The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 3 million new jobs will be available in the health care industry over the next decade. Despite periods of economic turmoil, medical careers continue to be in demand, and as the baby boomer generation continues to increase in age, the call for workers in the medical sector should only continue to grow. Apart from employment as a surgeon or physician that the term "careers in the medical field" conjure for many people, there are a variety of other opportunities available for work in medicine.
Mental Health and Therapy
Psychologists and counselors are needed to assist people with a variety of emotional and mental health issues. They provide guidance in modify one's behavior and thinking to overcome challenges or change one's life. Psychologists and counselors work for clinics and institutions, in group practice, or individually in a variety of specialties, including addiction, marital and familial issues, mental illness, and stress. A variety of jobs exist in rehabilitation and therapy as well. Physical therapists help people recover strength, balance, mobility and dexterity after an illness or injury. Occupational therapists help those with disabilities or recovering from a setback such as an accident or illness learn to perform daily tasks such as feeding, dressing and self-care. Speech pathologists assist those with difficulties or disabilities communicating or pronouncing certain sounds.
Nursing
Registered nursing is another crucial field in medicine. Nurses care for patients in doctor's offices, hospitals and mental health facilities. They often serve as intermediaries between doctors, patients and their families, and other members of medical staff. Nurses typically start off with a bachelor's degree in nursing or an associate's degree combined with a certificate. To advance, nurses may choose to become certified in specialties or as a nurse practitioner or to obtain a master's or doctoral degree in nursing. Specialties in nursing include mental health and psychiatry, obstetrics, cardiac nursing, pediatrics, critical care, emergency, home health, or education. Nurse practitioners are licensed to prescribe medicine to patients and often see patients in place of a doctor for routine concerns. Another specialized function of nurses are nurse midwives who care for women during pregnancy and delivery as well as lactation consultants who assist women with breast-feeding.
Assistants
There are a wide variety of positions available to assist medical professionals and patients. Most of these careers require certification and/or an associate's degree. Medical assistants work in doctors' offices and hospital settings performing routine jobs such as checking patient vitals. Specialized medical assistants called phlebotomists draw blood for laboratory testing purposes. Nurse's aides are hospital employees who assist registered nurses by bathing and feeding patients and responding to their requests for assistance in matters such as comfort and toileting. Orderlies are responsible for moving patients throughout hospitals from their room to testing, operating or examining facilities or from one department to another.
Technicians
A variety of careers are available for people to perform diagnostic testing and assist in basic therapy. Like assistant positions, these careers typically require certification and/or an associate's degree. Respiratory therapists assist people who require breathing treatments due to lung problems or diseases. Cardiovascular technicians perform EKGs and are trained in the operation of heart monitors. Sonographers perform ultrasounds for diagnostic purposes and upon women during pregnancy. Radiologic technicians perform X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and mammograms. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics provide first-response care in case of sudden illness or accidents.
Service Occupations
There are a variety of support personnel required for medical institutions and practices to run efficiently. These include medical records and information health technicians who are responsible for entering and maintaining patient information and medical transcriptionists who distill the notes of doctors into patient charts. Medical billers submit claims to patients' health insurance providers, reconcile patient accounts and then submit bills to them for unpaid balances. Bookkeepers and accountants help manage the practice or institution's cash flow and budget, and office or department managers oversee other support personnel to ensure that the unit is running smoothly.
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