Complete Guide For Health Science Careers

The Many Opportunities in Health Science Career

What is health science?

Health science is a wide list of distinct disciplines that deploy knowledge in science, engineering, mathematics and technology for the delivery of health care to humans and animals. The branches of health science are diverse and almost endless, they span through traditional and conventional Western medicine as well as alternative and folk medicine. This can sometimes include spiritual-based healing methods and processes.

 

Health Science Degree Career Options

There are several degree option in Health sciences. These include Bachelor of Science degree in Health science, Master’s Degree in health science and PhD’s.  A Health Science degree positions you, to benefits handsomely from the various opportunities available in your chosen specialty. Graduates of a degree program in Health Sciences will normally possess valuable problem-solving, computational, communication, organizational and statistical skills that are essential for a wide range of employment and career opportunities in the health sciences. These are often delivered within the practical framework of knowledge and concepts in epidemiology, determinants of health, critical thinking, and human biology. Some of the Health Science major include Health Services Planning & Evaluation, Promoting Physical Activity & Health, and Health Promotion for Indigenous Communities, Health Policy in Practice, and Influencing Health Behaviors due to the importance of health education. Graduate of health science are equipped to translate evidence-based knowledge into programs and policy.  See the Top 5 Public Health Nursing Programs

Job Opportunities for Health Sciences Graduates

As earlier established, the job opportunities for health science graduates are endless these includes the various bachelor of science in health science career options as well as other major opportunities for advanced  degree holders , the list includes:

1. International Health Organizations
2. Health charities & foundations
3. Public & private research (agriculture, chemical, environment)
4. Health prevention & promotion
5. Government & related agencies
6. Post-secondary institutions
7. Health and Workplace Safety Inspection agencies & boards
8. Recreation organizations
9. Scientific magazines, journals
10.  Waste water treatment
11.  Industry & laboratories (pharmaceutical, medical, agriculture, food production, manufacturing, environmental)
12. Hospitals
13. Public health authorities,
14. Private medical clinics
15. Rehabilitation centers,
16. Pharmaceutical sales
17. Insurance companies & law firms
18. Consulting
19. Private sector companies

 

Health Science Job Description

Health science job description depends largely on the chosen specialty. There are several specialties within health science, the list of occupations within health science include:

Occupation	Health Science Job Description
Diagnostic services	They work in mainly clinical laboratory where they carry out diagnostic duties.
Health educators	Develop programs and teach people about health and wellness.
Therapeutic services	These are health science jobs focused mainly on changing or improving the health status of individuals over time through treatment and direct care.
Support Services	Health scientist involved in support services are often concerned with the promotion of health directly and through various other means.
Health informatics	Job description of health informatics involves the deployment computational techniques that are relevant in healthcare.
Biotechnology	Biotechnology in health science involves the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products using bio-scientific concepts, tools and applications.
Research	The job description of health scientist involved in research is wide. It often involves conducting double-blind peer-reviewed studies related to health.

 

Health science professionals who work in hospitals, dental offices and laboratories, have a defined role of working as unit to improve, promote and protect health. The health scientist with clinical job descriptions include

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapist in health science assist in recovery from injury and surgeries. They help patients with motor control issues and others who need to relearn how to walk again with or without a prosthesis.
• Medical Assistants: Medical assistant in health science work in clinics, hospitals and doctors offices where they perform clinical as well as administrative duties.
• Occupational Therapists:An occupational therapist in Health Science assist patients to re-learn how to conduct the business of daily life. Such as helping someone adjust to a new lifestyle after surgery or trauma to teaching others how to use bathroom again.
• Physicians:As the engine room of the healthcare industry, medical doctors are life-blood of the healthcare industry. They form the major structure on which most health science profession are built.

 

Health science degree salary

One of the major considerations health workers make before taking up any job is the salary and compensations that comes with the job. The average salary of most Health Science Degree graduates is dependent on the specialization in health science an individual chooses to pursue. Other important factors which influence health science degree salary is education, certifications, experience, location, position, employer, benefits, and job performance. In most organizations, the typical starting Health Science Degree Salary is around $39,000 per year and a physician assistant can earn up to $125,000 per year.

 

Median Salaries for selected health science professionals

Health services managers is around – $84,000

Health system analyst – $66,000

Medical assistant – $41,000

Health program coordinator – $56,000.

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 Tips on how and Where to find health science jobs

1. Start Early – The first tip to finding a health sciences job is to start a job search early typically one or two years before graduation. In fact, most professionals in health science suggest that it’s not a bad idea to start charting that first professional job even before you get into the four walls of a university or college
2. Maximize the Benefits of Student Clubs and Professional Organizations – Student bodies and professional organization are unique places to find opportunities while in school. Networking with professionals and other students in your chosen field will ensure that you never miss any opportunity.
3. Enroll for Internships and Undergraduate Research Programmes – One important opportunity most college graduates failed to take are internship roles. Taking up a summer internship with a company or organization that offers jobs within your chosen field or signing up for an undergraduate research opportunity will significantly boost your chances of securing your choice job when you graduate.
4. Licensing, Fellowship and Certification:  A certification or fellowship sets you apart from the pack and significantly increase your employability. Many health science professions require employees to obtain a license. Professional licensing and certifications may not be a requirement for a specific health science job. However, many employers only consider job candidates who possess such credentials.

 

Health Science Job Search Resources

• American Academy of Physicians Assistants
• American Dental Education Association
• American Public Health Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Explore health Careers
• Idealist Careers
• National Environmental Health Association
• National League for Nursing
• O*Net Online

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