When considering healthcare careers, most people automatically envision generic doctors and nurses. However, there are so many unique careers in the healthcare industry that people either overlook, or are simply just unaware of. Today I am going to introduce some of these healthcare professions and hopefully you might learn of a new one that peaks your interest!
To begin, the first profession I am sharing is an Anesthesiologist Assistant. Although this one is not super unique or unknown, I don’t think it is talked about enough as I think it is a great healthcare profession to consider. If you are someone who is calm and who possesses good communication skills and attention to detail, then you would likely be successful in this profession.
Anesthesiologist Assistants are professionals who work under and assist licensed anesthesiologists (anesthesia providers), in an anesthesiology care team. They help design, plan and implement anesthesia procedures so that anesthesia is delivered safely and efficiently. They often work in hospitals and surgery centers.
Some of the more specific responsibilities of an Anesthesiologist assistant include:
-Taking a health history of the patient as well as a physical exam to insure that nothing might affect the anesthesia.
-Administering lab tests (taking blood)
-preparing the patient to be monitored
-pre-testing anesthesia delivery systems and monitors
-inducing and sustaining anesthesia levels
-providing care in recovery unit
(These are just some of the responsibilities, however, there are more.)
As an Anesthesiologist Assistant, the schooling process is still quite lengthy with about 6 years of higher education, however there is an excellent job outlook with the average salary being very high. This job is also in high demand because of the need for people to deliver anesthesia to patients.
If you are interested in this career and would like to read more on it and the education process required in order to get there, please feel free to check out these sources: How to become an anesthesiologist assistant; American Society of Anesthesiologists
The next career I would like to highlight is a dental hygienist.
This one is also pretty common, but separate from the main dentist. As a dental hygienist, you are a preventative oral health professional that is licensed in dental hygiene to provide educational, clinical, research, and more to promote oral health. They work in dentist offices, hospitals, and more.
Some of the responsibilities of a dental hygienist are:
-Plaque removal
-removal of calculus and stains
-processing dental x-rays
-applying cavity-preventive agents
-administering antimicrobial agents
-sometimes they also might carve filling materials, remove sutures, polish restorations, and more
As a dental hygienist you should have good communication skills as you will be interacting with patients daily, and you should of course be passionate about oral hygiene and dental practices.
Dental hygienists must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, and be licensed to practice. To become a dental hygienist, the range of higher education is around 2-6 years.
If you are interested in this career, you can read more here: Adha. Explore health careers.
The third career I am going to mention is a travel nurse.
Although you have most definitely heard of a typical nurse, not everyone is aware of travel nurses. If you are someone who is passionate about healthcare but also enjoys traveling, this job may be for you. A travel nurse is a nurse with a clinical background that works in temporary nursing roles in different places. As a travel nurse you can work at different places with prestigious doctors and also help fulfill staffing needs during shortages.
Here are some of the common travel nursing specialties:
-Intensive care Unit
-Medical surgery
-Emergency room
-Progressive care unit
-Operating room
-and more
Travel nurses jobs are quite flexible as they are able to choose their length of assignment as well as location of work. To become a travel nurse, you must complete a nurse training program, then pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and finally apply for licensure. Basically, it can take anywhere from 2-4 years to become a travel nurse.
If you are interested in this career, you can read more here: Registered Nursing
I hope that you may have found insight into a new profession that you may not have considered previously. I also encourage you to do your own research as well if you are interested in this vast field as there are so many different positions that are not as mainstream, but might be suitable and valuable for you. You can search and explore healthcare careers here at: Explorehealthcareers
If you would like more help with career exploration, pick up a Career Exploration Guide or make an appointment with a career consultant at the Fleishman Center!
