal sonographers, breast sonographers, and pediatric sonographers.

Each specialty works with a specific area of the body, a specific illness, or a specific patient age. The images obtained are known as echocardiograms. Medical and health services managers can run entire medical facilities or specific departments within medical facilities.

These roles come with a lot of responsibilities, since healthcare regulations and legislation are frequently changing, and medical facilities have to constantly adapt to stay compliant.

Hospitals are the largest employer of medical and health services managers, according to the BLS. Group medical facilities and nursing homes also employ medical and health services managers. This is typically a full-time position. The BLS also explains that many medical and health services managers work more than 40 hours per week, sometimes over the weekend and during the evening. The growing demand for this position is thanks in part to the medical needs of the aging population.

In particular, employment is expected to grow for medical and health service managers who work for group medical practices, according to the BLS. The projected career growth in group practices is attributed to the continual improvement in healthcare technology. Depending on the type of healthcare facility and what state you work in, you may need additional licensure or certification for medical and health service management positions.

Other career options in the medical and health services management field include clinical director, health information management director and office manager. There are a lot of opportunities for advancement in this field as well.

Radiologic technicians do diagnostic imaging like x-rays. It is most often a full-time position and may require working nights and weekends. Since diagnostic testing is such an important part of healthcare, these job are expected to have continual growth. The BLS explains that radiologic technicians who have certifications in different areas and have graduated from accredited programs could have the most positive career prospects. Radiologic technicians often require an associate degree, according to the BLS.

Some states may also require certification or licensure for radiologic technicians. Students who are working to become radiologic technicians study subjects like pathology, anatomy, image evaluation, patient care, and radiation physics and protection. Their coursework takes place in the classroom and in clinical settings. Radiologic technicians are sometimes known as radiographers or x-ray technicians. There is room to grow in this field to leadership positions like chief technician. Social and human service assistants help provide support to a number of fields, like rehabilitation, social work, and psychology.

Since healthcare and human services are so interconnected, social and human service assistants can get the chance to make a difference in the health and overall well-being of their clients. They work to help clients receive aid as needed, with everything from navigating Medicaid to finding assistance with daily needs like eating and personal hygiene.

Employees in this field may work for private organizations, nonprofits, government organizations, or healthcare facilities. Social and human service assistants typically work full-time, sometimes on weekends and during the evenings.

Job prospects are expected to be especially strong for social and human service assistants who have a healthcare degree from an accredited institution, according to the BLS. Social and human service assistants have varying educational requirements for employment.

Moreover, education can help you get additional responsibilities and may increase your chances for advancement in the field. There are many job titles in the same field as social and human service assistants. According to the BLS, some of these position include:. Occupational therapy assistants help patients with the everyday skills they need after an injury, illness, or aging.

They sometimes have their own offices, but may also work in hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare settings. The massive hiring growth in this field means that job prospects in this field are very favorable and likely will be for years to come. An associate degree is commonly required for occupational therapy assistants. Community colleges and technical or vocational schools often have programs for occupational therapy. Hands-on fieldwork may also be required to work as an occupational therapy assistant.

You can find this type of experience by looking for a program that offers externship opportunities. Occupational therapy assistants may have the opportunity to advance and become occupational therapists once they earn additional education. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare industry. They help patients and doctors by performing a number of services like providing care and education. Registered nurses typically work full-time in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

They inform the doctor of the results of any conducted medical tests. Primary duties: A medical receptionist signs in patients, collects their insurance and other data, schedules their medical appointments and maintains their medical records. They also process their payments and provide them with any required medical and legal information.

They manage patient appointments, maintain medical records and handle patient and insurance payments. Primary duties: A medical assistant records and maintains patient information, performs office tasks and assists with keeping the medical inventory and ordering new materials. They also make sure that the examination rooms are clean and ready to receive patients. Primary duties: An athletic trainer examines and evaluates patient sport-related injuries and devises a treatment and exercise plan in consultation with physicians and occupational therapists.

Primary duties: A licensed practical nurse works in clinics, nursing homes, hospitals and private employment settings to provide routine patient care. They assist doctors and registered nurses with health checks and medical procedures. Primary duties: A nutritionist helps clients with planning a healthy diet to meet nutritional needs, lose weight and strengthen muscles. They may also maintain a website about nutritional habits to help people make better dietary choices.

Primary duties: A nurse works in clinics, nursing homes, community centers and hospitals to provide medical care to patients of all age groups and diverse health needs.

They dispense medications, operate medical devices, perform diagnostic tests and monitor the vital signs of the patients. They maintain patient medical records and work in collaboration with doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Primary duties: A health administrator oversees the staff and operations of a healthcare organization. They implement healthcare policies and monitor healthcare systems to improve patient care. They are also involved with staff recruitment.

Primary duties: An ultrasound technician maintains the ultrasound equipment, schedules patient appointments, performs ultrasounds on patients and takes sonogram still images and videos. They chart ultrasound results and inform doctors about any ultrasound abnormalities. They must renew their training with at least 10 hours of continuing education every two years. Furthermore, they must assist with federal and state physical therapy regulations and assist administrative staff with billing and reporting inquiries.

Primary duties: An audiologist carries out acoustic immittance and otoacoustic emissions tests on patients and assesses for hearing sensitivity. They will discuss their findings with physicians and other medical professions and maintain patient medical records. They will also fit patients with assistive hearing aids. Primary duties: An occupational therapist examines and evaluates ill, injured and disabled patients and devises treatment plans to help them complete everyday activities.

They help them with physical exercises, monitor their progress and suggest ways to improve their environment to make it more livable. They may consult and collaborate with physicians and caregivers. Primary duties: A director of nursing oversees the nursing staff, checks that they have the proper certifications and ensures that they deliver optimum patient care.

They also create and implement patient care and improvement programs. If you are interested in a healthcare career, there are many opportunities for you to get started and grow in the field. Many healthcare degrees can lead to very satisfying careers, such as dental hygienists, which ranked first in Best Healthcare Support Jobs in by U. News and World Report. With a degree in healthcare, you will have the ability to play a valuable role in defining and supporting the healthcare industry.

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Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

Get the latest news you need to know, from study hacks to interview tips to career advancement. Do you care deeply about other people, their problems, and their pain? Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy learning? Are you intrigued by the ways medicine can be used to improve life? Pursuing a career as a doctor is a long and intense journey. Here are some steps you can take next to further explore whether being a doctor is the right choice for you:.