It Takes a Village: Alternative Careers in Healthcare

PABLO ASHI – “La medicina es una carrera increíble, ser médico es gratificante y exitoso.” “Medicine is an amazing career, being a doctor is rewarding and successful.” 

Growing up, my Colombian abuelo often expressed his desire for me to follow in his footsteps. To him, being a doctor didn’t only mean having a rewarding career as an OB/GYN, but also giving him a life he couldn’t have imagined for himself growing up. Hearing his stories from the OR and about patient relationships gave me my primary interest in the field, and if you’re reading this article, you probably had something that lit that spark for you too. I think we can all agree with my abuelo that medicine is an amazing career, yet the words “medicine” and “being a doctor” aren’t synonymous.

In fact, delivering medical care takes a village. Take a hospital: one can find doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, X-ray technicians, respiratory therapists, social workers, the list goes on. Pursuing a career in healthcare doesn’t have to mean pursuing an MD, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations are projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. It’s a career where things are different every day, innovation is constantly developing, and the possibilities are endless. 

If you’re interested in what else medicine has to offer, let’s highlight 5 other careers that may interest you. Median salaries and education requirements are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. Nurse Practitioner

Median Salary: $129,480

Degree Required: Registered Nurse & Master’s Degree

Description: Focus on patient observation and care just like a registered nurse, but are able to prescribe treatments, order tests, and diagnose patients like a doctor. This job provides more freedom than an RN but does not require as much training as needed for an MD. 

2. Radiology Technician

Median Salary: $76,020

Degree Required: Associate Degree

Description: Experts on X-rays, CT Scans, and mammograms, and can therefore assist physicians in interpreting diagnostic results. This career can be exciting because cases may be different every day and it is up to the radiology technician to help decipher tests.

3. Respiratory Therapist

Median Salary: $77,960

Degree Required: Associate’s degree

Description: Get to work directly with patients who are having respiratory issues, anywhere from asthma to victims of drowning. Respiratory therapists are a key part of the hospital team, helping ease patients as they recover from their ailments. 

4. Genetic Counselor

Median Salary: $95,770

Degree Required: Master’s degree

Description: Examine a patient’s family history to gain insight into their chances of passing disease or disorders to their offspring. This career is a form of personalized medicine, where the counselor’s role is to tailor advice to the specific patient, learning their story and helping them make an informed decision about the next generation. 

5. Healthcare Consultant

Median Salary: $55,508

Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree

Description: If you’re interested in healthcare but not science or anatomy, healthcare administration is a great career path. Consultants provide their financial expertise to help increase a clinic or hospital’s profit margins through the analysis of data and the creation of strategies. Careers like this are essential to help improve the delivery of medicine and quality of care. 

These are just 5 careers in a long list of alternatives in healthcare. No matter which you choose, contributing to the field can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding. The Lake Country Rural Health Initiative supports the education of future providers because they believe in equal access to care across all communities. With more individuals entering the multi-faceted industry, the more we’ll be able to support vulnerable populations, including those in rural areas. It truly takes a village; every role shares the mission of improving lives, proving that medicine’s impact extends far beyond a white coat. 

Copy Editor – Ashaar Bakshi

Photo Source – https://spinalmuscularatrophy.net/living/it-takes-village