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No matter what specialty you pursue, you are sure to find an organization that can offer you employment. It is important to do your research and make sure that you choose a reputable healthcare employer. With some planning and hard work, you can achieve your goals – even if it’s setting up a bedside manner or helping an elderly patient find the correct prescription.
Registered Nurse
The healthcare industry has changed a lot in the last few years and it continues to evolve. One of the biggest changes is the rise of telehealth and online medical appointments. This has helped to reduce the amount of patients that need to be seen in person. As a result, many healthcare jobs have disappeared, especially the ones that were connected to in-person care. This has led to a decline in traditional healthcare employment, and a rise in alternatives like home healthcare and hospice care. To reflect this, registered nurses now have a variety of specialties that they can pursue. Some of the most in-demand specialties today are:
- Oncology/Hematology/Surgical Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Infectious Diseases (ID)
- Critical Care
- Mental Health
- Dentistry
- Physician Assistant (PA)
In many cases, being a registered nurse is not enough. You will also need to have experience in a specific area. For example, to be a successful home healthcare aide, you will need to have experience in administering medication and carrying out injections. To become a mental health nurse, you will need to have experience in dealing with the elderly and those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Radiological Technician
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, alternative healthcare has seen a rise in demand. As a result, many healthcare positions that were once available have been replaced by remote healthcare and medical scanning positions. Much like a radiological technician (also known as a nuclear medicine technician or radio technician), these healthcare professionals help diagnose and treat patients based on the results of their medical scans. In addition to helping in the Covid-19 pandemic, radiologic technicians also take part in the routine examination of patients. Some of the most in-demand specialties for radiologic technicians are:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging Physics
- Medical Imaging Informatica (MI Informatica)
- Interventional Radiology
- Diagnostic Radiology
As with other healthcare positions, education is key. To become a successful radiologic technician, you will need to have a good deal of experience in image processing and dealing with the medical community. In addition, you should take into consideration the fact that much of your education will take place remotely.
Medical Dosimetrist
The medical dosimetry (MD) is a relatively new healthcare profession. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, medical dosimetry was usually performed in the laboratory environment. However, with the virtual clinic model implemented during the pandemic, MDs can perform their measurements virtually, from the comfort of their home.
Medical dosimetry helps measure the correct amount of radiation or chemotherapeutic drugs to be delivered to a patient based on their physical size and type of medication. This is especially important in cases where the medication or radiation is delivered remotely, such as through an implant or catheter. Some of the most in-demand specialties for medical dosimetry are:
- Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Radiotherapy (RT)
- Nuclear Medicine
- Medical Physics
- Medical Informatics (MI)
Like other healthcare positions, being a medical dosimetry specialist is not easy. You will need to have a good knowledge of mathematics and statistics as well as experience in handling various types of medical equipment and administering proper dosages of medication and radiation. The only difference is that you will not usually be seen in a hospital – instead, your clients are typically small medical practices or hospitals that need to have their insurance billed correctly.
Medical Physicist
The role of a medical physicist (MP) can vary from person to person, but they generally work with ionizing radiation and controlling the flow of luminous radiation. In many cases, a medical physicist will work directly with a medical doctor in order to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Some of the most in-demand specialties for medical physicists are:
- Medical Imaging Physics
- Medical Imaging Technology (MiT)
- Radiology
- Medical Physics
- Medical Informatics (MI)
As with other healthcare positions, getting a graduate degree in medical physics can be a great way to break into this field. In many cases, a medical physicist will need to collaborate with medical doctors on the one hand and with engineers on the other. You will need to have a good knowledge of physics and radiation shielding, and be able to think mathematically in order to accurately design and perform research with respect to ionizing radiation.
Pathologist
A pathologist is a medical specialist who examines and diagnoses deadly diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. While many pathologists work in large medical centers, this is not essential. Indeed, many successful pathologists have chosen to practice medicine in a smaller setting.
