Healthcare is a constantly evolving field that is popular among people who want a career in helping people. It is a broad field, with many different kinds of career paths that you can choose to pursue with a degree in healthcare.
What is healthcare?
Healthcare is a broad term that is meant to define every aspect of taking care of your health, such as curing diseases, treating injuries, providing patient care, etc. The healthcare industry has a lot of “moving parts”, with various systems that all work together to create a large organization. There is a wide range of possible careers in healthcare, with new careers being created every year as technology advances. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the healthcare industry is projected to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, much higher than average.
Careers in Healthcare
Healthcare is a great option for students looking to have a fulfilling career that is secure and expected to continue to grow in demand. Here are some “sub-sectors” and careers in healthcare.
Pharmaceuticals
This industry contains professions that work with prescription drugs, vaccines, and other products created to prevent illness in patients. Careers in pharmaceuticals include:
- Lab technician
- Microbiologist
- Pharmacist
- Biomedical engineer
- Clinical research scientist
Health technology
Health technology refers to the technological products that boost healthcare providers’ efficiency and productivity. Careers in health technology include:
- Medical coder
- Health services administrator
- Systems analyst
- Health information technician
Health provider
A health provider refers to anyone who directly provides healthcare services to patients, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, physicians, etc. Careers include:
- Family practice physicians
- Pediatrician
- Nurse practitioner
- Physical therapists
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administration relates to leadership and management of the healthcare system and its practices. Healthcare administrators work “behind the scenes” to make administrative decisions for healthcare institutions.
Pursuing an Education in Healthcare
As you can probably expect, there are many different types of careers you can get in healthcare. Your desired career will determine what level of education and type of degree you will need to obtain. Degree levels range from associate’s degrees to doctorate degrees. Careers that only require an associate’s degree include dental assistants, radiology technicians, and certified nursing assistants.
Students pursuing an education in healthcare will likely take classes in subjects such as human anatomy, human physiology, diagnostics, and more.
Conclusion
Earning a degree in healthcare is a great option for those who want to work in medicine, and enjoy helping people. Likewise, there are a variety of careers in the industry, giving students the opportunity to find a career that perfectly suits their unique personalities. If you’re looking to pursue a career in healthcare, call one of our Graduation Specialists today!
