Many of us have dreamed about becoming a doctor or nurse while growing up. These two noble professions probably have been the dream of every generation because of the prestige associated with these professions and the ability to contribute to society positively. But apart from the title of these two professions, everything around them has changed now as they rely on several supporting roles. Healthcare is now a massive industry, growing at a rate faster than many other areas of the economy, and its job market has always managed to keep pace with almost 15% growth in healthcare jobs from 2019 to 2029, according to the US Bureau of Labor. In this article, we will look at ways you can contribute to the healthcare industry in 2021.
- Clinical Research Administrator
Work in clinical research revolves around helping to organize and manage trials of drugs in different phases and also looks to treat conditions and diseases in new ways. This process requires very specialized skill-sets and follows a highly complex procedure. Scientists involved in the production of new drugs rely on Clinical Research Administrators to manage intricacies of operation and compliance with research regulations and manage participants. The job outlook in clinical research is excellent as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects growth for managerial jobs in Clinical research at 9.9% per year between 2018-28.
Since this is a very specialized field, one must possess a degree and experience in clinical research to break into this career. Today, you can even opt for an online degree like an online masters in clinical research to upskill in the relevant field.
- Physician
The majority of physicians work in hospitals, though some have their firms, diagnose and treat patients. The roles of physicians are very diverse and have many specialties that include: Family care, Pediatrics, intensive care, and oncology. Before they complete their residency program, most physicians, on average, have to spend 10 or more years in college. Then after some years of training, physicians are given the license to work with patients. Because of this long and intense education program, they also get an extremely high salary package. The suggested degree is “Doctor of Medicine” to become a physician.
- Registered Nursing (RNs)
From coordinating patient care to supporting patients emotionally, registered nurses are responsible for taking care of the requirements of patients in hospitals. The usual path followed to become a registered nurse is to get a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Nursing. However, in some rare cases, one can become an RN with an associate degree. According to BLS, the projected growth for RNs is 26% between 2010-20, with an estimated 711,900 new registered nursing jobs created.
- Pharmacist
Pharmacists are trained to prepare and distribute prescribed drugs, a becoming a pharmacist is a great way to contribute to the healthcare industry. A career in pharmacy is very dynamic and offers an attractive career path as options for drugs are constantly changing. Though the distribution of drugs is their primary job, it is not all that they do. Instead, they take part in research, routine hospital tasks and play a crucial role in treating diseases such as cancer. To start working as a pharmacist, you will be required to have a pharmacy degree, which offers very standardized training and education necessary to obtain a license.
- Medical Assistant (MA)
The contribution of medical assistants towards healthcare is significant as they are responsible for completing administrative duties in hospitals or a doctor’s office. MA jobs have seen an increase of 31% during 2010-20 and have grown faster than many professions in America. Medical Assistants are oftentimes confused with Physician Assistants (PA). However, if we look at the salary of a medical assistant and compare it to the average physician assistant salary, the difference becomes clear. Ultimately, a PA is one step below a physician and can essentially do the same things under the direct supervision of a physician. The highest paying MA jobs go to those who have attended some classes at a medical school or have successfully completed the Certified Medical Assistant exam, but some jobs can also be taken with little training. An associate degree in Medical Assisting can be a great way to get started.
- Family Practitioner
The family practitioner offers a very lucrative career path and is a great way to contribute to healthcare. Family care doctors treat patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and work in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. According to BLS, their treat injuries commonly sustained by patients, treat and diagnose different diseases and viruses and make an average of $201,100 annually. Doctor of Medicine is the qualification required to become a Family practitioner or General practitioner.
- Healthcare Administrator
Hospital administration is a great way to contribute to the healthcare industry without requiring a typical medicine, pharmacy, or nursing degree. The role of administrators includes general duties like maintaining supplies to deliver efficient delivery of services to patients. The jobs in health administration include beginner to higher-level positions, so relevant vocational training or qualification will undoubtedly give you an edge. Still, you can also start in this field through a traineeship or some job experience. Some necessary skills in this field are good communication skills, detail-oriented, problem-solving skills, and understanding of patient administration systems.
The diversity of professions in the healthcare industry is immense, and it has a place for every single background. A general misconception is that we only assume healthcare to be restricted to those with medicinal knowledge or nursing experience. But, the fact is healthcare industry employs 22 million workers as of 2019 in the US from all types of majors and backgrounds. Thus, working in healthcare in 2021 is a promising and secure career path than most industries with plenty of internal mobility and growth options.
