10 Careers in Health Science For Caring and Analytical People

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.Â
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.
Job title | Median Pay |
---|---|
Behaviour analyst | $140k |
Community health worker | $78k |
Hearing aid specialist | $99k |
Mental health counsellor | $82k |
Patient care advocate | $84k |
Physical therapist | $73k |
Occupational therapist | $90k |
Registered diagnostic medical sonographer | $169k |
Registered radiologic technologist | $195k |
Research assistant or associate | $93k |
Table of Contents
- 1 Behaviour analyst
- 2 Client facing role
- 3 Unknown job growth
- 4 Community health worker
- 5 Client facing role
- 6 Medium job growth
- 7 Hearing aid specialist
- 8 Client facing role
- 9 Very strong job growth
- 10 Mental health counsellor
- 11 Client facing role
- 12 Strong job growth
- 13 Patient care advocate
- 14 Client facing role
- 15 Strong job growth
- 16 Physical therapist
- 17 Client facing role
- 18 Medium job growth
- 19 Occupational therapist
- 20 Client facing role
- 21 Strong job growth
- 22 Registered diagnostic medical sonographer
- 23 Client facing role
- 24 Very strong job growth
- 25 Registered radiologic technologist
- 26 Client facing role
- 27 Strong job growth
- 28 Research assistant or associate
- 29 Non-client facing role
- 30 Medium job growth
Behaviour analyst
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Design and implement therapy programsÂ
- Identify problematic behaviour patternsÂ
- Record patients progressÂ
- Liaise with co-workers and other professionals about the welfare and treatment plan of patientÂ
Client facing role
Unknown job growth
Community health worker
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Helping individuals, families, groups and communities develop their capacity and access to resources, such as health insurance, food and housingÂ
- Administering immunisations or other preventative treatmentsÂ
- 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
Client facing role
Medium job growth
Hearing aid specialist
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Administering hearing tests and interpreting results
- Taking ear impressions, if hearing aids are the suitable optionÂ
- Training patients and family members to use hearing aids
- Maintaining and repair hearing devicesÂ
- Liaising with other medical professionalsÂ
- Communicating with patients and their familyÂ
Client facing role
Very strong
job growth
Mental health counsellor
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Ensuring the mental welfare of their patients
- Liaising with other health professionals in the circumstance you’re worried about the welfare of your patientÂ
- 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 patientsÂ
Client facing role
Strong job growth
Patient care advocate
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Liaising with the relevant healthcare professionalsÂ
- Setting up and organising appointments and medical tests for patientsÂ
- Helping clients organise financial, legal and social support
- Interviewing patients to identify their care needs and problemsÂ
- Assisting patients with choosing their doctor (and other medical professionals)
Client facing role
Strong job growth
Physical therapist
Job description
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.
Key responsibilities
- Developing treatment plans to improve their patient’s ability to moveÂ
- Reducing or managing a patient’s painÂ
- Restoring functionÂ
- Preventing disabilityÂ
- Consulting with patients about their symptoms and physical conditionÂ
- Teach patients how to properly use treatment techniquesÂ
Client facing role
Medium job growth
Occupational therapist
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Evaluating a patient’s conditions and needsÂ
- Developing a treatment plan to improve a patient’s conditionÂ
- 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
Client facing role
Strong job growth
Registered diagnostic medical sonographer
Job description
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.
Key responsibilities
- Receiving referrals to perform imaging
- Performing medical imagingÂ
- Liaising with other medical professionals about patient care
- Communicating with patient and familyÂ
- Determining appropriate equipment to use based on patient needs
Client facing role
Very strong job growth
Registered radiologic technologist
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Taking x-rays of injured patientsÂ
- 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 familyÂ
- Understanding the dangers that come from working with radiologic technology and taking the appropriate safety precautions Â
Client facing role
Strong job growth
Research assistant or associate
Job description
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.Â
Key responsibilities
- Helping lead researchers carry out experimentsÂ
- Collecting, recording and analysing data
- Preparing the model that displays the data
- Operating and maintaining laboratory equipmentÂ
- Preparing scientific papers and reports
Non-client facing role
Medium job growth
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.Â
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.Â
Courses found:
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