Healthcare and Medicine Careers

In this section by TheCareerScholar, we will be learning about the most familiar yet most vital and expansive career field: Healthcare and Medicine. Healthcare and medicine comprises of a broad range of professions dedicated to improving and maintaining the health and well-being of individuals and communities around the world. A few common activities in healthcare and medicine include diagnosis, treatment, diseases prevention, promotion of health and overall well-being. Healthcare and medicine is often associated with direct patient care. Popular clinical roles include doctors and nurses. However, it also includes research, administration, public health, and several other interesting and unconventional roles like health administrators, researchers, therapists.

The healthcare and medicine career field is ever changing, ever growing and remains in constant demand by including and improvising on variety of specialties that address multiple aspects of health and medical care. In this article, we provide an exploration of the healthcare and medicine career field, detailing key areas, few major roles, and a few relevant educational paths for each role. Four key areas are covered in this guide: Clinical Care, Public health, Medical Research and Development, Healthcare Administration. If you would like to know more about a specific role within this career field, do let us know in the comments below or by using our contact form. Subscribe to our newsletter and discover exciting career fields, information on roles and inspirational stories delivered directly to you inbox!

Clinical Care

Clinical care is central to healthcare and medicine and can be considered the core component of this career field. It involves medical and healthcare professionals interacting directly with patients for multiple reasons like diagnosis, treatment, analysis, observation, and to provide ongoing care and support. We will be looking at the four key roles within clinical care: Physicians and Surgeons, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Pharmacists.

Physicians and Surgeons

Physicians and Surgeons make the forefront of clinical care.

• Commonly referred to as doctors, physicians diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and conditions by combining their medical knowledge and interpersonal skills. They can work in a huge range of specialties, each requiring specific expertise and training. A few well-known specialties to fuel your passion: Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Cardiology, Dental Care, Neurology, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Gynecology.
  • General Practitioners (GPs): GPs, also known as family doctors, provide care to all patients. They handle a wide range of health issues and are the first point of contact in the healthcare system.
  • Specialists: These are physicians with advanced training in specific areas of medicine, such as cardiology (heart diseases), oncology (cancer), or neurology (nervous system disorders). Specialists provide expert care and advanced treatment for specific conditions.
• Surgeons are experts in clinical care and possess hands-on knowledge on life-changing and life-saving operations and minimal procedures.
  • They perform operations to correct or treat conditions. Surgeons, in general are expected to possess excellent hand-eye coordination. Surgeons specialize in multiple areas similar to specialists and some examples are: General Surgeons, Neurosurgeons. Sample surgery types include: orthopedic (bones and joints), cardiovascular (heart), plastic surgery. Problem-solving skills are an additional trait surgeons must possess to excel in this career field.
• Few suggested degrees for a career as a physician and/or a surgeon are:
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO): Required for physicians. (Please note: The name of degrees can vary across countries. Like to know more on this topic? Let us know in the comments below)
  • Residency Training: After earning a medical degree, physicians must complete residency training in their chosen specialty.
  • Board Certification: Most physicians seek board certification in their specialty, which involves passing additional exams and to be certified as a specialist in a chosen area.

Nurses

Nurses play a crucial role in healthcare. They provide essential care ad support and work tirelessly to support patients and their families. Nurses play a major role that goes beyond mere medical tasks. They act as advocates by sharing their knowledge, serve as caregivers, and educators, often spending the most time with patients and by making deep connections, sometimes long lasting, that can aid in the healing process. Their dedication and support makes sure that patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.

• Few key types of nursing specialties:
  • Registered Nurses (RNs): Registered nurses are professionals who provide direct patient care and coordinate with other healthcare professionals. They often work in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
  • Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Nurse Practitioners have advanced training. They can diagnose and treat medical conditions independently. They may be qualified to prescribe medications.
  • Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs): CRNAs administer anesthesia for surgeries and other procedures. They must be skilled in assessing patients’ anesthesia needs and monitoring their responses.
• Few suggested degrees for a career as a physician and/or a surgeon are:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Typically required for RNs. It provides a comprehensive education in nursing practice, patient care, and medical ethics.
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Required for advanced practice roles like NPs and CRNAs.
  • Licensure: RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. NPs and CRNAs also require certification and state licensure.

Allied Health Professionals

Allied health professionals are healthcare professionals who support the work of physicians and nurses by providing specialized services. The services cover a wide spectrum and are may fall under diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services. Their service may also focus on a combination of various health aspects and rehabilitation. Say, a physical therapist not only helps patients recover physically but also empowers them with exercises and strategies to regain mobility and independence by boosting their mental strength. These professionals use a combination of their skills and a collaborative approach that help patients receive personalized care.

