4 answers
Camryn
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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What kind of careers would you recommend if I wanted to be in the medical field?
I am a freshman in High School and my Mom and Aunt are in the medical field. I look up to them a lot. I have always wanted to help people and also be in the medical field. I just want some careers to choose from.
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4 answers
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Hi Camryn!
To get into the medical field, a lot of people start as emergency medical technicians or scribes. EMTs are the ones with the paramedics in ambulances and do a lot of hands-on work. They can always work in the emergency department. I think the age limitation for an EMT is 18, however, there are junior EMT programs if you want to volunteer!
https://www.scvolunteerfire.org/volunteer-opportunities/juniors
Another way to get into the medical field is through the military. The youngest you have to be to join is 17 though I suggest waiting until 18.
Many hospitals also need volunteers if you would be interested in that.
Otherwise, consider going straight into a college program such as getting your BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) which will allow you to work almost anywhere. Or keep going and get your Physician's Assistant, Nurse Practioner, etc license. Or really keep going and become a physician!
To get into the medical field, a lot of people start as emergency medical technicians or scribes. EMTs are the ones with the paramedics in ambulances and do a lot of hands-on work. They can always work in the emergency department. I think the age limitation for an EMT is 18, however, there are junior EMT programs if you want to volunteer!
https://www.scvolunteerfire.org/volunteer-opportunities/juniors
Another way to get into the medical field is through the military. The youngest you have to be to join is 17 though I suggest waiting until 18.
Many hospitals also need volunteers if you would be interested in that.
Otherwise, consider going straight into a college program such as getting your BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) which will allow you to work almost anywhere. Or keep going and get your Physician's Assistant, Nurse Practioner, etc license. Or really keep going and become a physician!
Thank you for answering!!! I was looking into being a physician assistant. Is there anything you could tell me about that?
Camryn
This website gives a basic overview of the profession: https://www.aapa.org/about/what-is-a-pa/
What I basically know of it is that the programs are usually more affordable than physicians and you get to do basically 85% of what most doctors do. Other than that, I am unsure of the profession.
Kess French
Anju Saxena
Engineer
2
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Anju’s Answer
Hello Camryn,
Your family will be a big help to you as you decide the path forward.
I know we mostly think of doctors and nurses when we mention medical field, however I would like to mention that medical field provides many other job opportunities too for example - software. My daughter wanted to be in medical field as she like to help. She works as application manager for Hospital software company, working and helping medical staff in learning how to use tools to be more effective and efficient.
Your family will be a big help to you as you decide the path forward.
I know we mostly think of doctors and nurses when we mention medical field, however I would like to mention that medical field provides many other job opportunities too for example - software. My daughter wanted to be in medical field as she like to help. She works as application manager for Hospital software company, working and helping medical staff in learning how to use tools to be more effective and efficient.
Thank you for answering!!! i wanted to look into being a physician assistant, is there anything you can tell me about them?
Camryn
Cameron Lincoln
Cyber Risk & Regulatory Senior Associate
11
Answers
Columbia, Missouri
Updated
Cameron’s Answer
Hi Camryn!
The medical/healthcare field is a really broad and diverse one. In addition to doctors and nurses, there are a myriad of other ancillary professionals in healthcare. Physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, billing specialists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, radiological technicians, and laboratory scientists/medical technologists are just a small sample of different professions in healthcare. That also doesn't include business and other professional services that are required for operating a hospital or other healthcare organization, such as executives, compliance officers/specialists, accountants, attorneys, information technology specialists, cybersecurity professionals, etc.
A good starting point should be to ask yourself what aspect of healthcare interests you. Is it the business side? The technology employed? Helping patients directly or indirectly? Are you interested in patient interaction or would you prefer to work in a laboratory doing chemistry and testing? Would you prefer to specialize in CT scans and x-ray technology or would you like to focus on teaching people to walk again after a traumatic injury?
