What are Examples of Health Science Careers?
Earning a degree in health sciences does not put graduates on a single career track. Rather, it prepares them to excel in a number of career fields, many of them in positions of management in the rapidly expanding healthcare industry.
The versatility of the degree is one of the reasons students are attracted to the online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree program. It can lead to both clinical and non-clinical jobs, ranging from healthcare administrator to lab technologist.
The information below from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) gives you an idea of the salary and job growth expected for health science careers.
Healthcare Administrator
One of the concentrations in the Touro University Worldwide health science bachelor degree program is in healthcare administration. Jobs as an administrator can come in many forms, including leading a hospital, a chain of doctor’s clinics, long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Many administrators oversee large departments within a hospital. It’s one of the most challenging health science careers. The position requires a blend of business knowledge and expertise in the economics of healthcare. It’s also in high demand. The number of jobs for healthcare service managers is projected to increase 20% by 2026.
The mean annual wage was $113,730 in May 2018. The states with the largest number of healthcare administrators are California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts with New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Washington D.C. employing more than other cities.
Health Educator
Health educators work with patients to preserve their health and develop habits that promote wellness. That includes advice on diet and exercise, but also extends to helping patients who are dealing with a specific condition. They also educate patients on their options when it comes to undergoing treatment or surgery. Health educators often work with individuals in certain demographics – such as the elderly – or work in community centers in underserved communities. They also work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other medical facilities.
Health educator is another health science career in demand with the number of health educators expected to increase 16% by 2026. The mean annual salary was $59,660 in May 2018.
California, New York, Florida, Georgia, and Texas employ the most health educators with New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta and Boston employing more than other cities.
Community Services Managers
Healthcare professionals who move into community service dedicate their career to helping those who live in underserved communities or are part of an at-risk community. They oversee operations at a community center, which typically includes services such as wellness promotion and health education programs. Community center workers also support neighborhoods by helping people find needed medical services.
The number of community service manager positions is expected to increase 18% by 2026. The mean annual salary for community service managers was $71,670 in May 2018.
The states with the most jobs are New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas, and Ohio with New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington D.C. hiring more community service managers than other cities.
Medical and Diagnostic Lab Director
In this position, directors oversee testing done at laboratories and ensure proper results are obtained through testing. As with all manager jobs in healthcare, overseeing a medical lab requires a focus on the needs of both the business and clinical side of healthcare. Lab directors also ensure labs meet all government and industry regulations, and recruit and hire the best staff possible for the job.
The BLS does not provide specific job projection numbers for lab managers, but they do report that the annual mean salary in May 2018 was $121,390.
Other careers you can enter with a health science degree include:
- Patient educator
- Claims reviewer
- Medical lab technician
- Health information technician
Health science careers are varied. A Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences can take your career in many possible directions. With the flexibility of online learning and the rapidly growing healthcare field, there’s never been a better time to enter a degree program that sets you up for a career where you focus on bettering the health of others.