Are you someone who gets satisfaction out of helping others? Do you want a career that provides job security even in a recession? Or are you looking for a career that offers both? If this is the case, then majoring in healthcare is an excellent option for you.
As you begin to study the major, you will most likely decide what to focus on in the healthcare field. Your emphasis will depend on what kind of career you hope to pursue.
Here are just a few of the career options for graduates with a degree in healthcare.
Registered Nurse (average salary: $ 62,450*)
Working as a nurse is the perfect job for someone who enjoys helping others stay healthy and fight disease. To become a registered nurse, you need to graduate from a nursing program at a university and pass a national licensing exam. We will cover nursing careers in more detail later this month.
Dental Assistant (average salary: $ 32,380*)
A dental assistant helps prepare a patient for treatment, sterilize instruments and assist dentists during procedures.Working as a dental assistant is one of the quickest ways to start your healthcare career. Although some states allow dental assistants to work without a degree, your best bet for landing a job in this field is to obtain an associates degree or, at the very least, a certificate.
Medical Assistant (average salary: $ 28,300*)
Medical assistants support doctors and other medical professionals. This includes both clerical and clinical assistance. You have to be prepared to deal with everything ranging from properly handling medical records for multiple patients to measuring patients’ vital signs and administering injections. Formal training for these positions is required and can be fulfilled at community college or even through online courses.
Physical Therapist (average salary: $ 72,790*)
A physical therapist’s duty is to diagnose and treat certain medical problems that are affecting a patient’s ability to move and perform typical daily functions. Most physical therapists need to receive an entry-level education at a four-year university.Many go on to earn their masters and doctorates to take their career a little further.
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (average salary: $ 53,500*)
These healthcare professionals are responsible for running diagnostic analysis on body fluids. Before they can do so, they must be well-trained. This includes obtaining a bachelors degree in clinical laboratory science, biology or something similar. Students must also receive certification in an accredited training program.
Radiographer (average salary: $ 52,210*)
Radiographers are responsible for producing radiographic images of patients to help diagnose conditions. Training ranges from obtaining a certificate to receiving a bachelors degree. The more education you receive, the better. Some of the areas you should expect to study include human anatomy, radiation physics and medical imaging diagnostics.
Healthcare Administration (average salary: $ 80,240)
Healthcare administrators are responsible for effectively leading and managing hospitals and other healthcare systems. To become an administrator, you must obtain a masters degree. This type of education will prepare you to supervise and oversee the proper delivery of healthcare.
Learn more about healthcare degrees and hot careers in healthcare. Plus, find out why medical careers are recession proof. Read all of our Focus on Healthcare posts.
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* Salary averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
