Healthcare Professions

Some of the most in-demand careers in the world today are the variety of positions available in the healthcare professions. While most people would readily think of careers such as doctors or nurses, there are in fact a number of different career paths available in healthcare professions, including dentistry, pharmacy, or obstetrics, in addition to medicine and nursing.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, lists no fewer than forty-seven different careers in the healthcare field, everything from athletic trainers to veterinary technicians. Diverse jobs such speech-language pathologists, podiatrists, optometrists, and medical assistants all fall under the umbrella of healthcare professions.

Educational requirements for a career in the healthcare professions vary widely, depending upon the desired career path. Chiropractors, surgeons, dentists, and veterinarians all require doctoral degrees. Many positions, such as recreational therapists or dieticians, require a Bachelor's degree. Still other careers, such as genetic counselors or nurse anesthetists, require a Master's degree. However, there are many careers in the healthcare professions that require only an Associates' degree or high school diploma. Home health aides, nuclear medicine technologists, and radiation therapists are positions that require less educational levels.