The healthcare industry has grown by leaps and bounds within the past couple of decades. This has naturally created a great demand for professionals having the requisite knowledge and skills for preserving the health and well-being of patients. In fact, it has opened up several new opportunities for people who seek a career in this field, but are incapable of pursuing a professional course in medicine or nursing. An increasing number of candidates are opting for a degree in Health Science, which enables students to make a career in their preferred industry and gain similar levels of success and satisfaction as a qualified medical practitioner.
A Brief Overview Of The Health Science Degree
A degree in Health Sciences imparts education regarding the different aspects of the healthcare industry. Candidates opting for this course are trained in essential healthcare skills besides developing other professional skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, information literacy, management, as well as leadership skills. They can then apply these skills in a wide range of clinical settings to provide better health care services to patients. In fact, experts are of the opinion that professionals opting for a health sciences degree help in bridging the gap between the latest advances in medical science and the application of this knowledge for improving the quality of life for patients.
Career Options For Health Science Graduates
Candidates, who complete a Health Sciences degree course, such as Bachelor of Optometry gain technical and administrative skills that are relevant to the entire field of healthcare. This enables them to take up a wide range of career options, some of which are discussed in brief as follows:
- Patient Educators
Most healthcare facilities today are employing patient educators to help the patients to better understand their medical condition, treatment process, and associated risks. These professionals are often looked upon as medical social workers, who help in improving the overall life of patients by offering reliable advice and suggestions about the necessary changes and how they can prove beneficial in their recovery. Candidates need to possess great interpersonal and communication skills to follow this career option, as they would be required to work closely with the patients.
- Medical Assistants
These professionals assist licensed medical professionals to provide healthcare services to patients. In most cases, a medical assistant can perform a majority of tasks that are performed by trained doctors. Depending on their expertise and skills these professionals may be allowed to conduct an initial examination of the patients, suggest a diagnosis, and even offer basic medical treatment and care.
- Cardiovascular Technician
This is one of the most preferred career options for candidates with a B.Sc. in Cardiovascular Technology. They are mostly responsible for conducting both invasive and non-invasive tests to help physicians diagnose health issues related to the heart, lungs, blood vessels, etc. Additionally, these technicians are also responsible for maintaining high-tech test equipment and recording test results for future references.
- Health Information Technicians
The primary task of health information technicians is to organize the medical data of patients, including their health history and test results, etc. These professionals are generally employed by hospitals and clinics to maintain patient records in an organized manner and also to ensure that the doctors gain easy access to essential details in an easy and quick manner.
- Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists work in the operating rooms and assist surgeons and their teams by handling the various technical aspects before, during and after the procedure. They are also responsible for preparing the OR maintaining the necessary tools and equipment and even prepping the patients. They may also supervise the cleaning and disinfecting of the OR after a procedure and restocking the supplies and patient movement.
- Healthcare Counsellors
Health Sciences graduates can also take up a career as a healthcare counsellor, although they might need to acquire counseling license for the same. Their education provides them with comprehensive details to guide their clients into leading a healthier and fitter life. They also provide treatment advice and rehabilitation services to patients suffering from various chronic problems including addiction to drugs and alcohol or other similar problems.
Hence, which avenue will you choose? No matter what you prefer, we wish you heartiest success!
