Knowing you’re interested in the medical field is like knowing you like the color blue. While it’s a popular color, there are so many hues that you need specifics to understand exactly what shade you mean.
There are medical professions for children, adults, and the elderly. You can work with physical or mental ailments, from the time they first need care throughout the recovery process or in palliative care.
If you’re not sure where to start looking, take a look at our suggestions below to narrow the field and choose a path to explore.
1. MRI Tech
An MRI technologist does one of the key jobs in hospitals: performing MRI scans. They make sure the patient is comfortable, provide instructions, and perform the scans.
The MRI tech is part of a bigger team of radiology experts. If you’re interested in this career path, click to learn more about how to become an MRI tech.
2. Medical Professions: Nursing
This popular medical career is one you’ve probably heard of before, but did you know there are many different specialties? These hospital heroes perform patient care tasks in the ER, OB/GYN, pediatrics, ICU, and more.
Whatever your preferred avenue, you need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to be an RN, although with fewer hours of education you can become a CNA or an LPN. You may also have some certifications to study for.
3. Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are medical professionals who draw blood for lab work. They spend time with patients, draw blood, and do the associated paperwork. It only takes about 3 months to obtain a certification for this job, and it’s a great way to test out the medical field to see if you are interested in a long-term career.
4. Billing and Coding
One professional medical career that’s in demand is a billing and coding specialist. A coder reviews patient medical records and assigns codes to the procedures so they can be submitted to insurance.
Coders need to have attention to detail. If they can work independently, they can often work from home.
5. Occupational, Physical, or Massage Therapy
There are many specialties within this area, from geriatric to sports medicine to pediatrics. You can also become a therapist’s assistant or aide if you don’t want to get all the education required to be a therapist.
6. Equipment Repair
Working in the medical field doesn’t always mean working with patients. You could be part of the team that repairs medical equipment when it breaks. It’s an important task and helps keep doctors offices and hospitals running so they can take care of as many needs as possible.
7. Other Medical Professions
If you’re interested in a medical profession but don’t like any of the above options, remember that there are other healthcare jobs. You may be more interested in dentistry or veterinary services. There are jobs as the lead doctor, like a veterinarian or dentist, or you can become an assistant in those areas, like a dental hygienist or a vet tech.
Careers in Medicine
Pouring over all the possibilities of medical professions you could work in can take a long time. Once you look at the 7 categories above, you’ll be able to narrow down the choices and focus on one career.
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