Choosing a medical career means that you will be part of a continually growing industry that has thousands of job openings available.
Ten top medical careers are:
Physicians
Physicians are always needed. Their salaries are among the highest of all medical professionals. They can specialize in family medicine, orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiology, oncology and many other fields. Several years of training, a medical degree, licensure and residency are required. Once this is accomplished, physicians can potentially earn several hundred thousand dollars a year or more.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses are in high demand. They can work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and other medical facilities in fields such as labor and delivery, pediatrics, ICU,critical care and medical/surgery. Requirements include a nursing degree, hands-on training in a clinical setting and passing the national exam for licensure. RNs can make up to $52 per hour, depending upon their field and years of experience.
Physician Assistants
This is one of the quickest growing areas in the healthcare industry. They help physicians with patient examinations, give injections, do lab tests and the like. PAs need two years experience or more, must have training and must pass a certification examination. Physician assistants can earn from $40,000 up to $100,000 annually, depending upon location, standing and experience.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists fill and dispense medications, as prescribed by licensed physicians and provide information to patients about their medications. They can work in settings as diverse as drug stores, hospitals, private care facilities and more. Requirements include training, obtaining a Pharm.D degree and passing the national and state licensure exams. Starting salary can be as much as $75,000-$81,000 annually.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists work in clinics, hospitals and even private homes. They work to help individuals who have experienced mobility issues related to medical conditions or physical injuries to recuperate. Requirements are an undergrad degree in physical therapy, training in a clinical setting and licensure. Average salary is from $40,000 to $86,000.
Health Service Management
Health service managers, as their title indicates, manage and supervise medical services in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Requirements are bachelor’s or master’s degree in Administration. The average salary is $55,380.
Medical Technologists
Medical technologists help with lab testing, such as analyzing blood, urine and tissue samples that help physicians to diagnose an individual patient’s condition A medical technologist can be employed in such facilities as clinics, hospitals, and pharmaceutical laboratories. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, clinical-setting training, certification and, in some states, licensure. Average salary is $54,000.
Biomedical Equipment Technicians
This job involves repairing important equipment in clinics and hospitals. Requirements include training, an associate’s degree in the field of engineering or in med technology, Average salary is $45,000.
Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists work in hospital settings by managing the operating room duties, getting the operating room ready and passing surgical instruments to attending surgeons during medical procedures and operations. Requirements include training, an associates degree and, in some states, you must pass an examination for certification. Average salary is $40,000.