Pathologists may need to review medical reports and data from clinical trials and population studies. In addition to being good at research, a pathologist will need to be able to diagnose the disease with accuracy and previously learned tolerance for stress. Some of the most in-demand specialties for pathologists are:
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Medical Genetics
- Medical Oncology
- Anatomic Pathology
- Medical Immunology
- Infectious Diseases (ID)
Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
A doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) is a professional who has completed a four-year course of study at an accredited veterinary medical school. DVs are responsible for providing medical care to animals. They practice primarily in veterinary hospitals and clinics. DVs must be able to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of medical procedures (e.g., blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound, etc.). They also have the responsibility of teaching veterinary students and residents. Some of the advantages of this job are:
- higher earnings potential
- more job security
- greater opportunity for career advancement
- more opportunities for professional growth
- potential for more stable lifestyle
The disadvantage of this job is that it takes a lot of education to be able to qualify for it. You’ll need to obtain a veterinary medical degree, complete a residency, and pass a rigorous exam to become a doctor of veterinary medicine. Additionally, there is a high demand for veterinary doctors, so you may have to work your way up through the ranks to get a job as a specialist in this field.
Doctor Of Physician Assistant (DPA)
A doctor of physician assistant (DPA) is a professional who has graduated from an accredited physician assistant (PA) program and has completed the necessary certification to practice as a physician assistant (i.e., medical doctor equivalent). DPs work in collaboration with physicians to provide comprehensive healthcare for patients. They also have the opportunity to provide medical care in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. Some of the advantages of this job are:
- higher earnings potential
- greater job security
- greater opportunity for professional growth
- more opportunities for career advancement
- potential for more stable lifestyle
- more flexible schedule
- ability to work remotely
The disadvantage of this job is that it takes a lot of education to become a practitioner. You’ll need to complete a physician assistant program, pass a licensing exam, and then must work under the supervision of a physician. There is also a high demand for physician assistants, so you may have to look for a job as a medical secretary, receptionist, or clinical research assistant.
Doctor Of Pharmacy (PharmD)
A doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) is a professional who has graduated from an accredited pharmacy school and has completed the necessary certification to practice pharmacy. PharmDs practice primarily in a pharmacist’s office, but they can also work in a hospital setting or a doctor’s office. They are responsible for evaluating patient medication histories and prescribing medication dosages. They also have the responsibility of educating patients about their medications and how they work. Some of the advantages of this job are:
- higher earnings potential
- greater job security
- greater opportunity for career advancement
- more opportunities for professional growth
- potential for more stable lifestyle
- ability to work remotely
- more flexible schedule
- ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- ability to handle pressure
The disadvantage of this job is that it takes a lot of education to become a practitioner. You’ll need to complete a four-year pharmacy degree and then must complete a residency. Additionally, there is a high demand for pharmacists, so you may have to look for a job as a retail pharmacy intern or assistant, or work your way up through the ranks.
Healthcare Economist
A healthcare economist (HE) is a professional who specializes in analyzing healthcare cost, quality, and usage behaviors. They may conduct detailed market analyses or evaluate the financial performance of a healthcare organization. Some of the things they look into are:
- Hospital Cost Transparency
- Hospital Efficiency Exploration
- Healthcare Delivery Models
- Healthcare Provider Specialties
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The advantage of this job is that it allows you to work remotely as long as you have a reliable Internet connection. Additionally, healthcare economists are often hired by large medical organizations to analyze healthcare costs and come up with plans to reduce spending, increase efficiency, or both. They also often work for consulting firms that specialize in healthcare administration and finance, so you may get the opportunity to work with some of the top healthcare minds in the country.
The disadvantage of this job is that it doesn’t come with a lot of job security as many healthcare organizations are constantly searching for ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. Additionally, being a healthcare economist is not a regular job, so you’ll most likely have to take outside jobs to make ends meet.
Healthcare Manager
A healthcare manager (HM) is a professional who oversees and coordinates the provision of healthcare services by a hospital, clinic, or physician’s office. They may work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses and medical assistants, to ensure that the required services are delivered in an accurate and timely manner. Some of the things they manage include:
- Patient Flow
- Transportation
- Hospital Furniture and Equipment
- Hospital Cleaning
- Security
- Human Resources
- Pharmacy
- Inventory
- Laboratory Testing
The advantage of this job is that it allows for a relatively high level of job security as long as you work for a large medical institution. Additionally, healthcare managers get to work remotely as long as they have a reliable Internet connection so they can keep up with emails and conduct business online. They also get to work with a wide variety of patients so they can gain experience in a variety of settings.
The disadvantage of this job is that it doesn’t come with a lot of financial reward potential as most healthcare managers work for hospitals or medical organizations that don’t pay very well. Additionally, healthcare managers work long hours so it can be exhausting.
