When we think of jobs in healthcare, doctor is what typically comes to mind. After all, doctors are arguably the backbone of our healthcare system. Their expertise, commitment, and compassion play an indispensable role. However, many professionals outside the conventional profession contribute to societal well-being and enjoy the added advantage of staying fit in their daily roles.
Perhaps you want to work in healthcare but don’t want to or can’t commit to the extensive years of study that doctors go through. Luckily, there are multiple paths you can take and while you may need different CV templates to apply for various roles you have other options.
Each job in the health sector plays a unique role, from understanding the science of food to the mental intricacies of the human psyche. These roles regularly entail physical activity, direct human interaction, and a depth of knowledge that not only contributes to others’ health but to the practitioners’ well-being as well.
Why Other Health Professions Are Important
Surgeons, physicians, and other experts in the medical sector are usually the best paid, however many other professionals are critical. Looking at the UK as an example, unfortunately, many individuals are overweight or even obese.
Unhealthy diets, as well as mental health issues, can lead to poor quality of life, however, some jobs can help individuals in the following ways:
- Create a healthier diet
- Provide a training plan for the gym
- Discuss problems related to mental health
Environmental issues can also play a factor and luckily this can also be mitigated so that a healthier lifestyle can be achieved.
Potential Earnings
When choosing a career in the health sector it’s always a good idea to look at potential wages. Typically, professions that have to do with health are paid quite well.
An experienced nutritionist for example can make nearly £40,000 a year on average.
Another job in the health sector may end up making much more or less which is why conducting a thorough job search and research is essential for all professionals.
5 Jobs You Should Consider
If you’re now considering a job other than a physician in which you can help individuals improve their health and lifestyle, you won’t be short of choices.
Below, we’ll go over five typical jobs that you can think about focusing on to help people achieve a higher quality of life.
Health Coach
At the heart of the proactive health movement are health coaches. Their role isn’t just about prescribing exercises but shaping lifestyles. They provide comprehensive advice tailored to individual needs, covering nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
In an age where sedentary lifestyles and poor diet choices are common, they act as navigators, guiding individuals through the maze of health information. As a health coach, your approach would likely involve one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and even community outreaches, ensuring your clients understand the unique challenges faced by each individual.
A health coach might help a busy professional integrate short, high-intensity workouts into their routine or guide a diabetic patient in making dietary choices that regulate blood sugar. They ensure that advice is actionable, sustainable, and effective.
Nutritionist
Amidst the storm of trending diets and nutrition fads stands the unwavering expertise of nutritionists.
Nutritionists are the compass to guide us away from the large amount of conflicting dietary information. They don’t just recommend diets; they understand the science behind food and its interaction with the human body.
If you were to become a nutritionist you would need to promote informed dietary choices and deciphering food labels, they play a preventive role, ensuring individuals are fuelled correctly to fend off potential health issues.
You may be tasked with creating a protein-rich diet for a vegetarian athlete or designing a low-sodium meal plan for someone with hypertension. You’ll need to personalise advice, ensuring it aligns with individual goals and medical backgrounds.
Exercise Physiologist
Beyond the generic gym routines lies the science-backed domain of exercise physiologists. This profession is somewhat of a mix between a physiologist and a personal trainer. If you’d like to help people exercise, who have some limitations, this is the perfect job for you.
If you become an exercise physiologist you would need to design low-impact exercises for an individual with joint issues or devise cardiovascular routines for someone recovering from a heart ailment. Their work ensures that exercise is a healer, not a harm.
Exercise physiologists dive deep into the body’s physiological responses to exercise. They’re especially crucial for individuals recovering from medical conditions, ensuring that physical activity aids recovery without exacerbating existing issues.
Environmental Health Specialist
Even if we don’t realise it, our well-being is closely tied to our environment, and the professionals who attempt to safeguard this link are environmental health specialists.
By ensuring food establishments maintain stringent hygiene standards and public areas are free from health hazards, they play a pivotal role in disease prevention at a community level.
While you wouldn’t directly work with individuals you would be helping people stay healthy.
Psychologist
When we think of health, we envision someone athletic. However, mental health needs to be taken care of just as much as our bodies. Don’t forget that our mental health also can affect our physical well-being.
As a psychologist, you can help ensure people are as mentally stable as possible and ideally motivate them to stay fit.
Final Word
The diverse roles within the health sector demonstrate the essence of prevention over cure. By choosing to follow one of these professions, you can guide people towards healthier lifestyles, these professionals reduce the necessity for medical interventions.