Career in Medicine

Typical Job: Physician, nurse, orderly, technician,

Typical Work
A medical career involves numerous types of jobs. The system of caring for the sick and injured is quite intensive and requires a wide variety of professionals. Most of the positions in medical care are as doctors or nurses, although there are numerous other careers in this field, such as orderly's, technicians (operate machinery used in the hospital, x-ray or MRI for example), janitors, receptionists and security guards. Doctors and nurses usually care for patients by providing evaluations, performing surgery or other operations. Orderlies usually assist in cleaning a hospital, including the evaluation and operating rooms, while technicians are responsible for operating machinery. Receptionists check patients into the hospital or clinic, and janitors also clean the hospital. Their respective governments employ most professionals in the medical field while some are employed by private clinics, nursing homes or other institutes.

Education Necessary
The various careers in medicine require different levels of education and training. To become a doctor you will usually need to obtain a bachelor's degree at a recognized university, pass the MCAT entrance exam, and then complete four years of med school to obtain your medical doctorate, followed by a further period of specialization if you wish to specialize. To become a nurse requires that you obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing. Technicians usually go to a community college or technical school and obtain a diploma or certificate in how to operate a medical device (i.e. x-ray, MRI). Janitors and orderlies usually need no formal education.

Skills and Interests
For a career in medicine you will need certain specific skills. One of the main skills is being able to deal with the public. No matter what career you choose you will need to deal with strangers on a daily basis as well as work with other members of a team (in a hospital, clinic, nursing home etc.). You will need to be caring, patient, and able to work in stressful environments. Doctors obviously need a very technical skill set that can only be learned through education, as do nurses. Interests should include working with the public, helping others and giving back to the community. Many of the medical careers in hospitals will need to work on a shift work basis. Therefore you might want to consider this before entering a career in this field.

Salary Range
$26,000 (Orderlies) - $350,000+ (Chief Surgeon)

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