The Complete Guide To Your Career In Health Care And Medicine April 29, 2015My CareerOff

Working in the medical profession is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling careers. Any doctor will tell you they feel privileged to come to work every day and help save lives. Of course, it takes a strong character to handle the difficult times experienced in a hospital. But, if you have a strong conviction and a deep need to help people, you’ve found your calling. First of all, congratulations for even considering this wonderful career. It takes a selfless person to devote their life to the care of others.

The only tricky part is figuring out where to focus your efforts. The practice of medicine is deep and vast, spanning all manner of careers. It’s not simply a choice between doctor or nurse! Once you start training, you’ll slowly gravitate towards your specialty and find what you love. Today we’re going to help point you in the right direction. We’ll explain what career options are out there and how you can follow them.

Doctor
The first option is, of course, becoming a doctor. Now, we’re going to break that down and look at the various different roles you could play here. Before we do, understand that every option is rooted in a five-year medicine degree. That’s your baseline, and you’ll require additional training beyond that for your specialty.

GP
The GP is a general practitioner. They are usually the first port of call for patients and, therefore, have a big responsibility. In terms of personal skills, a GP must be empathetic and caring. You’ll have a natural ability to put people’s worries at ease and speak to them with confidence. You’ll also be making quick decisions based on an expert scientific knowledge. In terms of qualifications, you’re looking at a further five years of training in general practice.

Anesthesia
This role involves taking patients through the surgery process and monitoring their consciousness. Anesthetics are the drugs given to a patient before surgery to ensure they feel no pain. It is a highly skilled, as everyone reacts differently to anaesthetics. In addition to your five-year medical degree, there may be up to seven years of further training on the job.

Gynecology
Gynecology is the practice of caring for pregnant women. You will also deal with illnesses and conditions exclusive to women. They are the lifeline for pregnant women and are often involved in the birthing process alongside midwives. Gynecologists also monitor the sexual and reproductive health of women. On top of the five-year medical degree, gynecologists can expect a further five years training as a resident. Once fully qualified, salaries are high as the practice is currently understaffed.

Pediatrics
This specialty is all about the children. It is perhaps the most rewarding area of medicine to work in, but can also be emotionally challenging. The care of children is a wonderful thing, and you’ll be naturally confident with the little ones. A hospital environment is scary for them, and it’s your job to keep them at ease. Again, an additional four-year residency is required before you qualify.

Surgery
Surgery is often what we think about when we first imagine becoming a doctor. If you’re interested in a career in medicine, this may be top of your list! It is the high-pressure position of cutting into your patient’s body to fight the illness or condition. Here you will specialize again during your residency. You can focus on neurology (the brain), cardio (the heart) or general surgery.

Trauma
Trauma surgery and treatment is the most high-pressure environment on the list. It involves the care of immediate accidents. You’ll deal with time sensitive cases that arrive by ambulance and in the accident and emergency hall. As always, a further four-year residency is essential.

Nurse
Nurses are the lifeblood of our hospitals. They specialize in the care of patients right through their stay. You’ll be responsible for looking after patients and monitoring treatments. You’ll also help diagnose conditions and illnesses through regular care and attention. To become a nurse, you’ll need a foundation degree in order to practice. From there you’ll specialize in adults, children, mental health or learning disabilities. The degree involves a healthy balance of on-the-job training and classwork.

Medical Assistant
The medical assistant is a relatively new position in the health service, but an essential one. It’s a great choice if you don’t have a medical degree in your pocket. In most cases, a medical assistant can start with just a little training and a few exams. Compared to doctors, there are fewer medical assistants requirements to be certified. Once qualified, you’ll be taking patients’ vitals, checking medical histories and performing injections.

Dentistry
You may not realize, but dentistry involves much more than teeth! A dentist must identify any potential illnesses or conditions that form in the mouth. That means a full understanding and knowledge of the body. It’s a long, five-year dentistry degree followed by a four-year residency. From there you can pursue a general dentistry practice or specialize. Specialties can include trauma dentistry and reconstruction. It could also be aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry.

Health care and support
Health care doesn’t start and end with the doctors and nurses. If a patient has suffered a long-term injury, they’ll need constant care and rehabilitation. That’s where care workers and support staff come in. Your options here are wide and vast. For example, you could pursue a career in physiotherapy or occupational therapy. You’ll help patients get back on their feet after a difficult injury. You could be a home care worker helping the elderly with day to day tasks.

Pharmaceuticals
Finally, you could find yourself in the world of pharmaceuticals. Pharmacies hold the key to prescriptions and deal with medicines and dosages. It’s a very scientific pursuit and skills in chemistry and biology will be essential. As for the qualification, it’s a two-year foundation degree followed by three or four years training.

There are so many more options that we couldn’t fit into this article today. There are specialists in cancer, cosmetic surgery and bones to explore too. If you’re still convinced that a career in medicine is right for you, congratulations. Follow the advice here and you’ll be on the path to a rewarding life.

Photo by G Point Studio

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