There are many well-paying and satisfying career options in health law and life sciences. Should you be interested in these fields you have the option of pursuing studies at a college or university in person, or taking your training through an online program offered by a reputable institution such as allied health programs in Jersey City, NJ. In addition to the programs offered through allied health, there are many other careers you can consider.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
By earning an associate’s degree for this profession you can begin your career as an occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of an occupational therapist. They can help lead exercises with patients and also ensure that patients know how to use assistive devices they may need to perform some tasks. Typically, individuals who have fine motor skills issues receive treatment from occupational therapists, which means that occupational therapy assistants may work with someone recovering from a stroke or who has a developmental disability. Part of the job involves hands-on patient interaction and part of their job is administrative, involving tasks such as updating patient records. They make strong salaries. The median annual income for occupational therapy assistants was over $60,000 in 2018, which is well above the median income for all careers.
Medical Malpractice Lawyer
A medical malpractice lawyer is the person people turn to after receiving inadequate or incorrect medical treatment. Medical malpractice lawyers specialize in knowing the legal requirements for medical professionals and facilities and how to ensure that those who did not receive proper care are compensated. They are both an advocate for the wronged party and an investigator. Their job involves finding as many details related to the case as possible, which may involve interviewing witnesses and taking statements, as well as reviewing relevant documentation. They have to do a lot of research to prepare to file a lawsuit. In some cases they may negotiate a settlement for their client, while other cases may involve arguing their client’s case in front of a judge. They do need to have a bachelor’s degree and a law degree, but their education pays off with a career that typically earns them well over $100,000 annually.
Radiation Therapist
Like occupational therapists, radiation therapists can prepare for their career with two years of study. Once they’ve earned an associate’s degree in radiation therapy and obtained a license they can enter this field. They also earn strong salaries; the median income for radiation therapists is well over $77,000. Radiation therapists often work in hospitals or medical clinics, although some do work in doctors’ offices. Their primary objective is to take x-rays of patients safely. Part of their duties also involve talking to patients. They may answer questions the patient has. They are also responsible for checking their equipment regularly and making sure that it functions properly. While x-raying a patient they monitor them and have to be prepared to respond if there are any adverse reactions during the procedure. Radiation therapists also keep records and work with computers, so they need a combination of people skills and technological skills for their duties.
Health Educator
Want to work in the life sciences field but don’t want to work in a hospital? One option is becoming a health educator. These are community-based health professionals who help provide medical information to people. Part of their job may involve preparing materials so that they can reach the people in their target area and let them know about potential health concerns and treatment options. Health educators do need to have a bachelor’s degree to enter their field and they typically earn over $54,000 per year. They must have good communication skills and the ability to work with diverse people from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds.
