List of Careers in Medicine
As the demand for skilled professionals increases, more jobs become available in both traditional medical disciplines and in specialized branches where the growth factor is the greatest. Career opportunities in medicine ranges from family care physicians and specialists...to a broadening number of assisting jobs in nursing and positions in medical research, administration, pharmaceutical, and the dentistry fields.
Function
Physicians who diagnose, treat and supervise the care of patients occupy the top level of hands-on medical workers. These doctors rely upon the support of skilled nurses who are filling medical roles once reserved only for doctors. Advanced nursing specialties include nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, medical research nurse, nurse practitioner and occupational safety nurse. Other supporting positions include physician's assistant, physical therapist, radiology technician, and laboratory technician.
Specialties
Medical divisions offer patients specialized care. Trauma professionals render emergency treatment in traditional hospitals or trauma centers. If trauma medicine intrigues you, careers options include being an emergency medical technician, emergency room nurse, trauma counselor, surgery doctor, surgery nurse, or admission personnel. If you prefer spending time with infants, the obstetrics unit employs registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants...as well as nurse midwives in select facilities.
Requirements
A licensed practical nurse may study for as little as one year, while a nurse anesthetist must receive a master's degree in anesthesia. A certified nurse assistant may work in the medical field after a few months of training. Physicians who specialize often spend an additional three years studying after they become a doctor, which commonly requires ten or more years of study and supervised practice. Therapists need a bachelor's degree, while therapy aides may begin working after completing a certification course.
Industry Changes
Since 1980, advancement in the medical fields of mental health, dentistry, psychiatry, dentistry, physical therapy, medical research, environmental health, and chiropractic medicine has opened new avenues for medical workers. Dental assistants, hygienists and dental lab technologists play a supporting role for dentists, while physical therapists, occupational therapists and recreational therapists offer rehabilitative services for patients recovering from injuries.
Speculation
Based upon population trends and the current number of students enrolled in medical careers, the fastest growing demand for workers in the health care industry include cardiovascular technologists, occupational therapists, radiation therapists, surgical technologists, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, massage therapists, paramedics, diagnostic sonographers, and medical equipment repair persons. Another sector of growing demand is in the area of geriatric care, attributed to the baby boomers entering their retirement years.
Theories
The demand for medical support professionals with specialized degrees is growing as the high cost of health care forces doctors, hospitals and clinics to offer more responsibility to skilled professionals who receive a lower salary. The medical research field is a popular choice with teams of medical scientists busy developing treatments and medical equipment. Home health care workers--including nurses, aides and trained companions--work with private companies to provide care to homebound patients.
Tags: medical research, health care, Careers Medicine, growing demand, licensed practical
