Are you ready for a career that lets you help people? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? A job that utilizes your gifts of nurturing, care and concern can turn a nine-to-five job into a truly rewarding experience.
Many careers fit this description, especially in health care field. Becoming a physician is one option, but the process is long and difficult. It takes extraordinary dedication to become a doctor, and this career path is not for everyone.
Fortunately, many other careers fit the bill. Health careers are in high demand, and they make you feel good about your impact on others. Here are five health-related careers to consider.
1. Health Care Administrator
Health care administrators oversee the daily operations of a medical facility. They may work in hospitals, nursing homes or clinics. They help dozens of people every day, ensuring a quality health care experience.
Managing a medical facility is often more rewarding than managing other businesses. Making people healthier is the primary goal. Most health care administrators hold a master’s degree in a field related to health care. According to the United States Department of Labor, this career earns an average annual salary of $93,670.
2. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) provide medical advice and treatment to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities. They educate the public about various health-related issues. They may also work with patient medical records or assist doctors with medical diagnoses.
Registered nurses provide medical and emotional support to patients and their families. They educate people about diet, exercise, hygiene and other healthy habits. RNs usually hold a bachelor’s degree and a license to practice nursing. You can get a real online degree for nursing. Their average annual salary is $67,720.
3. Healthcare Human Resource Specialist
Human resource specialists are skilled at finding the best employees for a company. Those who work in healthcare human resources manage the hiring, payroll, benefits and staff training for medical facilities. Helping other nurturers find the right job in health care is one of the “feel good” factors of the job.
Most human resource specialists hold a bachelor’s degree in human resources, labor relations, business or information technology. According to Department of Labor reports, a healthcare training or development specialist earns an average salary of $57,280 a year.
4. Healthcare Social Worker
Healthcare social workers have positions in health care or the mental health field. They help people cope with an array of issues, from terminal illness to mental health to substance abuse. Many social workers also provide counseling. If you're looking to help out senior citizens, consider a UCS online masters in gerontology.
Helping people in need is a rewarding aspect of social work. In medical settings, social workers help people cope with disabilities and chronic or terminal illness. In mental health settings, they help people deal with abuse, illness or addiction.
Most healthcare social workers have a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or a health-related field. Their annual salary averages to $43,850.
5. Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians help people care for their pets. They are to veterinarians what nurses are to doctors. They perform various duties around the clinic, from record keeping to medical tests to general pet care.
Veterinary technicians love animals and people. They establish connections with both pets and their owners. An associates degree is helpful for technicians, who earn an average salary of $31,030 per year.