When you think of careers in the health industry, the first thing that likely comes to mind is doctors and nurses. However, there are plenty of other jobs outside of medicine that can make a significant impact on people’s lives. From helping to manage healthcare facilities to providing vital health services to underserved communities, here are six non-medical careers in the health industry that can change people’s lives.
Health Administrator
Working as a Health Administrator can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career choice. Whether you work at a large healthcare institution or manage your own practice, you will have the opportunity to positively impact patient and staff experiences.
Health Administrators require strong leadership skills, an understanding of basic medical procedures, communication capabilities with patients and other professionals, and the ability to multitask between different roles within the facility. Although challenging at times, it is inspiring to know that as a Health Administrator, you can help people receive the care they need when they need it most.
Health Educator
Working as a Health Educator can be extremely rewarding because it allows you to adhere to core values such as community health and wellness, education, and positive lifestyle change. As a Health Educator, you would pursue initiatives that reduce risks, address social determinants of health, and promote healthy behaviors to improve the overall health of individuals, families, and communities.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with public officials and local partners to address evidence-based strategies that aim to provide equitable access to quality healthcare services. If you enjoy helping others and have strong communication skills, working as a Health Educator may be the right fit.
Death Doula
Becoming a Death Doula is a gratifying career where you can provide people with meaningful and compassionate support in their dying process. By enrolling in online training for end-of-life doulas, you gain the skills needed to help individuals prepare psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually for death – as well as help to create a supportive and comforting atmosphere at the time of death.
There are many practical aspects of the job, too, such as organizing documents or taking care of personal belongings. Becoming a Death Doula isn’t just a job; it is a powerful and incredible experience that can comfort those who need it most.
Public Health Analyst/Planner
A career as a Public Health Analyst/Planner can be gratifying and provides the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities. The role involves working with public health departments, hospital systems, non-profits, and other organizations to assess population health needs and develop innovative strategies to address them.
It requires important analytical skills such as data analysis, projection modeling, and research design. Furthermore, one must be able to effectively communicate their findings in order to support collaborative decision-making that can drive meaningful change. Those looking for an impactful career in public health will flourish in this field as they embark on making a positive difference every day.
Social Worker
Working as a Social Worker is fulfilling, although quite challenging. It requires an individual to have strong problem-solving and communication skills in order to assist individuals and communities effectively. At times, patience and compassion are needed to gain confidence from those looking for help. Social Workers must stay current on best practices for helping others manage their own resources, settings, and physical situations in safe, effective ways.
From helping individuals find employment or housing to advocating for clients in court settings, the work of social workers is crucial to the well-being of so many people. Ultimately it’s more than just a job – pushing those you assist from difficult circumstances into a better life is incredibly rewarding.
Research Scientist/Pharmaceutical Scientist
Research scientists play an important role in developing new drugs or treatments for illnesses or diseases by conducting research into different medications or therapies that could potentially benefit patients’ health outcomes.
Pharmaceutical scientists focus specifically on developing new drug treatments by researching how certain compounds react when combined with other chemicals or substances. Both types of scientists require specialized knowledge of biology and chemistry but can make an invaluable contribution toward improving public health around the world.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s through providing resources directly to individuals in need or conducting research into treatments for serious illnesses or diseases, there are countless ways that professionals outside of medicine can make a positive difference in people’s lives through careers in the healthcare industry. Becoming a healthcare professional doesn’t always mean becoming a doctor or nurse; there are many other roles that can positively contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Consider exploring any of the aforementioned careers if you’re looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare.