8 Different Career Fields To Explore In Health Care

The healthcare industry provides career opportunities for professionals with a wide variety of skills and passions to pursue. Whether performing clinical or administrative work, many of these roles can provide stable and stimulating experiences for those who hope to pursue them. Learning about the different areas in this field can help you identify if pursuing one might be right for you. In this article, we discuss the benefits of a career in this area and share the different career fields in health care you might pursue along with common roles in each.

What are the benefits of a career in health care?

There are several key benefits of working in health care:

Mobility

Facilities across the world require healthcare providers to maintain the well-being of the population and assist with medical issues. A career in this profession allows you to move to various locations, as it is likely that different cities offer similar positions. This can mean you can switch between roles at different facilities within your area or explore opportunities in a different state or globally.

Salary and job outlook

Many occupations in health care offer high-paying salaries you can earn. For example, according to Indeed salaries, the average salary for a surgeon is $199,145 per year, and a pulmonologist can earn an average of $282,591 per year. The job outlook for healthcare professions is also positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that healthcare roles will grow by 16% through 2030, which is much higher than the average.

For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link(s) provided.

Fulfillment

One of the major reasons people might start a career in health care is to have a sense of fulfillment. This can come as you’re helping people improve their health, sometimes in difficult situations. Though many jobs might help improve others’ lives, health care often allows you to work directly with patients, build connections, and develop strategies to help people become healthier and happier.

Flexible schedule

Many healthcare positions offer nontraditional or flexible schedules. For example, registered nurses might work several long shifts a few days a week and have additional days off. This can help if you’re pursuing education or managing other responsibilities in your life. You can also expect a flexible schedule if you start your own practice, as you can establish your schedule and office hours to fulfill your duties.

Invigorating work environment

Careers in health care can bring new challenges each time you work. Seeing new patients and concerns daily can provide consistent opportunities to think critically and solve problems. Some healthcare professions, like administrative roles, might be more routine than others, but many roles, like an ER nurse, require alert concentration.

8 different career fields in healthcare

Here are some of the career options you might pursue in health care:

1. Athletic health care

Athletic healthcare careers involve helping people maintain the best physical performance for the activities they perform. Trainers and other specialists focus on bone and muscle issues and often recommend stretches or exercises athletes can do to perform well in their sports. Careers in this area can include roles like:

• Physical therapist

• Athletic trainer

• Sports medicine physician

• Orthopedic nurse

• Nutritionist

• Sports psychologist

2. Cardiology

Careers in cardiology focus on helping people with their heart health. In this field, cardiologists specialize in understanding what makes a healthy heart and how people can improve their conditions. You can find other careers in this field, including:

• Cardiac sonographer

• Cardiovascular invasive specialist

• Cardiovascular perfusionist

• EKG technician

• Exercise physiologist

• Respiratory Therapist

• Medical sonographer

3. Optometry

Optometry careers are healthcare roles that focus on eye health. Commonly known as eye doctors, these professionals can be care providers that don’t have physician licensing. Common duties include assisting with routine eye checkups, diagnosing potential issues, and prescribing eyewear. You’ll find careers in this field, including:

• Ophthalmologist

• Optometrist

• Optician

• Ophthalmic nurse

4. Administration

Healthcare offices and other facilities often require several administrative roles to operate effectively. These include duties like maintaining patient databases, greeting patients in offices, managing payments, filing paperwork, and coordinating schedules for physicians and other providers. Careers in health care administration include:

• Medical coder

• Office Assistant

• Billing Specialist

• Office Administrator

• Medical transcriptionist

• Program Manager

5. Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy is a health care field that helps you to adapt to perform certain tasks. Professionals in this field simulate these activities at a facility or visit homes and other locations to help you readjust, commonly after an injury. In this profession, some people specialize in specific conditions or disabilities. Some careers you might find in occupational therapy include:

• Occupational therapist

• Occupational health technician

• Safety specialist

• Occupational therapy assistant

6. Nursing

Nursing is a broad field in health care where you support patients and physicians with diagnostics, evaluations, and creating treatment plans. In this career, you can work in facilities with specific doctors, specialize in areas like cardiology, or work in hospital settings. Some of the common nursing jobs you might find include:

• Registered nurse

• Public health nurse

• Oncology nurse

• Rehabilitation nurse

• Nursing educator

• Nurse practitioner

7. Dentistry

Dentistry is the health care field focused on patients’ oral health. Professionals in this field maintain patient records, perform routine tasks like cleanings, and administer or assist with surgeries or other needs. Careers you can explore in this career include:

• Dental hygienist

• Dentist

• Oral Surgeon

• Dental assistant

• Periodontist

• Medical biller

8. Home care

Home care physicians and other health professionals visit individuals who often can’t get to doctors’ offices or other facilities to check on their well-being. This often involves caring for elderly individuals or those with chronic illnesses. Some careers in home care include:

• Hospice nurse

• Visiting nurse

• Home health aide

• Live-in care specialist

• Nursing Assistant