Based on these answers, you can start to narrow down your desired areas of study and start your journey toward a position in the medical/healthcare field.
I hope that helps some.
Cameron
The medical/healthcare field is a really broad and diverse one. In addition to doctors and nurses, there are a myriad of other ancillary professionals in healthcare. Physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, billing specialists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, radiological technicians, and laboratory scientists/medical technologists are just a small sample of different professions in healthcare. That also doesn't include business and other professional services that are required for operating a hospital or other healthcare organization, such as executives, compliance officers/specialists, accountants, attorneys, information technology specialists, cybersecurity professionals, etc.
A good starting point should be to ask yourself what aspect of healthcare interests you. Is it the business side? The technology employed? Helping patients directly or indirectly? Are you interested in patient interaction or would you prefer to work in a laboratory doing chemistry and testing? Would you prefer to specialize in CT scans and x-ray technology or would you like to focus on teaching people to walk again after a traumatic injury?
Based on these answers, you can start to narrow down your desired areas of study and start your journey toward a position in the medical/healthcare field.
I hope that helps some.
Cameron
Thank you for answering!! A career that has caught my eye is physician assistant. If you can, can you tell me anything about that?
Camryn
I'm not super familiar with PAs, but my understanding is that they act under physician supervision to treat patients, similar to the way APRNs (nurse practitioners) do. The training tends to be a master's program and they are paid fairly well. Here are a few links:
https://www.aapa.org/about/what-is-a-pa/
https://www.aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm
Cameron Lincoln
Eric Snow
MS. Mental Health/ Voc Rehab Counseling/ BS.RN. Nnursing
21
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Dear Camryn
I'm surprised at your inquiry. your family is the strongest influence and knowledge that you have. Take the time to talk to them what they went thru. They and you lived the life. Have you not seen your mother get up and worked and news of your Aunt in what she did ?? These are the best references you could ever have.
Ask your mother questions of how she had to study and taking care of you, and what she did to study, sometimes the answers lie within the question themselves. Ask them what they would have done differently if they had to do it over. One of the responsibilities of the health field is to interview. On a responsible level set up a series of questions that you would ask as a professional especially if you want to apply for a job in any field. You should always ask questions of an employer. What are the responsibilities I am to maintain? How do I deal with death, dismemberment, cancer and Faith. Take your time, I would advise you to go to your Government Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and ask to take a few interest test first, to find out what you really would like to do or create. Because something might feel right; but not be right for you. I hope I haven't confused you but keep God in mind follow His precepts and you will be fine.
I'm surprised at your inquiry. your family is the strongest influence and knowledge that you have. Take the time to talk to them what they went thru. They and you lived the life. Have you not seen your mother get up and worked and news of your Aunt in what she did ?? These are the best references you could ever have.
Ask your mother questions of how she had to study and taking care of you, and what she did to study, sometimes the answers lie within the question themselves. Ask them what they would have done differently if they had to do it over. One of the responsibilities of the health field is to interview. On a responsible level set up a series of questions that you would ask as a professional especially if you want to apply for a job in any field. You should always ask questions of an employer. What are the responsibilities I am to maintain? How do I deal with death, dismemberment, cancer and Faith. Take your time, I would advise you to go to your Government Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and ask to take a few interest test first, to find out what you really would like to do or create. Because something might feel right; but not be right for you. I hope I haven't confused you but keep God in mind follow His precepts and you will be fine.
Thank you for taking the time to answer me!!! My mom and Aunt told me about Physician assistants I want to look into that a lot more. Can you tell me anything about them?
Camryn
Sorry for the answer delay, no I don’t have that information but Doctors at a hospital would be your best source of information or your own personal physician ask them.
Also you could use your department of vocational rehabilitation and set up a educational plan, or go to your school counselor find the prerequisites get great grades. I would impress upon you to focus your studies to math, science, biology and chemistry at least until you make up your mind.
Just a thought
Eric Snow