Healthcare is a broad field where professionals with different expertise come together to work individually and in teams to complete one job. In individual capacities, they have distinct roles and responsibilities that make their jobs indispensable. But all careers are suitable for everyone. Therefore, when choosing one of the healthcare fields as your future career, you cannot adopt any career without looking at its various aspects. Ask yourself the following questions: Do your chosen field, and the required work align with your personality? Can you fulfill its various requirements? Are you willing to challenge yourself for the sake of your job? Are you ready to take difficult decisions and put in efforts to excel in your chosen career?
If you get a positive nod to these answers, you are ready to explore more about your shortlisted careers and get into it. Do you know what career options and roles are available in healthcare? If not, below you will find the list of roles that define healthcare and everything in it. Have a look at each of them and see what matches your personality and makes you answer the questions mentioned above with a āyes.ā
- Hospital Administrator
Hospital administrators, also known as hospitalists, are linked to the administrative side of a hospitalās operations. They ensure that all the patients have access to adequate medical facilities and that doctors and medical staff is present and performing their jobs. Hospital administrators also hire the staff, manage the finances and oversee budgeting requirements.
The requirement for hospital administrators is expected to grow, surpassing its past trends. The BLS estimates project a 32% increase growth in the job outlook of this profession. The profession owes its growth to a general increase in the population and healthcare facilities. With more population, more people will be required to manage the administrative functions of the hospital. The job of a hospital administrator is for you if you are willing to work in a challenging and demanding environment requiring critical decision-making.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Nurses are the backbone and the unsung heroes of healthcare. They provide bedside care and spend most of their time with the patients. As an NP, you can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications to the patients. You can also run your independent clinics and provide a helping hand to the physicians who are overworked due to their shortage nationwide. Nurse practitioners have more autonomy and control over their practice and work and can make critical patient-related decisions.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the US is expected to face a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians within twelve years (2019 to 2034). Nurse practitioners can become a great asset to the country in this dire situation, especially in rural areas where healthcare is already inadequate. The job of a nurse practitioner is suitable for people who like to be engaged in multidimensional roles in healthcare.
- Occupational Therapist
The roles of occupational therapists are becoming more relevant as people realize their importance in curing them of severe accidental and birth injuries. Occupational therapists also work with physically and mentally impaired people. Multiple therapies performed by occupational therapists help disabled people execute daily activities such as taking a bath, changing their clothes, or working around the house.
Occupational therapists can find work in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. You can also choose to give private therapy sessions in the houses of your patients. The required qualification to become an occupational therapist includes a masterās degree, but a doctoral degree is much more preferred. You will make an excellent occupational therapist if you are kind, creative, adaptive, observant, passionate about your work, and have the drive to excel in your field.
- Physical Therapist
A physical therapistās job is similar to the work of an occupational therapist. They help people with injuries and disabilities to move around and manage their pain. They employ various physical therapies, exercises, and hands-on therapy to help their patients move their limbs and various muscles in their bodies. During their therapy sessions, they monitor their patientās progress to change or prolong certain interventions.
Physical therapists often find jobs in rehabilitation centers, preventive care, nursing homes, assisted care facilities, and hospitals. They may also start a clinic and provide home care services. The job outlook of physical therapists is propitious. BLS has projected that physical therapistsā employment will grow to 21% from 2020 to 2030. According to the estimates, 15,600 new openings are forecasted for this career every year. The job of a physical therapist is ideal for people who are determined, calm, confident and resilient, supportive, compassionate, and cooperative.
- Caregivers Or Personal Assistant
Often there is a crossover when it comes to these jobs because, in a broader sense, both engage in similar direct patient care roles. Caregivers work with people with social, physical, and emotional disabilities who cannot care for themselves in their routine. You will stay with your patients all the time, helping them with eating, bathing, changing their clothes, combing, walking, etc. Caregivers help their patients with household work such as cleaning, laundry, and cooking. For a caregiverās job, you need to be a people person and ready to work in someone elseās home.
On the other hand, a personal assistant works with people impaired with some disability. The assistants help them get out of the house, fulfill their work assignments, and meet their appointments. As a personal assistant, you will monitor the health and well-being of your patient, provide medications and arrange social and physical activities. You will also contact their physicians and communicate your patientās changing condition. Personal assistants also accompany their patients on shopping trips.
Healthcare is a constellation of many different jobs and responsibilities. Every profession contributes to healthcare distinctively. However, not all professions are suitable for everyone. Therefore, choosing a career is often a turning point in your life. It requires careful consideration of various factors such as your interest, job requirement, career outlook, etc. The article mentions a few different jobs present in healthcare, a look at them can help you decide on one for you.