While these jobs are in high demand and can pay very well, it is also important to be aware of some of the potential drawbacks as well. These jobs can also involve a lot of stress. Burnout is a risk. And the educational and training requirements can be costly and time-consuming. Before you decide on a healthcare career, consider whether these types of jobs are a good fit for your temperament and experiences. With many opportunities to choose from, you can zero in on the area of healthcare and the role that suits you best. A healthcare career is not limited to being a physician or nurse. There is a huge variety of jobs in healthcare, from athletic trainer to pharmacist to veterinary technician, not to mention supporting roles in areas such as finance, maintenance, research, or communications. In healthcare, you have the opportunity to specialize in a field that is meaningful to you. But all involve helping people, which makes the work fulfilling. And the environment tends to be fast-paced, which is a plus for many people. When considering a career in healthcare, think about how to finance and make time for the necessary education. If a medical degree doesn’t seem feasible, consider alternatives such as physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner programs. Educational requirements for healthcare jobs vary considerably. With a high-school diploma diploma or equivalent, you could become a home health aide, orderly, optician, pharmacy technician, psychiatric aide, veterinary assistant, or lab animal caretaker. With an associate’s degree or postsecondary training certificate, you could qualify to be a dental hygienist, emergency medical technician, medical sonographer, cardiovascular technologist, licensed practical nurse, massage therapist, medical assistant, medical records specialist, medical transcriptionist, nuclear medicine technologist, certified nursing assistant, psychiatric technician, occupational or physical therapy assistant, occupational health and safety technician, paramedic, phlebotomist, radiation therapist, radiologic or MRI technologist, respiratory therapist, surgical technologist, or veterinary technician. With a bachelor’s degree, you could become an athletic trainer, lab technician, dietitian or nutritionist, exercise physiologist, recreational therapist, or registered nurse. With a master’s degree, you could pursue a career as a genetic counselor, mental health counselor, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, orthotist, prosthetist, physician assistant, or speech-language pathologist. With a doctoral or professional degree, you could be an audiologist, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, pharmacist, physical therapist, physician, psychologist, surgeon, or podiatrist. Additionally, most healthcare careers entail a great deal of responsibility and maturity. Your patients’ well-being and even their lives could depend on the quality of your work. For example, if cardiology (heart health) is a cause that moves you, you could be a cardiologist, a cardiovascular technician, a cardiac nurse, or cardiac perfusionist. If you love working with kids, pediatrics could be the field for you—as a medical assistant, occupational therapist, physician, psychologist, or registered nurse. Within each medical specialty, jobs are available for any level of education or area of interest. If you love statistics and math, maybe medical research is appealing, for example. If you are into sports and fitness, you might consider a career in athletic training, exercise physiology, physical therapy, or sports psychology. Remember that there are healthcare jobs in many settings other than hospitals, doctors’ offices, and care facilities. Healthcare providers work on military bases and cruise ships, at schools and factories, and in clinics serving remote communities. Additionally, investigate whether jobs and training programs are available in your area, or whether you may have to relocate. Is this feasible for you? How will the financial requirements of education and training affect your family? It is crucial to think about all of this before you begin to invest energy, time, and money towards pursuing a career in the healthcare field.
