Students had fewer choices to select a major or a field of study in the past, but not the case right now. With a variety of fields to choose from, students are opting for unique professions. The health field is no different. Over the years, it has become diverse with multiple offshoots, all with the single goal of helping the people.
Some professions like a nurse or a doctor are very common, and everyone knows about them. But there is a long list of occupations that are not too common but work tirelessly to lead the healthcare industry, providing the best medical care to the profession. For instance, it is not uncommon for people to go to an orthopedic surgeon after an accident. Till here, everything looks pretty familiar. What about all the experts who designed and made prosthetic arms? These people and professions are not very visible, but still, they are there to help. The messiahs working behind the scenes and on the peripherals have made a difference in healthcare.
If you are also interested in helping the community but want to choose a not-so-common profession, here are some suggestions for gaining popularity these days for unconventional health fields.
Chapter Overview
Epidemiology research associate
One of the unconventional careers gaining popularity is in the field of epidemiology. It is about understanding how the disease patterns apply to the human population at large. An epidemiology researcher studies the causes, patterns, impacts of disease on the public. The minimum educational requirement for becoming an epidemiology research associate is to have a master’s in public health (MPH) degree. During covid-19, offline classes have not been possible for fear of the spread of disease. So enrolling in the MPH online program is the best option to work and study simultaneously. Online study is ideal for medical professionals who are equally needed on the ground.
Often the work of these researchers is related to collecting samples and working in the field. It is an admirable career option for people already working in this field or having a medical background. Others work in the hospitals, community health situations, and local health departments. The median salary of an epidemiology researcher is $53,769 per year.
Prosthetics Technician
It is another essential yet unconventional career in healthcare. You are often familiar with the doctor dealing with you at the clinic but oblivious to those functioning behind the scene to make it possible. A prosthetic technician is such a person for you.
The development of prosthetic arms has revolutionized the healthcare and curability of certain complex medical conditions. The work of a prosthetic technician is to develop and repair the prosthetics for the clients. Their routine job duties include working with the technology to fit the prosthetics to the client, selecting the suitable material for making the new prosthetic, and everything related to it. They usually work in hospitals, private clinics, manufacturing facilities. According to ZipRecruiter, The top-earning technicians in this field can make as much as $59,000 per year.
Refugee coordinator
It is an interesting field in the public healthcare field. With the mass refugee crisis going on globally, their job seems more relevant and meaningful now. The work of a refugee coordinator is to develop, implement and sustain refugee settlements. They provide help and relief to the refugees, asylum seekers, and human trafficking victims and offer them all the protection needed. A refugee coordinator works in teams with other members doing similar duties. They also work in office settings and coordinate with the on-the-field and off-the-field teams. According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a refugee coordinator is $47,109 per year.
Medical illustrators
They are professional artists with extensive training in medicine and science. They develop the visual communication tools used in the field of medicine and life sciences. Their job revolves around transforming the medical information into images that can be shown to patients and other medical experts to understand the medical situation. They are often self-employed; most offer their services regardless of association with a medical center or hospital. However, some do work at medical schools, animation firms, and other institutions with similar needs. Due to the uniqueness of their work, they make quite a handsome salary of $89,000-$122,000 annually. Most medical illustrators hold a master’s degree in medical illustration. In the US, these programs are currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs.
Radiation Therapist
These therapists provide radiation treatment to patients fighting cancer and other diseases where such a treatment is required. They explain the whole procedure to the patients, take precautionary measures to protect them during the treatment. A significant part of their job is calibrating and handling complex and potentially dangerous machines and recording the patients’ information. Often they work in the local and state hospitals, but some have their private clinics too. According to the 2020 data, the median salary of radiation therapists is $86,850 or $41.76 per hour.
Conclusion
The medical field has spread into various offshoots. It has integrated with many other areas such as art and design, management and administration, etc. Some of these fields are a little familiar, while others are unknown to the larger public. Regardless of their publicity and familiarity with the public, they play an extensive role in healthcare and help people. That is why people are now exploring these fields of healthcare that not only pay well but are unique in the sector.