3 answers
Elizabeth
Student
United States
1
Question
Asked
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What are things I should consider before choosing to be in the Health Career ?
At school, I am most interested in anatomy and math, while my hobbies include reading and watching medical tv shows I find them so interesting and I know that its not like that in the real life but helping people is what I really like to do . A topic that I am passionate about is medical field , its very fascinating. What are some career options that best align with these interests and what are some helpful next steps I can do in the near future?
#career #career-choice #healthcareer #medicinefield #healthcare #medicine #nurse
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3 answers
Sarah Cook, MS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
10
Answers
McKinney, Texas
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
A couple ideas to consider that combine math and medicine:
Respiratory Therapist - they help patients who are having trouble breathing normally. It’s an associates or bachelor’s degree, depending on the program. They’re often employed in hospitals. There is a lot of math/physics involved in caring for the cardiopulmonary system. They interview and examine patients for respiratory and heart/lung disorders, work with physicians to develop treatment plans, perform tests on their patients like measuring lung capacity, treat patients using several methods from nebulizers to ventilators, monitor how therapy is helping the patient and adjust in coordination with the physician, and also educate patients how to use their medication and any equipment they or caregiver will need to manage themselves.
Exercise Physiologist - they create fitness and exercise programs for patients who are ill or injured. It takes at least a bachelor’s degree. Some work in hospitals or for providers, but many have their own businesses (self-employed). This, too, involves some physics and a lot of anatomy/medicine. They go over a patient’s medical history to determine any risks exercise would pose and to figure out what exercises and fitness programs would be best for them. They do diagnostic testing, including stress tests on the patient’s heart to help guide their decisions. They monitor the patient’s heart rate and rhythm, oxygen use, blood pressure, and other measures of the patient’s health during exercise. They monitor and modify the patient’s treatment plan as needed to achieve the best result.
You might also explore these other occupations that combine medicine and math: physical or occupational therapist, pharmacist, sonographer, clinical laboratory technician, radiographer, health information technician, occupational health and safety specialist, cardiovascular technologist, nurse anesthetist, or chiropractor.
Best of luck to you, Elizabeth.
Research, research, research these professions. What the work involves. The training. Day-to-day duties. Pay. If that kind of work is available in your area (or where you want to live).
Get in touch with people in these professions and ask for advice and perspective, including what a day looks like for them. You want something that fits with your lifestyle. (Try LinkedIn to find people, if you need some help.)
Start some college classes, if you haven't already, including basic prereqs like algebra or calculus, biology, chemistry. Start looking at what courses the profession(s) you're considering require. If you're still considering >1 occupation, take the course requirements that overlap first.
Talk to some current students of the program(s) you're considering. See how they're finding their training. Maybe you can get a leg up with that information and make sure the program's right for you..
Take the plunge and apply to your chosen program!
Respiratory Therapist - they help patients who are having trouble breathing normally. It’s an associates or bachelor’s degree, depending on the program. They’re often employed in hospitals. There is a lot of math/physics involved in caring for the cardiopulmonary system. They interview and examine patients for respiratory and heart/lung disorders, work with physicians to develop treatment plans, perform tests on their patients like measuring lung capacity, treat patients using several methods from nebulizers to ventilators, monitor how therapy is helping the patient and adjust in coordination with the physician, and also educate patients how to use their medication and any equipment they or caregiver will need to manage themselves.
Exercise Physiologist - they create fitness and exercise programs for patients who are ill or injured. It takes at least a bachelor’s degree. Some work in hospitals or for providers, but many have their own businesses (self-employed). This, too, involves some physics and a lot of anatomy/medicine. They go over a patient’s medical history to determine any risks exercise would pose and to figure out what exercises and fitness programs would be best for them. They do diagnostic testing, including stress tests on the patient’s heart to help guide their decisions. They monitor the patient’s heart rate and rhythm, oxygen use, blood pressure, and other measures of the patient’s health during exercise. They monitor and modify the patient’s treatment plan as needed to achieve the best result.
You might also explore these other occupations that combine medicine and math: physical or occupational therapist, pharmacist, sonographer, clinical laboratory technician, radiographer, health information technician, occupational health and safety specialist, cardiovascular technologist, nurse anesthetist, or chiropractor.
Best of luck to you, Elizabeth.
Sarah recommends the following next steps:
Awesome answer, Sarah. I agree with everything you said!
Susan Delphine Delaney
Jon Wasson
Product Director
24
Answers
Powhatan, Virginia
Updated
Jon’s Answer
Health is a rather broad field. You might work with patients, do research, analyze data or experiments/trials, or maybe even work in the supporting business, administrative side or technology departments. You could work as a provider (doctor/nurse) or an institution (hospital or health system) or a research group (lab or university or other facility). Any of these have support teams too. Plus you could extend the possibilities by working directly with members (patient applications) or health plans or even government institutions (i.e. CDC, CMS, etc.). So many options!
At a minimum, begin focusing on your possible courses to insure they are science heavy. Find out if biology, or chemistry, or other sciences are truly exciting to pursue and you find yourself enjoying and excelling in them. In college there will many more possible classes that deeper and of course more difficult, but with the right level of interest and passion, you'll do great!
Learning in the real world is always the best... do you know any doctors or nurses? Family, friends, neighbors, etc. may be willing to give you more details on their day-to-day at work or even let you tag along for the day. Maybe you could volunteer at clinic to see even more real world experiences. Try to find an internship if you can! This will give you the best view of how the field works plus make sure colleges and future employers see you as a go-getter.
As you mentioned you enjoy reading, are you reading more than just fiction/novels? Make sure to find some solid online health career website or journals and dive deep into the detail. What aspects do you find fascinating? What items are less interesting? Use that info to filter your google searches for new and exciting websites and articles.
Good luck, stay proactive (that is a great trait by the way) and keep pursuing your dreams!
At a minimum, begin focusing on your possible courses to insure they are science heavy. Find out if biology, or chemistry, or other sciences are truly exciting to pursue and you find yourself enjoying and excelling in them. In college there will many more possible classes that deeper and of course more difficult, but with the right level of interest and passion, you'll do great!
Learning in the real world is always the best... do you know any doctors or nurses? Family, friends, neighbors, etc. may be willing to give you more details on their day-to-day at work or even let you tag along for the day. Maybe you could volunteer at clinic to see even more real world experiences. Try to find an internship if you can! This will give you the best view of how the field works plus make sure colleges and future employers see you as a go-getter.
As you mentioned you enjoy reading, are you reading more than just fiction/novels? Make sure to find some solid online health career website or journals and dive deep into the detail. What aspects do you find fascinating? What items are less interesting? Use that info to filter your google searches for new and exciting websites and articles.
Good luck, stay proactive (that is a great trait by the way) and keep pursuing your dreams!
Bonnie Allen
Assoc. Director Technology
56
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Bonnie’s Answer
since you like math, consider the technology side of the healthcare industry. Visit Udacity.com and get some advice about technology and healthcare. IBMs Watson is diagnosing patients. Pretty cool. Get a couple of Nanodegrees and who knows where you’ll go. I did it and I am so glad I did because it helped me be clear about next steps
Bonnie recommends the following next steps: