So what other jobs can I get that are "hospital/medical" related ???

[yzf600]

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What other options are there besides going the MD or DO route ???

I haven't given up yet (crappy mcat scores, low gpa 🙁 ), but I'd like to know what types of jobs are out there that I could use as a backup if the medicine thing doesn't work out for me down the road.

Is there any place that lists and gives info. about all the different careers within the healthcare field?

thanks all

 

[yzf600]

anyone? just a quick push in the right direction to find this info.

 

[Compass]

Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, etc. All pre-allied health positions are mostly medical baesd.

 

[psychit]

.

 

[yzf600]

thanks, but i was thinking more along the line of tech. jobs and/or health management positions.

I looking for resources that will explain what these jobs are and how to pursue them.

 

[Hard24Get]

anyone? just a quick push in the right direction to find this info.

http://www.healthcareerweb.com/

 

[novawildcat]

physician's assistant. they make pretty good loot. i think PA was ranked in the top 20 best jobs by Cnn Money, Forbes, or one of those magazines.

 

[clc8503]

.

 

[clc8503]

triple posts..sorry

 

[clc8503]

What other options are there besides going the MD or DO route ???

I haven't given up yet (crappy mcat scores, low gpa 🙁 ), but I'd like to know what types of jobs are out there that I could use as a backup if the medicine thing doesn't work out for me down the road.

Is there any place that lists and gives info. about all the different careers within the healthcare field?

thanks all

Have you considered Medical Technology (Cinical Laboratory Science)? That was my major. The thing that's good about Clinical Laboratory Science is that most of the programs entail around 30 hours of biology as well as 8 hours of general chemistry (You'll have to do Organic Chemistry and Physics, so you can apply for medical school, but most medical technology/ clinical laboratory science programs do not require physics/organics. You'll have to fit them in somewhere along along the way. Anyways, the great thing about this particular major is that you get an excellent background in biology (more specifically microbiology, hematolgy, immunohematology, and clincal chemistry. The training and course depth is extensive in the subjects I have listed.) You'll also hve to take A&P, among other sciences. You get a great foundation for medical school because you also learn a great deal about the physiology of a disease, because a physicain could not accurately diagnose his or her patients with the medical technologist performing the appropriate assays and tests behind the scenes. You'll also have to spend a year in clinicals (senior year-4th year), in which you will actually work in the hospital (hands on). Anyways, I chose this major because even if I don't get into medical school, I will still have a job in healthcare that makes a difference, while making around $50,000 a year after signing bonus....DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU WORK. I recently heard that Alaska was paying close to $70,000 a year for cytotechnologists (a specialty of medical technology-1 extra year). You could choose nursing, but i believe that nursing classes are very different from upper level biology classes. I'm not knocking nursing, it's just different. This is what I obserbed from working in my schools Nursing Department a few years as a student worker, when I was an undergrad. Anyways, send me a Private message if you have any questions about this program. Biology is great, but it's hard to get a job in healthcare with just a staight bio degree. It also looks good with ADCOMS if you have actually worked in healthcare, as opposed to someone who has just shadowed. I'm not saying that working in healthcare will get you an interview to med school, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Well, good luck at whatever you decide to do.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

You can also check out the "Backup Plans" thread in this forum...lots of good ideas from people in there.

If med school did not work out for me, I would pursue a Ph.D in medical physics, and then specialize in Radiation Oncology.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

You can also check out the "Backup Plans" thread in this forum...lots of good ideas from people in there.

If med school did not work out for me, I would pursue a Ph.D in medical physics, and then specialize in Radiation Oncology.

BTW, here are some links to good info about the career:

American Association of Physicists in Medicine

American College of Medical Physics

 

[yzf600]

now we're talkin....thanks all for the info.

and about the medical physics stuff.....how much physics is really involved?....I suck at physics.

 

[On3H34rT]

I'm only 17 and I don't know much but I looked into Nuclear medicine tech.. close to 60k a year.. granted that's not extraordinary, but it's decent for the amount of schooling involved.

 

[SotaBGirl]

Along the Radiation Oncology route - the job of radiation therapist is the best kept secret. The pay is the highest among the "technologies" (therapists don't like being referred to techs), the hours are primarily 9-5 and you are able to combine physics, anatomy, oncology, nursing and biology daily. Not to mention you are with the majority of your patients for 6-8 weeks at a time - so you create unbelievable relationships at the most trying time in their fight. I know because I am one... or at least for the next 9 working days before I leave for school!

A side note about medical physics... if you are more of a researcher, want less patient contact and don't mind the off hours - this could be a good fit. But if not - well, it is clinical for a physicist (but if you are a clinician at all - you may feel out the patient direct care loop)

The best thing to do with Radiation Oncology is shadow!!!! I have never been to a department that is not open to letting interested people in for the day. It is a great field of medicine that unfortunately is often overlooked.

PM me if you have any questions=)