• A few key allied health professionals roles:
  • Physical Therapists: They help patients recover mobility and strength after injuries and/or surgeries. Physical therapists develop personalized rehabilitation plans and work with patients to improve their physical function and provide mental motivation.
  • Occupational Therapists: These professionals assist patients in developing or regaining skills needed for daily life. They help individuals with disabilities or injuries to perform everyday activities.
  • Speech-Language Pathologists: They diagnose and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Speech-language pathologists work with patients of all ages to improve their communication and eating abilities.
• A few degrees and training for a career as an allied health professional:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Required for entry into many allied health professions. For instance, physical therapists typically need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
  • Certification and Licensure: Allied health professionals often require certification from professional organizations and state licensure.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists are experts in medications and play a primary role in ensuring the safe and effective use of drugs. Pharmacists bridge the gap between patients and the complex yet sophisticated world of pharmaceuticals. Often pharmacists are known to fill prescriptions, however they much more than that. They offer guidance on medication, potential side effects, and drug interactions using their expertise. Pharmacists help patients navigate their treatment plans safely and effectively by assessing that medications work as expected for each individual. They contribute significantly to patient education and safety.

• Few key types of Pharmacists:
  • Clinical Pharmacists: These are professionals who work directly with healthcare teams to optimize medication and treatment. They are responsible for medication management, drug information, and patient counseling.
  • Community Pharmacists: These professionals operate in retail settings, dispensing medications and providing health advice to the public.
• Few suggested degrees and training for a pharmacist career:
  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD): Required for pharmacists. The PharmD program includes coursework in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and patient care.
  • Licensure: Pharmacists must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and meet state-specific requirements.

Public Health

Public health is all about improving community health through education, policy-making, and research. Professionals devise public health initiatives to enhance health literacy, so individuals can make informed decisions about their health. Prevention programs, wellness initiatives, workshops and seminars and special programs with targeted outreach fall under educational section of public health. Health related policy-making and management focusses on developing and implementing policies, programs, and services to promote public health. Health policy management also includes management of public health organizations. Researches in public health are conducted to understand the cause of diseases and their prevalence within populations. It encompasses health specific data collection and data analysis, voluntary participatory research, evaluations and assessments. Three key roles within public health are discussed in this guide: Epidemiologists, Health Educators, Environmental Health Specialists.

Epidemiologists

Epidemiologists are professionals in public health, majorly working in the research category. They study and research the causes and patterns of diseases. This study is called epidemiology and these professionals are epidemiologists. They analyze data to identify risk factors and devise mechanisms to prevent diseases and control outbreaks through their research.

• Few key degrees for a career in epidemiology:
  • Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science in Epidemiology: Common degrees for epidemiologists. These programs provide training in biostatistics, research methods, and disease prevention.
  • Doctoral Degrees: A PhD or DrPH can be pursued for advanced research or academic positions.

Health Educators

Health educators work in the educational category of public health. They teach people about overall well-being as well as educate them about specific conditions and teach them health habits so individuals can be more aware about their health. They create wellness programs, policies and health related procedures, help communities and educate people on improvising their health condition. Their responsibilities include developing and implementing programs to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They work with individuals and communities to provide health information and support.

• Few key degrees for a career in health education:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Degrees in public health, health education, or a related field are typical.
  • Certification: Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification can enhance job prospects.

Environmental Health Specialists

Environmental health is aimed at protecting people from environmental hazards. They have several responsibilities like assessing the risk of specific environments, continuous monitoring, ensures that regulations are met by organizations and industries so the general public health is unaffected, creating awareness, research and more. They examine how environmental factors impact health and provide strategies to mitigate any risks found. They are vital for the creation and functioning of safe and healthy livable conditions for people.

• Few key degrees for a career in environmental health:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health: A common entry-level requirement. Some roles may require advanced degrees.
  • Certification: Certified Environmental Health Specialist (CEHS) credential can be beneficial.

Medical Research and Development

Medical research is dedicated to discovering new medications, new treatments, understanding diseases, and improving existing fixes. Its a broad field that helps individuals and communities enhance their understanding of health. This ever changing key area of healthcare and medicine advances healthcare and medicine everyday. Medical research and development requires collaboration across different fields. Examples include collaboration to understand effects of drugs with pharmacology, collaboration to understand immunity with immunology, and to assess health trends through collaboration with public health. Two key roles within medical research and development are discussed in this guide: Medical Scientists and Researchers, Biostatisticians.

Medical Scientists and Researchers

Medical scientists and researchers conduct laboratory and clinical research in order to advance medical knowledge and improve patient health. They design and execute experiments, discover new treatments and medications, analyze data, revise existing treatments and therapies through through research, and publish findings in scientific journals. Researches are conducted in various sectors of the healthcare and medicine industry. Conducting clinical trials, collection and analysis of data, designing and executing experiments, drug development, scientific writing are major responsibilities of these professionals. Their work often involves collaboration across disciplines, collaboration with individuals and communities.

• Few key degrees for a career as medical scientist / medical researcher:
  • PhD in Biomedical Science or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) or Related Field: Essential for conducting independent research.
  • Postdoctoral Experience and/or research experience: Often required for advanced research positions.

Biostatisticians

Biostatisticians employ statistical methods to analyze and interpret data from medical research. This data analysis is critical to ensure the validity of research findings. They act as a the guides in decision-making through such analysis in public health sector. A few of their responsibilities are similar to medical scientists and researchers. They design studies that address research and trial related questions. Their knowledge is vital in the design and usage of proper sampling methods, data analysis and interpreting results related to public health. They make decisions on how significant a finding is. Their statistical data analysis can influence changes in existing health policies or even creating new ones.

• Few key degrees for a career as biostatistician:
  • Master’s or PhD in Biostatistics: Typically required. These programs focus on statistical theory and methods used in medical research.

Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administration is manages and coordinates healthcare services. The professionals in this key are of public health oversee various aspects of healthcare organizations including by not limited to strategic planning and budgeting and regulatory compliance. Healthcare administration works to improve efficiency, enhance healthcare service quality, and makes sure that healthcare facilities operate smoothly. Four key roles roles discussed in this section include: Healthcare Administrators, Health Information Managers, Medical Directors, Medical and Health Service Managers.

Healthcare Administrators

Healthcare administrators, professionally manage hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They are responsible for strategic planning, operations management, budgeting, staffing, and quality management and improvement and at times collaborate with patient support and customer care. Healthcare administrators contribute to development of goals and policies for specific facilities and use a hands-on approach for implementation of regulatory practices.

• Few degrees for a career as healthcare administrator:
  • Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a healthcare focus: Common degrees for this role.
  • Certification: Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) certification can enhance career prospects.

Health Information Managers

Health information managers specialize in managing patient data and the information systems built around the healthcare facilities. Protecting the privacy and personal data of patients is important and health information managers play a central role in ensuring that their data is protected. They are responsible for keeping healthcare and patient data organized, oversee the management of patient data, keeping medical records organized and accessible to the right authorized personnel. These professionals ensure that those working in the healthcare organizations comply with regulations. Other responsibilities include using the right technology within their information systems to improve healthcare.

Degrees and Training:

• Few degrees for a career as health information manager:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Health Information Management: Provides training in data management and health informatics.
  • Certification: Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification can be beneficial.

Medical Directors

Medical directors perform in leadership roles within healthcare administration. They oversee the medical aspects and the overall functioning of the healthcare facilities they lead. They provide guidance on healthcare practices, clinical practices, make sure their staff follow the best practices and follow mandatory policies. Medical directors contribute to implementing and monitoring quality of the facilities, initiatives within the facilities and initiate collaboration with individuals, communities and other organizations. They usually manage a group of medical staff, and are involved in keeping them trained with appropriate healthcare knowledge and medical practices.

• A few suggested degrees for a career as medical director:
  • Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH) or Public Policy (MPP): Common degrees for this role.
  • PhD: For those seeking advanced research or academic positions.

Medical and Health Service Managers

Medical and health service managers perform in managerial roles within healthcare administration. They contribute to effective resource management by equipping the facilities they work at with the correct physical resources and human resources. They help with budgeting, policy development and implementation. Since they work in managerial roles, they work on staff supervision. They collaborate with researchers and other healthcare management professionals through data collection and at times with data analysis and reporting.

• Few suggested degrees for a career as medical and health service manager:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management or Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health or Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management: Typically required before masters. Provides foundational skills and understanding of healthcare, managing medical records, understanding of healthcare systems and policies.
  • Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) or Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH): Advanced degrees for this role.
  • PhD: For those seeking advanced research or academic positions.

Conclusion

The healthcare and medicine career field offers a wide range of career opportunities. There is a always a role for those interested in healthcare and medicine. Be it direct patient care, medical research, healthcare administration, public health or other initiatives, the contribution of each and every individual in this career path is significant. Direct patient care is about professionals like doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who work directly with patients to diagnose, treat, and support their health. Medical research includes scientists and researchers who study diseases and develop new treatments, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge. Public health improves community health through education, policy advocacy, and the implementation of health programs. Healthcare management involves managing healthcare facilities and services to ensure efficient operations and functioning.

This guide provides a detailed overview of the healthcare and medicine field, highlighting the various roles and educational paths available and you can make informed decisions about your career path. As you explore more potential careers from TheCareerScholar, consider your interests, strengths, and long-term goals to find the path that aligns best with your aspirations. For those who want to start in this field, or those who want to advance in this field, and those who want to switch careers to healthcare and medicine, the key to success is in pursuing relevant education, keeping oneself up-to-date with current trends, and gathering skills across these areas. Embracing the challenges and opportunities within healthcare and medicine may open paths for personal growth. Your contribution in driving the future of our interconnected world will be significant.

Now that you know the key areas and roles within this career field, is there a specific career within healthcare and medicine you would like us to explore? Let us know in the comments below or by using our contact form.