10 Health Science Careers For The Caring & Analytical

Health sciences is a broad and multifaceted discipline with a host of fulfilling careers covering both health and behavioural sciences. With a degree in health science, the sky (and your passion) is the limit for where you can take your career.

You can enter a number of different roles based on where your interests lie. It’s the perfect field for someone who thinks more analytically and wants to work in science, but desires daily, meaningful interactions with other people. 

Having an abundance of career options is wonderful in terms of choice, but it can also be overwhelming. It’s easy to get bogged down in all the variety, especially when you want to pick one that suits your skills and interests.

These are the top 10 careers in health science that will fulfil your analytical mind and your heart.

Behaviour analysts work with people of all ages, but most commonly children with autism and developmental disabilities, and adults suffering from memory loss or substance abuse disorders. They apply positive reinforcement techniques to help their patients develop new and more constructive behaviours. 

• Design and implement therapy programs 
• Identify problematic behaviour patterns 
• Record patients progress 
• Liaise with co-workers and other professionals about the welfare and treatment plan of patient 

Community health workers are frontline workers who have a unique and close understanding of the community they work with. This awareness allows them to act as a liaison between health/social services and their community to improve communications between the two groups. 

• Helping individuals, families, groups and communities develop their capacity and access to resources, such as health insurance, food and housing 
• Administering immunisations or other preventative treatments 
• Advising community on improving general health and self care
• Identifying the particular health needs of individuals in the community or target area
• Advocate the health needs of the community to government bodies

If this sounds like the career for you, explore your training options.

Hearing aid specialists have expertise in hearing defects, communication impairments and balance issues. They work with people of all ages who need help preserving, managing and improving their hearing. 

• Administering hearing tests and interpreting results
• Taking ear impressions, if hearing aids are the suitable option 
• Training patients and family members to use hearing aids
• Maintaining and repair hearing devices 
• Liaising with other medical professionals 
• Communicating with patients and their family 

Allied health is the perfect stepping stone to this career. Explore your study options.

Mental health counsellors meet with clients of all ages to discuss their mental, emotional and lifestyle issues. They help clients come up with action plans, goals and strategies to address these issues. They might also host group counselling sessions or help mediate conflicts between couples. 

• Ensuring the mental welfare of their patients
• Liaising with other health professionals in the circumstance you’re worried about the welfare of your patient 
• Facilitating healthy communication between clients in group sessions
• Identifying strategies that would be helpful for their clients to use in daily life
• Recording the progress of their patients 

Find out what you could learn in a counselling course.

Patient care advocates help patients communicate with their doctors and other healthcare providers so they can make informed decisions. They commonly work with people who have difficulty understanding, retaining or weighing significant information. 

• Liaising with the relevant healthcare professionals 
• Setting up and organising appointments and medical tests for patients 
• Helping clients organise financial, legal and social support
• Interviewing patients to identify their care needs and problems 
• Assisting patients with choosing their doctor (and other medical professionals)

Physical therapists help people who are injured or ill to improve their movement and manage pain. They are often involved in preventative care, treatment or rehabilitation for patients with chronic illnesses, diseases or unexpected injuries.

• Developing treatment plans to improve their patient’s ability to move 
• Reducing or managing a patient’s pain 
• Restoring function 
• Preventing disability 
• Consulting with patients about their symptoms and physical condition 
• Teach patients how to properly use treatment techniques 

Occupational therapists focus on promoting health and wellbeing to their patients in their everyday lives. In this field you will find yourself working with people from all different age groups with a wide range of conditions. Commonly, you’ll help people with mental illness, and physical and learning difficulties. 

• Evaluating a patient’s conditions and needs 
• Developing a treatment plan to improve a patient’s condition 
• Assessing a patient’s home and/or work environment and recommend adaptations to help improve their independence and fit their needs
• Working with other Health Professionals in overall case management of clients
• Recording a client’s progress
• Maintaining a professional relationship in accordance with relevant legislative requirements and ethical guidelines

Medical sonographers are medical practitioners who operate ultrasound equipment and interpret the images to patients and other professionals. These images help doctors to diagnose and treat their patients.

• Receiving referrals to perform imaging
• Performing medical imaging 
• Liaising with other medical professionals about patient care
• Communicating with patient and family 
• Determining appropriate equipment to use based on patient needs

Radiologists are expected to operate radiologic equipment that aids in the diagnosing of a patient. In this field they work alongside other medical professionals and have close contact with patients and their families. 

• Taking x-rays of injured patients 
• Liaising with co-workers and others in the medical profession
• Operating the relevant equipment to help with a diagnosis
• Communicating with the patient and their family 
• Understanding the dangers that come from working with radiologic technology and taking the appropriate safety precautions  

Research assistants provide support to research teams who are conducting experiments or gathering data. They commonly work in organisations such as medical research centres, universities, or consulting firms. 

• Helping lead researchers carry out experiments 
• Collecting, recording and analysing data
• Preparing the model that displays the data
• Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment 
• Preparing scientific papers and reports

A job in the health sciences field is one with endless potential. You can focus your analytical brain while also seeking fulfilment in many of the various occupations. It is the perfect occupational area for someone looking to pivot or start anew, because of the limitless job growth and enticing pay. 

Now that you’ve had a glimpse into what a career in health sciences could look like and the various places it may take you, spend some time browsing the range of courses to get an even better understanding about what you can learn in this field.