Health science refers to an overarching umbrella encompassing several disciplines related to getting healthcare to people and animals by science, mathematics and engineering means. Health science is the practical application of clinical practices aimed at improving health and well-being.
Traditional, Western and alternative medicine are in the health science realm. Health science has probably existed as long as people have, since humans have always dealt with sickness and maladies.
When it comes to occupations in the health science industry, the choices are abundant. Five common career paths include:
- Therapeutic services
- Health informatics
- Biotechnology
- Research and development
- Diagnostic services
Professionals working in health science can operate anywhere from hospitals to laboratories.
Where Can You Go, What Can You Do?
A degree in one of health science’s many disciplines can take professionals into many different working sectors. Some examples of potential health science employment destinations can include:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Nursing homes
- Sports arenas
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Health science jobs can be applied to many different career paths. According to “Health Careers in Minnesota” (published by the University of Minnesota’s Pre-Major Advising Office), some examples of health science jobs are:
Administration
- Healthcare Administrator: This position generally involves planning and coordinating the different aspects of healthcare delivery. Professionals working in healthcare administration typically run various facilities, programs and even budgets within their respective organizations. Their responsibilities can include budgeting, managing information and marketing systems.
Informatics
- Biomedical Photographer: Among other duties, these professionals make visual records of medical events and might even photograph a patient’s progress over time due to surgery or medication. Photographers generally are required to have a basic understanding of biological sciences. A career in biomedical photography can lead to a career as a biomedical illustrator, depending on the professional’s interests.
Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiologist: Physiologists help describe the changes expected to take place internally while people exercise. They might conduct research on topics such as muscle fatigue or muscle hypertrophy and determine how they might impact the human body. Exercise physiologists may also work with cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation patients in need.
Health Science Demand on the Rise
The multitude of career paths helps make the health science field desirable to potential students. The healthcare industry is also intertwining with technology industries to bring patients new advancements, meaning fields like health informatics may continue to see popularity growth, as they make jobs easier for doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners.
There aren’t many economic sectors taking off faster than health sciences. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for most health science occupations is expected to double, triple or even quadruple in certain careers between 2012 and 2022.
